GIF Teaching Children About Generosity and Work

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6 NIV).

Teaching Children About Generosity and Work
by Chuck Bentley

As a parent, you want your children to be successful in life, and one area they really need to get right is handling money. Children need to learn that God owns everything and that we are His stewards. And, they must learn to serve Him, not money, and be content with what He provides.

Following are three ideas for helping your children develop an understanding of these important principles.

First, teach your children to be generous, especially toward the poor. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35 NIV). This is the greatest possible hedge against materialism, and it will bring your children priceless joy and prepare them for supporting God’s work in their generation.

Second, your children need to learn the benefits of work. Proverbs 14:23 says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (NIV). Work is a blessing, not a curse. Model hard work and diligence for your children, and they will learn that our work gives glory to God.

Third, help your children discover the skills and talents God has given them and encourage them to excel at what they do. Excellence combined with humility will equip your children to become salt and light in the workplace. (See Matthew 5:13-16.)

Daily Scripture Reading:

2 Kings 20
2 Chronicles 32:24-33
Isaiah 38-39