Jim Elliot once wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
“Generous” might not be the first word that comes to mind when you think about pro athletes, but Kirk Cousins is rewriting that playbook. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback in the NFL is using his platform—and resources—for eternal impact. Today, we’ll hear how his faith shapes everything from football to finances.
Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons and a veteran leader in the National Football League (NFL). He previously spent six seasons with the Washington Commanders and six with the Minnesota Vikings. A four-time Pro Bowler and outspoken man of faith, he is also the cofounder of the Julie & Kirk Cousins Foundation, which supports families and youth through faith-based initiatives.
A Legacy of Generosity: Lessons from His Parents
Growing up as a pastor’s kid, Cousins remembers how his parents modeled generosity long before he had a bank account of his own.
“My mom had the gift of hospitality,” he says. “Even when I didn’t think I needed money, she’d hand me two twenties before I went out with friends. There was just this open-handedness.”
While his dad managed the family finances with intentionality, it was his mother’s willingness to give freely that left the deepest mark. “It was caught, not just taught,” Cousins reflects, emphasizing how their example shaped his understanding of stewardship early on.
From Minimum Wage to Signing Bonuses: A Crash Course in Stewardship
When Cousins was drafted into the NFL, his first check—a six-figure signing bonus—was a wake-up call.
“As a college kid who had never earned more than minimum wage, I didn’t know what to do,” he recalls. “I called my dad, and he said, ‘I don’t know either!’”
That moment marked the beginning of a stewardship journey—one that included learning to give, save, and live below his means in a world of excess. It wasn’t easy, especially when surrounded by peers embracing a more lavish lifestyle. But Cousins understood that as an athlete, his income had a shorter runway.
“You’re approaching a cliff,” he says. “So it’s scary to give when your career has an end date. But that’s where faith comes in—trusting that God will provide beyond your own earning power.”
It would be easy, Cousins admits, to treat financial obedience like a checklist—give, save, repeat. But biblical stewardship isn’t about rules; it’s about surrender.
“I’ve done that—just checked the boxes. But that’s not the abundant life Jesus promises. It’s not religion, it’s relationship.”
He points to Jesus’ parable of the treasure in the field (Matt. 13:44): “Once you see Jesus as the treasure, everything else becomes a logical response. Of course you’d sell everything to have Him. Stewardship flows from seeing Him clearly.”
When Faith Feels Risky: Giving on a Diminishing Timeline
The tension for Cousins lies in balancing the enjoyment of God’s provision with wisdom about the future.
“I actually enjoy those moments that require more faith. When I give, and I don’t know what’s next, it puts the pressure back on God—where it belongs.”
But he’s quick to acknowledge the gray areas. “What’s wise versus what’s excessive? There’s no formula. You have to walk with God and ask for His guidance daily.”
One of the most valuable pieces of advice Kirk received early in his career came from a generous mentor: “Always give in unity with your wife.”
That advice stuck.
“When Julie isn’t comfortable, I pause and pray. Her perspective might be the Holy Spirit speaking. Giving together strengthens our marriage and our stewardship.”
Cousins sees their giving not only as a financial decision, but as a spiritual discipline of u
