9 Ways to Teach Generosity to Your Grandchildren

Written by Steve Cummings, Chief Development Officer

As a fellow grandparent of 6 (currently) with one on the way, and someone who has served the kingdom by growing givers’ hearts to be generous to whatever organization God stirs their hearts, this is a perfect blend of my life’s calling and passion.

Why Teaching Generosity Matters for Christian Grandparents

As grandparents, we hold a unique position of influence in our grandchildren’s lives. Beyond family stories and life lessons, we can shape their character and faith.

One of the most important virtues we can pass down is generosity—an outward expression of love rooted in the heart of God. Scripture consistently calls believers to give freely, not out of obligation but out of joy.

Teaching our grandchildren generosity is more than showing them how to share; it is showing them how to reflect Christ in the way they live.

Below are nine ways we can nurture generosity in our grandchildren, each grounded in God’s Word and accompanied by practical steps we can take. These lessons are not only about giving money or possessions, but also about offering time, kindness, and compassion.

By weaving these truths into everyday life, we help our grandchildren see generosity as a lifestyle of faith, not just a single act.

1. Model Generosity in Everyday Life

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35

Children learn by watching, and one of the most powerful ways to teach generosity is to live it out daily. If our grandchildren see us giving freely to others—whether it’s holding a door, sharing our resources, or lending a listening ear—they will begin to understand that generosity is a natural part of Christian living. Small, consistent acts of kindness leave lasting impressions, often more than one big gesture.

We can invite our grandchildren to notice when we are giving and explain why we do it. For instance, if we bring a meal to a neighbor, let your grandchild tag along and hear you say, “We do this because Jesus has given us so much.” Connecting the action with the Scripture creates a framework for them to see generosity as an expression of God’s love, not just good manners.

2. Teach Them to Share Their Possessions

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

Grandchildren often hold their toys, treats, or time tightly, but this is the perfect moment to teach them the joy of sharing. As a grandparent, you can encourage them to give a favorite toy to a sibling or donate items they no longer use.

Helping them see that sharing pleases God begins to transform their mindset from scarcity to abundance. I have the joy of doing this almost every day with our granddaughter Florence (20 months old), who lives with us and her Mommy and Daddy. It is so much fun to see her little eyes light up!

Also, we can make it a family project by regularly setting aside time to sort through belongings and selecting items to give away. Explain that sharing is not about losing something, but about blessing someone else. When they see the joy it brings others, generosity becomes a rewarding habit rather than a forced action.

3. Encourage Giving Back to God

“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

Giving, whether at church or to your favorite charity, is one of the foundational ways believers practice generosity. Teaching our grandchildren to set aside even a small portion of their allowance or earnings for giving builds discipline and a sense of responsibility toward God’s work. It shows them that what they have ultimately belongs to Him.

You can make it fun by helping them use a jar to set aside money each week. Celebrate their effort, no matter how small, and remind them that God looks at the heart behind the gift. This helps them connect giving to worship, not just an obligation.

4. Volunteer Together as a Family

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

Generosity is not limited to finances—it also includes giving time and talents. Volunteering with our grandchildren helps them see firsthand the impact of service. Whether it’s serving at a local food pantry, cleaning up a park, or visiting a nursing home, these experiences teach children that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Working side by side with them in service allows us to discuss why helping others matters to God. When they see our joy in serving, they are more likely to embrace it themselves. These moments also strengthen our bond as we partner in living out God’s calling to serve others.

5. Speak Words of Encouragement

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Generosity extends beyond material possessions, as well, to the words we speak. As grandparents, we have a special power to encourage and build up our grandkids, and we can teach them to do the same for others. Reminding them that kind, uplifting words are a form of generosity that, while it costs nothing, can change someone’s day.

We can practice this by creating a family tradition of affirmations. At dinner or bedtime, we can encourage our grandchildren to share something kind about someone else. This helps cultivate a heart of gratitude and trains them to notice the good in people. They learn that being generous with words is just as important as being generous with money.

6. Show Hospitality from the Heart

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:9

Hospitality is a tangible way to demonstrate generosity. When we invite others into our home, we model warmth, kindness, and the joy of sharing what we have. Our grandkids can participate by helping to set the table, greet guests, or prepare simple treats. These small actions will help them see hospitality as an act of service, and not a burden.

We want to explain to them that opening our home and heart reflects God’s welcome to us through Christ. Hospitality does not require perfection or wealth—it’s about creating a space where others feel loved and valued. By involving our grandchildren, we help them practice generosity in ways that strengthen relationships and build community.

7. Teach Compassion Through Storytelling

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8

Stories have a way of shaping hearts and minds, and we as grandparents are natural storytellers, amen?? Share Bible stories or personal family experiences that highlight acts of compassion and generosity. This not only teaches lessons but also makes generosity relatable. Children begin to understand that compassion is an active choice, not just a feeling.

We can also encourage them to retell stories or create their own about helping others. This allows them to process what generosity looks like in different situations. Over time, these stories sink deep into their hearts, guiding their actions as they grow. Compassion becomes more than a word—it becomes a way of life.

8. Practice Gratitude Together

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The main thing about generosity is… it flows naturally from a grateful heart.

By practicing gratitude with our grandkids, we can help them see how much they already have. This perspective shifts their focus from what they lack to what they can share. Gratitude and generosity go hand in hand, each reinforcing the other.

Here’s an idea we have used in the Cummings’ home:

Create simple habits like keeping a gratitude journal or sharing “three things I’m thankful for” each day. As we practice together, we can show them that thanksgiving is not just a holiday but a daily lifestyle. A child who learns gratitude early is more likely to grow into a generous adult who gives with joy!

9. Remind Them of God’s Greatest Gift

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

The ultimate example of generosity is, of course, God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Every lesson on giving should ultimately point back to this truth. When grandchildren understand that generosity begins with God’s love, they see giving as a reflection of His heart. It shifts the focus from duty to delight.

We can regularly share the gospel with our grandchildren, connecting every act of generosity back to Christ’s sacrifice. Whether we’re giving time, money, or kindness, we can take the opportunity to remind them that we give because He first gave to us. This foundation ensures that their generosity is rooted not in guilt or pressure, but in joy and worship.

Conclusion

Teaching generosity to our grandkids is a gift that will bless them for a lifetime. Each of these nine practices offers a way for us to connect everyday actions to the timeless truths of Scripture.

By living generously ourselves and guiding them through these habits, we’re not only teaching them how to give—we are showing them how to live like Jesus. And in doing so, we pass on a legacy of love, faith, and generosity that will ripple through generations.