Where does the idea of sharing and giving start?  As parents we encourage our children to share and give, but as you observe little children at play they often hoard and refuse to share. 

Adults often interact in ways to demonstrate giving and sharing and children learn to repeat this activity as adults encourage it.  Then there will be times that sharing has to be commanded for it to happen.  Often this results in tears and angry words, actions or shrill noises.

Giving is something that many young children learn when they regularly attend a religious event.  Giving an offering is a common practice and as children participate they developed a habit.  Now giving because it is habitual is not recommended.  Giving from the heart will come as children age and developed a compassionate attitude.

It is truly wonderful and amazing to see the amount of gifts that are collected for this cause or that cause.  There is never a disaster or a publicized call for help that goes unheeded.  People give often when they do not actually have it to give.  

Where does this spirit of giving and sharing start?  It must be deep within each of us.  It must be something that we do because we really want to do it.