How to Teach a Child to Give

Giving is such a hot topic in churches and really everywhere. We are the most skeptical customers the world has ever seen. Not only with our purchases but also with our giving we are modeling behaviors with our children that might not be what we want to actually teach them about handling money. Teaching a child to give is such an incredible burden and yet will set them up for years to come.

Just like teaching your child to pray, teaching your child to give is something that will help them develop spiritual disciplines for the rest of their life.

Here are some simple ways that you can help teach your child about money and how to give:

1. Bring cash to Church

The first way that I ever gave was by receiving a dollar bill from my mom and placing it in the plate. I can’t remember how young I was, but I remember that this was something that my mom and eventually my dad taught me about giving. We give and you can give.

Our society is becoming more and more convenient and online giving is incredibly popular, but I know I want my son to see me putting money in the plate. Straight Cash Homie.

2. Teach them about the Tithe

Giving generously is the standard that I live my life by, based on God’s word. However, I don’t know how difficult that would be for me if my parents hadn’t expected me to give my first fruits. I got money for report cards and I have to do the math to take out 10% for my offering. It wasn’t negotiable. It was required.

I automate giving and have never been at a point in my life that I’m aware of that I wasn’t giving at least 10% of my income. I’m thankful for my mom and dad taking the time to invest teaching what the Bible says about giving.

3. Use Envelopes

When my sister and I took out our money to bring to church, we put it in envelopes with our name on it. Why? So that we got a statement from the church telling us how much we gave every quarter. There is something about an “official” paper being sent to a child that is so cool. I remember being so proud of what I gave during the year.

I still look at those statements with thankfulness of what God has allowed me to see in my lifetime as a result of what I’ve learned as a child.

4. Model Well

This is true in every area, but so true in giving. Do you talk about giving at your home? Do your children know how much money that your family gives or makes? Why or Why not?

I understand that some children might be too young, but I would be interested to hear from parents of teenagers and preteens why their children don’t know how much they give or make?

Is your child being taught to be generous or greedy by your lifestyle?

5. Fuel their Passions

Your child is learning about their world and how they fit into it. This is a great way to take something that your kid is passionate about and teach them to do something about it.