Ruth Jackson from Stewardship helps Christian parents think about encouraging generosity in their youth and children
Nurturing a spirit of generosity in children and young people is integral to encouraging their faith. The more they understand God’s lavish generosity towards them, the more likely they are to want to be generous themselves. A generous spirit will, in turn, deepen their faith as they witness the positive impact of their generosity on the world around them. Parents clearly have a pivotal role to play in shaping their children’s attitudes towards giving—but how exactly can they do this?
Grow generous hearts
Biblical generosity is about cultivating a heart that reflects God’s love for others. The Bible teaches that giving is a joyful act—one that blesses both the giver and the recipient (Acts 20:35). Encouraging children to see generosity as a way of life helps them understand that their resources, time, and talents are gifts that God intends them to use to bless others.
Show the way
When children witness generosity modelled by their parents—through acts of kindness, charitable donations, or offering hospitality—they are more likely to adopt these behaviours themselves. Talk to your children about the different ways in which you choose to be generous, and share stories of the encouragement and joy that giving creates for everyone involved.
model and encourage generosity, and you will guide your children towards a lifetime of giving rooted in faith and love
Encouraging findings
The Stewardship Generosity Report 2025 provides valuable insights into giving behaviours across different age groups. One of the key findings is that the youngest age category (18–24) gives the highest proportion of their income—11%—and that they are particularly loyal to their church in their giving, with 80% making a regular average gift of £98, which represents the highest value among all age groups. This group is also almost twice as likely to be committed Christians, further supporting another key finding: that more engaged practice leads to greater generosity.
Another insight to emerge from the report is that while generosity varies across denominations, both the depth of Christian practice and conversations around generosity have the greatest influence on giving. Talking to your children about giving as an integral part of faith really can create a legacy of generosity that has a long-term impact.
Five practical ways to teach your children about generosity
- Explain why we give - Discuss with children why generosity is important and how God calls us to be cheerful givers. Share stories from the Bible and from your own life that highlight how giving can make a difference. One powerful story is that of the poor widow, who is commended by Jesus in Mark 12:41–44 for giving more than all the others; while she only gave two small coins, they were all she had. Helping children adopt a mindset of abundance that trusts in God’s provision will be instrumental in encouraging them to give freely.
- Make giving a family business - Include your children in decisions about charitable giving. Ask them to help choose a cause to support—financially or through volunteering—such as packing food parcels, shopping for a sick neighbour, or fundraising for a cause they care about. This collaborative approach makes generosity a shared family value.
- Encourage them to develop a giving habit - If children receive pocket money or have a job that gives them a bit of income, encourage them to set aside a portion for giving. Helping them build this habit from a young age, even from small amounts, teaches valuable lessons about wise stewardship and prioritising generosity.
- Create opportunities for them to help others - We know generosity involves using all our resources to bless others. Encourage children to look for ways to serve—helping a neighbour, volunteering at church, or simply offering a listening ear to a friend. These acts of service will help them become active members of the body of Christ and begin to see how they can play their part in helping others.
- Celebrate when they give - Acknowledge and affirm acts of generosity. When children give, take time to talk about how their actions have impacted others. Celebrating these moments reinforces the value of generosity and encourages continued giving.
Shaping the future through generosity
By fostering a family culture of generosity, parents have an incredible opportunity to raise a generation that embeds generosity into their daily lives as an integral part of their faith. Parents’ influence is powerful—model and encourage generosity, and you will guide your children towards a lifetime of giving rooted in faith and love.
