KIDS SURE LOVE COOKIES

HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM COOKIES?

SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Mary the Sunday School teacher is cheerful, holding a plate of Chocolate Chip cookies, saying, "I bought these homemade cookies at the Christmas Shoebox Bake Sale."

Bobby replies, "Cookies!  I love cookies!"

Mary continues, "Today we're going to talk about 'First Fruits and why we should always give our very best to God."

Liz takes a big bite, declaring, "These are so yummy."

Mary speaks, "Not everyone in the Old Testament had money to give to God.  Farmers growing wheat or barley would give their first portions of their harvest to the Lord.  Every year around Passover, Jews would celebrate first fruits harvest festival."

Bobby finishes eating and sees another plate of cookies, waiting to be served.  He says, "Mary are there any more cookies?"

Mary continues, "On that day bring two loaves of bread from your homes. That bread will be presented as an offering. Use yeast and four quarts of flour to make those loaves of bread. They will be your gift to the Lord from the first wheat of your harvest."  Leviticus 23:17  (ICB - International Childrens Bible)

Liz raises her hand, "Mary, may I have another cookie?  Please!"

Mary continues, "Giving didn't start with the Law of Moses.  It started with Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve's sons.  Abel raised sheep and gave the best of his flock to God.  Cain was a farmer and gave an offering of his produce."

Everyone in the class speaks, "We want more cookies!"

Mary holding the other plate of cookies gives each student another cookie.

Liz bites into a stale hard cookie, refusing to eat anymore.  

Mary smiles, "Sorry, those cookies came from the mark-down baked goods, from a grocery store, given to the food pantry."

Everyone refuses to finish eating the stale cookies.

Mary says, "The first cookies were fresh, and I bought with my own money.  By blessing you, I am giving Jesus my best.  The second cookies were expired food that I got for free."

Sally blurts out, "I want to give my best cookies to Jesus!"

Mary says, "God accepted Abel's offering.  But he rejected Cain's offering, because God who is all knowing, knew Cain had an attitude problem with jealously and anger."

Bobby speaks, "Abel's sheep was accepted as the first sin offering."  

Mary reads, "Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.  You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”       (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLT - New Living Translation)

Liz grins, "Do you have anything to drink?"

Mary concludes, "God loves a cheerful giver.  Whether you give money, your time, your first apples off you trees, or you first baked cookies, do it for Jesus.  Are you giving your best to God, or are you giving him stale cookies?   Who would like some Lemonade to wash down your cookies?"