The Point: Save your life in Jesus, and you shall have your life for eternity.
The Lesson: Welcome, girls and boys. Thank you for coming up to share in this time that together we might let Jesus teach us and encourage us as his family.
How many of you receive an allowance? Have you ever received any money for your birthday or as a holiday gift?
It is fun and exciting to receive a gift of money because it allows us to buy something that we really need or sometimes just want.
When I was your age, I received an allowance each week. When I got older, I earned money by delivering a weekly newspaper. From the very beginning my father taught me to handle my money in a very special way. I would give 10% to the church as my thanksgiving to God and 10% I would put in my piggy bank as a savings and the remainder I could spend. Whether you are 5 years old or 65 years old that is a wise way to handle your money.
In many ways like money we need to be wise in how we use our life. My father had some good advice here too. He said "Put your life into the hands of Jesus, and he will return it to you for eternity." Notice not 10% or 20% or 50% of our life but we are to give all our life to Jesus. When Jesus said that we are to die to self, he means that the best use of our life is to spend it on what Jesus wants us to do. To give our whole life to Jesus means that we seek his will for us and that we live our lives in a way that reflects Jesus' love for all people and his whole creation.
In return we receive eternal life. Wow, what a great return!
Prayer: Let us share a prayer together. Lord Jesus, you came that we might have the hope and promise of eternal life. Help us to put our lives into your hands that you might return it to us as eternal life. May the investment of our lives reflect your light and grace to the world around us. Amen.
