Teaching Kids To Give

Teaching Kids to Give – Episode 228

Giving –

We want kids that are giving and loving. We want kids that are helpful. We want well-rounded kids, and we want to give our kids everything but we don’t want to spoil them – how is there a balance? We don’t want our children to have a sense of entitlement. How do we combat this? One way is by teaching our children to give.

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Giving doesn’t always come naturally. For some it does, but for others, it must be taught. Knowing your child’s love languages is helpful but normally a child’s love language is not developed until later. Here is a podcast I did on love languages: (HERE)

With all of the disasters that have happened recently, it is a springboard to talking to children about giving to others less fortunate. Giving makes us feel good – it is a fact, and what a beautiful thing!

Teach the firstfruits principle by having kids donate their shiniest coins or the money at the top of the allowance pile. Discuss the widows’ mite – she gave all she had – she gave the best, not from her extras – great example.

If we expect our kids to give we must be examples. Often we are exhausted with all that happens in our daily lives, but explaining that being a mom and dad is by definition, self-giving.
Every day examples are the best. How can you best give? Making the bed for a sibling – for parents, etc. Start small. The goal is for giving to be second nature.
Giving as a lifestyle – we want our children to be good stewards but also to be

Goal? Giving is not just at Christmas Time:

Some great resources –

Tykoon: https://www.tykoon.com/

Ways to give – make your own list with your children.

Giving clothes
Gently used toys
Helping neighbors
Birthday gifts for others
If you give your child an allowance, teach them the three/four part saving system – one for saving, one for spending and one for donating (4^th is one for investing) – encourage your child to think about what they’d like to do with the money. “Poor box” at church, local food bank, etc.
Christmas | Bringing stuff to families
Helping elderly
Give as a family by sponsoring a child, supporting missionaries
Responding to a news story. Even if kids aren’t giving money, they can write letters or make something for the individual(s) in need. (Be sure to share any pictures, letters or thank you notes you receive with your children.)
Let kids cook with you when you’re preparing a meal for a sick friend or cookies for an elderly neighbor.

Scriptures on Giving:

(I Corinthians 16:2) – On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made
(Luke 21:1-4) –As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
(II Corinthians 9:6-7) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
(Matthew 6:19-21) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Luke 6:38) “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

God also made some bold promises concerning rewards for His good and faithful servants if they would first trust Him to care for them (Malachi 3:10, Deuteronomy 15:10).