As parents, one of the greatest desires we have for our children is to see them grow up with kind, compassionate, and generous hearts. My wife and I have nine children, and as we navigate the joys and challenges of parenting, we’ve realized that teaching generosity isn’t just about raising kids who share their toys or tithe their allowance. It’s about shaping their hearts to reflect God’s love and His calling to care for others.

That’s why I’m so excited to introduce this 8-part blog series on teaching your kids generosity. Over the coming weeks, we’ll explore how to lay a biblical foundation for generosity, model it as parents, and create practical opportunities for our children to give their time, talents, and resources. Each post will include a Bible-centered lesson, discussion questions, and a hands-on activity to help bring these values to life for your family.

In this first post, we’ll start by exploring why generosity matters. Together, we’ll look at what the Bible says about giving and how we can help our children understand the joy that comes from living generously. Let’s get started!

What the Bible Says About Generosity

The Bible is full of examples and teachings about the importance of giving. In Acts 20:35, Paul reminds us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This verse invites us to experience the joy that comes from giving—not out of obligation but out of a cheerful heart.

When we learn about generosity together, we’re discovering how to align our hearts with God’s plan for His people. Generosity helps us think beyond ourselves and notice the needs of others, just like Jesus did when He walked on Earth.

The Good Samaritan: Generosity in Action

Imagine you’re walking down a road and you see someone who’s been hurt. They’re lying there, unable to get up, and it’s clear they need help. That’s what happened in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37).

A man had been traveling when some robbers attacked him. They took everything he had, hurt him badly, and left him on the side of the road. He couldn’t move or call for help.

As he lay there, some people came walking by. You might think they’d stop to help—but they didn’t. One after another, they passed by, pretending not to notice.

Then, someone unexpected came along: a Samaritan. Now, during that time, people didn’t think very highly of Samaritans. But this man didn’t care what others thought of him. He saw someone who needed help, and he decided to do something about it.

The Samaritan didn’t just feel bad and walk away—he stopped and took action. He cleaned and bandaged the man’s wounds, lifted him onto his own donkey, and walked beside him to an inn. There, he paid for the man to stay until he was strong enough to continue on his way.

The Samaritan didn’t worry about how much it would cost or how inconvenient it was. He simply saw someone in need and chose to help, no matter what. That’s what it means to be generous and to show love the way God wants us to.

The Widow’s Offering: Generosity from the Heart (​​Mark 12:41–44)

One day, Jesus was sitting with His disciples near the temple, watching people give their offerings. Many rich people came by, dropping large amounts of money into the collection box. The coins made loud clinking noises, and everyone could see how much they were giving.

Then, a poor widow walked up to the box. She didn’t have much—just two small coins, worth only a tiny bit of money. She quietly dropped them in and walked away.

Jesus smiled and called His disciples over. “Did you see what that woman just did?” He asked. “She gave more than anyone else here today.”

The disciples were confused. “But, Jesus,” they said, “she only gave two small coins. Other people gave much more!”

Jesus explained, “The rich people gave from what they had left over, but this woman gave everything she had to live on. She trusted God completely and gave from her heart. That’s why her gift is the greatest of all.”

This story shows us that it’s not the size of the gift that matters—it’s the love and trust behind it. God cares more about our hearts than how much we give. Even a small gift, when given with faith and love, is very big in His eyes.

Exercise: The “Blessing Basket”

Here’s a practical activity to do as a family to learn about generosity.

Materials Needed:

• A basket or container
• Small household items, toys, or treats
• A card

Instructions:

1. As a family, let’s choose someone to bless—perhaps a neighbor, a friend, or a church member who might need encouragement (e.g., someone who is lonely, sick, or facing challenges).
2. Each child will pick one or two items to include in the basket. These could be toys, a favorite book, or homemade treats.
3. Write a kind note or card as a family, sharing words of encouragement and reminding them they are loved by God.
4. Deliver the basket together, either in person or by leaving it on their doorstep. Afterward, discuss how it feels to give and how the recipient might feel receiving it.

This simple activity will help see the joy that comes from giving and plants seeds of generosity in our hearts.

Discussion Starters

• Why do you think God wants us to be generous?
• How does it feel when someone shares with you?
• Can you think of someone we know who might need help or encouragement?