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How Do You Teach Kids & Teens to Become Generous?

Apr 1, 2008 Authored by Lee Rabe | Category: Spiritual Life

What ideas do you have for growing generosity in kids or teens?

Our generosity seems to kick in around the holidays, but Jesus way of generosity is a yearlong — and lifelong — practice. The funny thing about giving back is that once you start, it's hard to stop. Here's how to help children gain a positive attitude about becoming generous people.

Even small children can understand that others kids may not be as blessed as them. To that end, they can be encouraged to get into the habit of giving back and sharing all that they have.  If they receive or want a new toy, encourage them to part with an older toy that's in good shape and can be enjoyed by another child.  The same goes for gently used clothes. When you're grocery shopping, show your children that you're buying an extra can or two as a food bank donation. At Threads, explain to your kids where your contribution goes and whom it helps. Giving back to God is a habit like anything else.

Parents can teach and model to their kids from a very young age to put aside money for bringing back to God. A standard rule of thumb is for any gift or allowance money to be divided into savings, giving and personal spending.  In our family, we have three banks setup for each of our kids.  There is the giving bank (10%), the savings bank (10%), and the spending bank (80%).  Over the years of this practice, our kids have really begun to own this for themselves.  There have been a number of times when they have approached us and asked if it would be ok to give more from out of their spending money.  It’s cool to see a generous heart grow in a child/teen.

You might want to encourage the giving part of the equation by matching the amount your children are giving to God.  To make their giving practice more concrete, explain how Threads is a blessing to our community.  Use specific examples of what Threads has been doing to address the need of people in our community.  Explain how much money it takes to pay for one month’s rent for a person who has been laid off, or how just one week of distributing a small amount of fresh fruits/vegetables to 100 families costs $200.

In Kids Community (ages birth-5^th grade) we are bringing ministry opportunities to kids on their level.  Read the story from a recent K.C. Backyard (K-5^th grade) project.  As youngsters hear the stories from what they have done, they may be shocked that so many children think getting a scarf is something special.

As kids get older, they can begin to understand more clearly how their generosity has a positive impact and makes them understand they are a part of something much bigger than themselves. That’s why we intentionally plan for our student groups - FUEL (6^th-8^th grade) or Essence (9^th-12^th grade) - to serve as a part of their faith development.

It helps them get outside of themselves when they see the happy faces of nursing home residents when you go to play checkers with them.  If your children have a relative with breast cancer, they may feel helpless, but tell them they can hand out water to runners raising money to fight breast cancer, and they will feel powerful.

In the end, that's what you want: children who understand God has called us to make a difference and are empowered by it.

So, what ideas can you share for growing generosity in kids or teens?