Teaching children to care

As communications coordinator for the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), Simon Chambers knows a thing or two about spreading the word. And he’s using his well-honed communications skills to teach his two young sons-Scott, 8, and Mark, 5-how to live the Five Marks of Mission, especially those that concern stewardship and service.

Each week, Scott and Mark receive an allowance of $3 each. No chores are attached to this money, but there are conditions. One dollar is for spending, one dollar is for saving and one dollar is for giving back.

“We wanted them to grow up as people who give back and to know that, as Canadians, we are among the richest people in this world,” he says. “Our gospel call is to give back to God; that is part of the impetus for tithing and it goes all the way back to the Old Testament.”

The boys have discretion as to where they donate the third dollar. “They’ve given to the local library so that people can have access to books and learn to read,” he says. “They’ve also donated to the Toronto Zoo’s endangered animal fund.” But most weeks, they donate their dollars to the PWRDF, which supports a number of environmental initiatives.

Every now and then, one of the boys will want to keep his tithe. Most weeks, though, the boys hand back one dollar without protest. “This is what we’ve taught them since they started having money, so in their minds, that’s just what you do,” says Chambers. Scott, he adds, is looking to take on extra chores for a fourth dollar to put toward long-term savings.