💝The Heart of Generous Giving
Watching a five-year-old carefully place crumpled dollar bills into the church offering plate, knowing they've chosen to give from their own piggy bank, reveals something profound: generous hearts can be cultivated at any age. Yet many Christian parents struggle with teaching tithing to children, unsure how to explain this ancient biblical practice in ways that build joyful generosity rather than legalistic obligation.
📖Biblical Foundation: Why We Tithe
The Theology of Tithing
Tithing—giving the first 10% of our income to God—isn't primarily about funding church budgets. It's about acknowledging who owns everything.
"'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.'"
— Leviticus 27:30 (NIV)
The Hebrew word for tithe (ma'aser) literally means "tenth." From the earliest biblical times, God's people gave the first tenth as an acknowledgment that everything belongs to Him. We're not giving God a portion of our money—we're returning to Him what was always His.
Tithing Throughout Scripture
- •Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:20) before the law was given
- •Jacob vowed to give God a tenth of all he received (Genesis 28:22)
- •The Law formalized tithing for Israel (Leviticus 27:30-32, Deuteronomy 14:22-29)
- •Malachi rebuked Israel for withholding tithes, calling it robbing God (Malachi 3:8-10)
- •Jesus affirmed tithing while emphasizing the heart matters more than mechanics (Matthew 23:23)
- •New Testament emphasizes cheerful, generous giving beyond minimum requirements (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
— 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
💭Understanding the Heart of Tithing
What Tithing Is NOT
Before teaching children what tithing is, clarify common misconceptions:
✅Right Understanding of Tithing
- •
- •Worship expression: Giving is an act of worship acknowledging God as provider
- •Trust demonstration: Giving first (not last) shows we trust God with the rest
- •Kingdom participation: Our tithes support God's work in the world
- •Generosity training: Tithing prevents selfishness and cultivates generosity
- •Obedience opportunity: It's a tangible way to obey and honor God
❌Wrong Motives for Tithing
- •
- •Not a prosperity formula: "Give 10% and God will make you rich" reduces God to a cosmic vending machine
- •Not earning salvation: We can't purchase God's favor with money; salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- •Not legalistic obligation: New Testament giving is from love, not law
- •Not optional tip for God: It's acknowledging His ownership, not tipping Him for services rendered
- •Not just for adults: If children have income (allowance, gifts, jobs), they can participate in giving
The Core Principle
👨👩👧👦Teaching Tithing by Age
👶Preschool/Early Elementary (3-7)
👶Elementary Age (8-12)
Teaching Malachi 3:8-10
This passage can be taught age-appropriately to elementary kids:
"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'"
— Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
Simple explanation: \"God says 'Try Me! Give what I ask and watch what I do!' God loves generous hearts and He always takes care of people who trust Him with their money.\"
👶Teens (13-18)
Challenging Teens to Think Bigger
Teens can understand more radical giving concepts:
- •Lifestyle choices: Living below their means so they can give more
- •Career decisions: Choosing careers that allow for both income and kingdom impact
- •Graduated tithing: As income increases, increase giving percentage (15%, 20%, 50%)
- •Time and talent: Giving isn't just money—it's also volunteering time and using skills for ministry
- •Advocacy: Using their voice for causes that matter to God (justice, orphans, poverty)
❤️Cultivating Cheerful Giving
The Attitude Matters More Than the Amount
Jesus made this clear when He observed the widow's offering:
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'"
— Mark 12:41-44 (NIV)
Teach children: God doesn't need our money (He owns everything!). What He wants is our hearts. The widow gave two cents with a whole heart, and Jesus said that was worth more than thousands given from pride or duty.
How to Cultivate Cheerful Givers
✅Creates Joyful Giving
- •
- •Focus on God's generosity to us first ("Look at all God gives us!")
- •Celebrate giving as privilege, not punishment
- •Let children see impact of their giving (letters from sponsored child, etc.)
- •Make giving a joyful family event, not tedious task
- •Give together as a family to special causes
- •Share stories of how God has provided for your family
- •Model cheerful, sacrificial giving yourself
❌Creates Reluctant Giving
- •
- •Guilting or shaming children into giving ("Good Christians tithe")
- •Making giving feel like losing something
- •Never explaining where the money goes or what it accomplishes
- •Treating giving as boring obligation, not worship
- •Forcing giving without teaching the why
- •Complaining about money pressures while requiring them to give
- •Being stingy yourself while demanding they be generous
🎯Practical Giving Activities for Families
Make Giving Tangible and Fun
✅Action Items
Sponsor a child together: Use Compassion International or World Vision. Let kids write letters and pray for their sponsored child
Birthday giving project: Instead of gifts, kids ask for donations to a charity they choose
Serve at a food bank: Don't just give money—give time. Let them see who they're helping
Operation Christmas Child: Shop together for shoeboxes to send to children overseas
Lemonade stand for missions: Kids earn money specifically to give away
Church work day: Volunteer as family for church maintenance/service projects
Adopt a family at Christmas: Provide gifts and groceries for family in need
Angel Tree: Select tags and shop for children of incarcerated parents
Thanksgiving food drive: Each family member brings item to donate
Missionary care packages: Send encouraging gifts to missionaries your church supports
The Power of Giving Stories
Stories create emotional connection and lasting lessons. Share these types of stories regularly:
- •Biblical generosity: The early church sharing everything (Acts 2:44-45), the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
- •Historical heroes: George Müller's orphanages funded through prayer, R.G. LeTourneau giving 90% of his income
- •Missionary stories: Hudson Taylor, William Carey, Amy Carmichael—people who gave everything for the gospel
- •Family stories: Times when God provided after your family gave sacrificially
- •Current impact: Share testimonies from your church or sponsored organizations about lives changed through giving
💬Answering Kids' Questions About Tithing
Common Questions and Biblical Answers
Questions from Younger Kids
\"Why do we give money to church?\"
\"Churches need money to pay the pastor, keep the lights on, send missionaries, help poor people, and teach about Jesus. Our giving helps all that happen!\"
\"Can I keep my birthday money?\"
\"You can keep 90%! The first 10% belongs to God. You get to choose what to do with most of it—God just asks for the first part.\"
\"What if I want to keep it all?\"
\"Everything we have comes from God. When we give back a little, we're saying 'Thank you, God!' It makes Him happy when we share.\"
Questions from Older Kids/Teens
\"Is tithing still required for Christians?\"
\"Tithing was part of the Old Testament law. Under grace, we're called to cheerful, generous giving—which often means MORE than 10%, not less. The question isn't 'How little must I give?' but 'How generous can I be?'\"
\"What if the church misuses the money?\"
\"We're responsible for giving faithfully; church leaders are accountable to God for using it wisely. If you have concerns about financial transparency, discuss them with church leadership. But don't let others' potential failures prevent your obedience.\"
\"Can I give to charity instead of church?\"
\"The Bible emphasizes giving to support your local church body (1 Corinthians 9:14, Galatians 6:6). Many Christians tithe to their church and give additional offerings to other ministries. Both/and, not either/or.\"
⚠️What NOT to Teach About Tithing
Avoiding Harmful Teachings
- •DON'T teach prosperity gospel: "Give to get rich" is manipulation, not biblical teaching. God promises to provide, not to make us wealthy
- •DON'T make it transactional: "I gave $10, so God owes me $100" reduces God to a spiritual ATM
- •DON'T use guilt or fear: "If you don't tithe, God will punish you" creates anxious obedience, not joyful worship
- •DON'T ignore heart issues: Tithing with a bitter heart is worse than not tithing at all (1 Corinthians 13:3)
- •DON'T create legalism: 10% is a starting point, not a finish line. Grace calls us to radical generosity, not minimum compliance
- •DON'T emphasize money over character: Generous hearts matter more than generous wallets. Teach character first, then finances follow
🌟The Ultimate Goal: Kingdom Hearts
Beyond Tithing to Radical Generosity
Pray for Generous Hearts
Ultimately, generous hearts come from the Holy Spirit's work, not parental techniques. Pray regularly for your children:
- •That they would grasp how generous God has been to them
- •That they would find more joy in giving than receiving
- •That they would trust God's provision and not cling to money in fear
- •That they would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings to give
- •That they would use their resources strategically for kingdom impact
- •That they would be protected from materialism and greed
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
— 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
🎯Action Steps for Parents
✅Action Items
Start a three-jar system (Give/Save/Spend) with your younger children this week
Calculate 10% with your elementary kids—make the math real and practical
Open a separate giving account for your teen if they have a job
Choose one ministry project to support as a family this month
Share a personal story of God's provision when you gave sacrificially
Schedule a family service project at a local ministry
Read a biblical generosity story together and discuss it
Evaluate your own tithing—are you modeling what you're teaching?
Pray with your children specifically about generosity and giving
Celebrate when you see your children give cheerfully—make it a big deal!
Final Encouragement
Teaching children to tithe cheerfully is one of the greatest financial gifts you can give them. They'll grow into adults who know the freedom of generosity, the peace of trusting God's provision, and the joy of participating in kingdom work.
These children will give to their churches, support missionaries, care for the poor, and fund gospel work around the world. They'll teach their own children to give. They'll break the cycle of materialism and greed that enslaves so many. They'll experience the "more blessed to give than to receive" life Jesus promised.
Start today. Start small. Use the tools appropriate for their age. Be patient when they're reluctant—it's a heart transformation, not just a habit. Model it yourself. And trust that God will honor your faithful teaching as you raise children who hold treasure in heaven, not here on earth.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
— Matthew 6:21 (NIV)