Teaching Kids to Give

Children seemingly are born with naturally generous hearts. From a very tender age, they are continually bringing you little treasures – a carefully chosen rock, a freshly picked flower, or frequent hugs. Yet as they get older - and grasp the twin concepts of more stuff and having their own stuff - it can sometimes become a challenge to make giving as joyful an experience as receiving.

How do you teach children to be joyful givers? The process begins with us. As much as we may sometimes regret it, children mimic what we do, not what we say. How we approach giving will have a far greater and more enduring impact than anything we tell them. So where do we even begin teaching kids to give to God and to others? We can look to the example of The Parable of the God Samaritan, who gave his time to help the robbed man, his talents to tend to the victim’s wounds and his treasure to pay for the man’s lodging. Then, we can lead by example, showing them how we give, teaching them to give, and working together as a family to share the resources God has entrusted us with. Here are some tangible ways to begin the process:

Time

• You: One of the most vital ways to be good stewards of our time is to make time for God. Make attending weekly Mass a necessity. When your children see you make this an uncompromising habit, it demonstrates the primacy of God in your life. Note that this means cheerful attendance at Mass – don’t begrudge the time, actively participate, and don’t bowl over fellow parishioners in your rush to get out of the parking lot to get to breakfast.
• Them: Help children set aside time for God each and every day. When they are young, this may be as simple as ensuring that they say their prayers every night. As they grow, encourage them to spend a few minutes reflecting on how they have seen God working in their lives that day.
• Together: The family that prays together stays together – so do it! Every family is different, so make this ritual reflect your unique prayer style. Read a Bible chapter. Say a favorite prayer. Recite a decade of the rosary. Do a daily devotion. Whatever best unites your family in shared prayer time.

Talent

• You: Take an active role in your church, in whatever way you are most comfortable. Serve as an usher, sing in the choir, teach Faith Formation or join a prayer group. Whatever your talent is, share it with God not just once, but week in and week out.
• Them: Help your children discover their own talents. When they are young, have them by your side as you volunteer. As they get older, encourage them to participate in church activities that speak to them.
• Together: Find a way you can all serve together. Help with a Habitat for Humanity home. Serve dinner at a homeless shelter. Have the kids help choose your family activity.

Treasure

• You: It might sound simplistic, but putting your envelope in the offertory week in and week speaks volumes. When your kids are young, have them put the envelope in the basket, since they can easily relate to this tangible gesture. If you give online, place a pew card in the basket indicating that. One note, when children are young, consistency of giving is more important than the amount. (And it goes without saying that the amount you give is relative to your family’s financial situation.) Just realize that as they mature, kids will question your level of commitment if you typically spend more on a caffeinated beverage than you place in the plate.
• Them: As soon as they start to get money – either through gifts or an allowance, children are old enough to give back. We bought three simple dollar store banks and wrote, Save, Spend and Give on each. Our son is expected to divide whatever he gets among the three, in whatever way he feels so called.
• Together: One of the most important things you can do is include your children in financial discussions in whatever level they can understand. As they hear you and your spouse decide where and how to spend your finite resources, which charities to support, and why you do so, they will learn to prioritize their own gifts.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)