Followers of Jesus give a portion of their income to meet the needs of God's work and other people as an act of obedience and worship. In Genesis 28:10-22, we see Jacob making a vow to the Lord, worshipping Him, and giving ten percent (also called a tithe) back to God.

In reality, teaching children about money through tithes and offerings is not about giving to God. It is about reminding ourselves that we are dependent upon the One who gives all good gifts and that we are mere stewards rather than owners. Giving reflects obedience, showing that we love a God who is worthy to be obeyed in all areas of life. It is also an opportunity to participate in something bigger than ourselves with eternal value.

• MODEL IT: Start by putting 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. Let your child see that you first give money toward tithing, then savings, and so on. The Bible says, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

• TEACH IT: If your child receives money from an allowance, jobs, or gifts, take the time to help him or her divide the money wisely. A good place to start is to set aside 10% for giving, 10% for savings, and 80% for spending on other activities and items. Use the ROLLING IN MONEY activity card and stickers (download link below) to make your own boxes to help them start the habit of good stewardship.

• MARK IT: Encourage them to mark it on their My Spiritual Development Tree to emphasize the new practice.

-Rolling in Money activity.pdf

-Piggy Bank labels.pdf  

In addition to financial resources, God has also entrusted us with gifts, talents, and time. As believers, we have the great opportunity to worship and glorify God through the spiritual discipline of service. Help your child discover their unique gifts and explore how they might use those gifts to glorify Him. A few simple suggestions include:

• SHARED PASSION: Spend some time talking with your child about the things that interest and concern him or her. It will be more meaningful if you share a passion for the specific area of service.

• GOOD FIT: Help your child find good serving options. It can be as simple as baking cookies for a homebound neighbor or it can be an extended serving time such as a mission trip or meeting a particular need on a regular basis.

• SET EXPECTATIONS: Put your child more at ease by explaining what to expect. If visiting a nursing home, for example, explain he or she may encounter odd sights, sounds, and smells.

• BUILD YOUR RELATIONSHIPS: Take note of what your child does well while serving. Intentionally encourage him or her by saying you are proud of how they demonstrated a great attitude or area of strength.

• BE SAFE: Keep a close eye on one another, especially children/teens if serving in unfamiliar settings.

• TALK ABOUT IT: Ask questions when you finish serving together such as, "What kind of difference did you/we make?", "Why was it important to do this project?", "How did it impact those you served?", and "How did it impact you/your family?"

• PRAY: Take a few minutes to pray, asking God to bless those you served.

• RECORD IT: Encourage them to mark the dates and places they serve on their My Spiritual Development Tree. They can watch them add up over time and be motivated for the next opportunity.

Take advantage of these resources as you teach your children about giving and serving.

As children get older, they become ready for additional steps along the Faith Path.

Thank you for becoming intentional about guiding your child's faith journey!