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A few years ago, a four-year-old child came into bloom, bringing her giving for the very first time. As she held her daddy’s hand, she held out her gift and said “My mommy and daddy give to Jesus every week. I want to bring my money to church to show Jesus that I love Him by sharing my money with Him just like my mommy and daddy do.” In this one statement, this preschooler summarized the heartbeat behind family rhythms of generosity.
Talk about “the why” behind your giving
As we shepherd our children, we want to connect a truth to the teaching. Our giving is a response to who God is and our thanks for all we have and all we are in Jesus. Giving is not an obligation or box to check, but an act of worship, a way to show our love to Jesus.
Set a family culture that generosity is normal
As parents, we are constantly sharing our family culture with our kids. Inviting our children into everyday family rhythms of giving sets a foundation in their hearts that in your family, generosity is normal. We can set a tone of expectation that generosity is a normal and joyful rhythm of our homes.
Tell stories of God’s faithfulness and provision to your family
Hearing stories of God’s faithfulness and provision to your family builds your child’s story of trust in their Heavenly Father. Use moments at the dinner table or as you drive along the road to tell your children stories of God’s faithfulness to your family (Psalm 145:4). Your child’s very existence is a picture of the goodness and provision of God. Your family legacy of generosity can begin with you.
Invite your child into practices of generosity
In an era of digital giving, inviting your child into practices of generosity takes more intentionality. Here are a few ideas as you think about what this might look like in your home:
- This Above + Beyond Sunday, invite your children to join you and bring their own giving money to bloom, Passion Kids or Students. Maybe this is some of their savings from chores or babysitting or maybe they can help to give your family’s A+B gift. Jesus wants us to invite our children into the rhythm of joyfully trusting him with our resources, no matter the size.
- In John 6, we see an account of a boy who shared his lunch with Jesus. Jesus took the fishes and loaves the boy’s mother had packed for him, blessed it, and then He fed over 5000 people who had come to learn from Him. In God’s holy Scripture, He chose to include a story of a child’s generosity, bringing the little that he had and seeing an exponential outcome of his gift.
- Family rhythms of generosity also include your everyday hospitality and opportunities to serve. Bring your children along when you drop off a meal to a new mom, invite them to help make cookies or pick out balloons for someone who needs cheering up, help an older neighbor with their yard, or consider serving on a Love Atlanta project together. Brainstorm as a family practical ways you can be generous together.
- In our own homes, when it’s hard for children to share toys or space or clothes, we can remind our children that our family is generous. Remembering that all we have as a gift from our Heavenly Father helps to cultivate hearts of thanksgiving.
Trust the Provider
When we give, we can also trust the provision of our Heavenly Father. He will “meet all your needs according to the riches of His great glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)
In days leading to Above + Beyond Sunday, pray together as a family that Jesus would show you how you can be generous together. We are excited and expectant for the families of our House to begin the journey of generosity and lean into the story Jesus is writing in and through Passion City Church!
Grateful to partner with your family in the journey of raising your children,
Passion City Church Family Ministries