My biggest lesson in generosity came in a moment I will never forget. It happened on a Sunday morning just before services began. One of “my kids” (I call all the church kids “my kids”) asked if he could talk to me before church started. I’ll be honest, I was in a bit of a hurry, but I could see his grandma standing close by with a smile on her face so I knew it was important. As I knelt to get eye-level with Joey, he handed me a paper bag. A very heavy paper bag. I’ll never forget what we said next – “There’s $213.71 in there. Maybe $213.72. We kept losing count of the pennies. Gran and I counted it last night. I want to give it to the church. Gran said the church will use it to help others know about Jesus. I want to everyone to know about Jesus!” Joey didn’t just wake up that morning and decide to hand over his life savings to the church. He did it because his family had been teaching him the importance of generosity. In that moment on a busy Sunday morning, Joey reminded me that serving others means giving freely and selflessly of our time, talent and resources.
As parents, one of our most important roles is to teach our children things that will help them grow into kind, compassionate, and giving individuals who are rooted in their faith. One of those things, generosity, can sometimes be difficult to teach. Especially when the world around us emphasizes materialism and personal success. However, as we help our children grow in their faith, teaching them generosity is important. Because generosity is not just something we do, but a way we reflect God's love and goodness to others. By teaching our children to be generous, showing them how to love and serve others. I have a friend that often says, “We look most like Christ when we serve others.” Sharing of our time, talent and resources is something we can do at any age. As The Grove prepares to be “All In” in 2025, I encourage you to have conversations with your kids about the importance of generosity. Below of some ways you can start:
Model Generosity
Children learn by watching. If you want your child to be generous, be a role model of generosity. Share with them when you give to others—whether it's financially, with your time, or through acts of kindness. Talk to them about how you make decisions to help others, whether it’s volunteering, making a monetary donation, or simply offering a helping hand to someone.
Make It A Family Activity
Make giving a family tradition. This could be anything from having a family giving jar that everyone contributes to, volunteering together, or donating clothes and toys they no longer use. By doing it as a family, your children will feel a sense of ownership and pride in being generous.
Teach Gratitude
Generosity comes from gratitude. Teach your children to recognize the blessings they have in their lives and encourage them to share out of that abundance. Take time each day to reflect on what you are thankful for as a family and discuss how you can share these blessings with others.
Teach Them the Value of Time and Talents
Generosity isn’t just about giving our resources; it’s also about sharing our time and talents. Encourage your children to think of ways they can use their skills and abilities to bless others. This could be something like helping a friend with homework or using their creative talents to make cards to spread a little kindness.