Age 9 is a great time to teach your child to be a good steward of God’s blessings, which is why we’ve created the Giving milestone. As the primary faith trainer of your child, it is both your privilege and responsibility to help them see the importance of gratitude and generosity and begin their own journey of giving to God out of the resources He’s provided.

In reality, teaching children about money through the practice of offerings is not just about giving to God. It reminds us that we trust in and are dependent upon the One who gives all good gifts and that we are mere stewards rather than owners. It’s also an opportunity to participate in something bigger than ourselves with eternal value.

As weighty as this reality is, it is inescapable: Whether our children know how to be generous is often up to their parents. Teaching children to give financially is a great step in helping children to become generous. Teaching children to be generous does more than rescue them from a life of selfishness – it gifts them with an abundance of positive experiences as well.

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Walking out this step of Giving can include explaining some of the following truths to your child:

• Genesis 14:20 records the first act of tithing from Abraham to Melchizedek. Later we see Jacob making a vow to the Lord, worshipping Him, and giving back ten percent (Genesis 28:10-22).
  
• We see God creating among His people a culture of gratitude by setting apart for the Lord every tithe of the land (seed or fruit), and of the animals (Leviticus 27:30-32), and a culture of generosity by giving to the poor from the heart (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).
  
• Jesus assumed we would give to the needy (Matthew 6:2-4), but that we shouldn’t just give while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).
  
• Paul instructed the Corinthians to steward their financial gifts, reminding them to give cheerfully and generously for God’s glory (2 Corinthians 9:6-15).
• Followers of Jesus are to give a portion of their income to meet the needs of God's work and other people as an act of obedience and worship.

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Guiding your children to give cheerfully this year will involve two key elements:

1. Personally Model It
   
   • Put into practice the disciplines you want your child to learn. This may mean taking steps to become a better steward of your family’s finances. Invite them to see how your family decides to spend money (giving, savings, bills, etc.). Let them see you giving cheerfully.
   • 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” Model a thankful heart. Express aloud your thankfulness for God's provision of your family's daily needs. When God provides for your family in unexpected ways in times of crisis, call attention to His faithfulness by having a special time of prayer and thanksgiving.
2. Intentionally Teach It
   
   • Explain what the Bible teaches about giving – how it is an act of faith, and how we are the managers, not the owners, of all the resources God has placed in our care. If your child receives money from an allowance, jobs, or gifts, take the time to have them consider what they may give and divide their money wisely. A simple place to start may be to set aside 10% for giving, 10% for savings, and 80% for spending on other activities and items. You could even have them make three boxes labeled “Give,” “Save,” and “Spend” to help them start the habit of good stewardship. Explain how money is used when it is given to the church. If you have older children and teens, discuss the church budget with them.
   • Introduce your children to missionaries, residents, or the ministry personnel of our church and discuss how giving help them do God's work.
   • Participate in ministry and missions as a family so your children can see their own giving at work.