Generosity can begin with a simple gift, but when it becomes a family rhythm, its impact can last for generations.
Most parents want their children to grow into generous adults—people who see what God has entrusted to them as something to be stewarded for His purposes and the good of others. But generosity rarely develops by accident. It is cultivated over time through example, experience, and intentional practice.
Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors and Co-Founder of Women Doing Well, joins the show today to encourage families to begin teaching generosity early and continue nurturing it through every stage of life.
The goal is not simply to raise children who give money, but to help them discover the joy of living generously with everything God has provided.
Start by Modeling Generosity
Young children may not understand much about money yet, but they are always watching.
That makes the early years an ideal time to model generosity through simple, tangible experiences. Parents might take their children grocery shopping for items to donate to a local food pantry, allowing them to choose the food and deliver it.
The lesson is simple: We have something we can share, and together, we can use it to help someone else.
Families can also find creative ways to connect generosity with celebrations. Sharon suggests hosting a “reverse birthday party,” where guests bring items for a ministry or charity the child helps select.
Another simple practice is keeping blank cards nearby so children can draw pictures or write encouraging notes for someone who may be lonely, sick, or going through a difficult season.
None of these activities requires a child to understand complex financial concepts. They simply allow children to see generosity in action.
Give Children Hands-On Opportunities to Serve
As children grow, parents can begin inviting them into more direct experiences of giving.
One powerful approach is volunteering together at a local ministry, especially an organization serving other children or families. Serving side by side allows generosity to become something children experience personally rather than merely hear about.
Families might also consider sponsoring a child through a trusted ministry. Sharon shared how her own daughter began sponsoring a child at age five and continued that relationship as they both grew older.
Experiences like these can help children recognize that generosity is relational. It is not simply about transferring money from one place to another. It is about seeing people, caring about their needs, and responding with compassion.
Connect Generosity to a Teenager’s Passions
As children enter their teenage years, their interests and passions become clearer. That creates an opportunity to help them connect generosity with the things they already care about.
A teenager who loves the outdoors, for example, might become interested in supporting a Christian camp ministry. A young person passionate about sports might enjoy serving through an organization that uses athletics to mentor children.
Families can also make service part of their normal rhythms.
Spring break or other holidays, for instance, can include opportunities to serve together. Sharon shared that her children participated in spring break mission trips while growing up. Those experiences became so meaningful that they continued serving during college because generosity had simply become part of what their family did.
That is one of the most powerful lessons parents can pass along: Generosity is not an occasional project. It can become part of the way we live.
Let Generosity Involve Sacrifice
Biblical generosity often involves more than giving fr
