Biblical generosity is a common theme in many well known stories. But just because we understand the meaning, doesn’t mean our children do! Help them understand what it means to be generous through Bible teachings!

Generosity means giving up something, typically in large amounts. Perhaps cutting a big slice of cake for someone, or donating a large sum of money for a good cause.

The thing is, it isn’t the size of the donation, but instead the size of the heart giving it away. Giving away a big slice of cake and then eating the rest yourself isn’t generous! This is the important lesson children need to learn.

When we give, we need to give with a willing heart, not a selfish heart. Here are 3 biblical generosity stories that you can use to help your children understand giving!

Biblical Generosity for Kids!

Mark 12:41-44 – The Widow’s Offering

A great example of generosity coming from the heart is the widow in Mark 12:41-44. She gave two small coins, all she had, while rich people gave large amounts of money. Her gift was a sacrifice, their gift was simply a percentage of their wealth.

Jesus explained that her gift was worth more because of her heart position. She gave out of generosity but also because she trusted God to care for her in all circumstances, so she was willing to give all she had for Him.

Those who gave more, were doing it to “look good” instead of doing it out of a good heart. Their “gift” wasn’t worth as much in the eyes of God because God doesn’t look at how much we give, but instead, the heart giving it!

Application for Kids

Tell your children that generosity shouldn’t be something we do to show off. It isn’t something that we do with alterior motives, secret desires for ourselves. We should give because we want God to use our gifts.

Have your children look at all the wonderful things you have. Say a quick prayer of thanks! Remind them that the next time their sibling(s) want to play with something that belongs to them, they should share it. God has blessed you, so it’s important to bless others with what you have!

Luke 10:25-37 – The Good Samaritan

My favourite way to retell this story to children is with the Veggie Tales video. It explains it in a kid-friendly way, how someone was hurt and no one from his town wanted to help him. It ended up being a man from a rival town who cared for him!

He was generous with his time and care for someone who was supposed to be his enemy.

Read the Bible story to your children then watch the video!

Kids Application

This bible story speaks not only to generosity but also loving your neighbour. This is what giving from the heart means. It isn’t just helping those who look and sound like us, or our friends and family. Genersity extends beyond our home and friend circle.

Tell your children to look for other ways they can share their “generosity” by helping others in need. At school, looking for someone who needs a friend and offering to play with them. At church, welcoming a new family. In the neighbourhood, bringing in recycling bins after garbage day.

Biblical generosity isn’t just about giving money, it’s about giving of our time too!

John 6:1-13 – Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

This is another wonderful story about giving all that you have, offering it to God and allowing Him to fulfill your needs.

The little boy in the story offered Jesus his lunch and Jesus was able to use it to feed the multitude, including the boy. Can you image how blessed that little boy was that day? His cup would have been overflowing because of what he gave up.

Kids Application

Of course we don’t expect our children to give up their lunch but perhaps they can carry an extra snack for a friend in need. It doesn’t have to be food either (many schools don’t allow sharing of food!) but offering to help someone complete a project or sharing markers or pencil crayons.

Teaching children to give what they have, be it physical items or their time or gifts is teaching them how to be generous. Whether you have an abundance of something or not, it is given by God and therefore should be offered back to Him.

Biblical Generosity for Moms

The same is true for us as moms. We can read these stories and apply the same teachings to our motherhood journey. We can be generous with our patience, our time and our energy. While these things may seem to be in short supply, God will multiply them if we offer them back to Him.

Teach your children about biblical generosity through your work as a mom!

Little Hands to Big Hearts

We want the little hands of our children to be big hearts. We want them to see the needs of others and share what they have.

Encourage your children to look for ways to share God’s blessings. It doesn’t always have to be sharing items, it can be their time and efforts too. We are rich in more ways than one.

The stories we read about biblical generosity are the starting point for teaching children about God’s provisions and looking to see how we can serve others. Jesus came to do just that, and as we seek Him, we should seek to do as He did!

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For more biblical teachings for kids, check out my free devotional “A Kid’s Fruit Basket,” perfect for children age 3-5.

And to help you when God calls you to be hospitable, read “Hospitality without Grumbling“

For more on parenting, read “Parenting: Navigating Everything.”

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