Raising Generous Kids: Teaching Kids Stewardship and Giving, with Shawna Sullivan

Save this for later!

How do we help our kids grow generous hearts in a culture that says to hold tight to what you have?

As parents, we want our children to invest in what truly matters: sharing their time, talents, and treasures with others. But it isn’t always easy! From squabbles over toys to big lessons about money, stewardship starts with small conversations and habits in everyday life.

Discover practical ways you can plant seeds of generosity and gratitude in your family, celebrate the flourishing moments, and model giving together. Join us as we explore how intentional habits can cultivate deep, lasting faith and kindness.

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

• Start with Prayer: Ask God to work in your heart first, so you can shepherd your children well.
• Find Small Teachable Moments: Bring kids along in everyday acts of generosity, whether donating toys, making a meal for a neighbor, or serving in your own home.
• Celebrate Generosity: Use tools like a “flourishing jar,” adding a token each time someone displays generosity. Celebrate together once it’s full.
  

📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:

1. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠“Raising Generous Hearts” guide: a practical, scripture-rich PDF for starting generosity and stewardship conversations in your home.
2. My Book: ⁠⁠Little Habits, Big Faith by Christie Thomas⁠⁠

Subscribe on your favorite listening platform for practical tips, real parent interviews, and encouragement as we become faith gardeners together!

📝SUMMARY

Embracing True Stewardship

Shawna began by sharing her family’s journey from a resume-building move to New York City to a calling of devoted service and stewardship. She and her husband, both with backgrounds in accounting and finance, had initially set out for personal gain. However, their time in New York shifted their perspective, turning their focus toward using what they had for the good of others. As Shawna emphasized, true stewardship is about partnering with God to use all He’s given us – not for our comfort, but to reflect His character and bring good into the lives of those around us.

Teaching Kids About Stewardship (Starting Small)

Throughout the episode, we discussed how even young children can be guided toward generosity. The early lessons are simple yet profound: inviting friends over and sharing toys, including the child who’s often left out, and talking openly about the needs of others. These moments teach children to value people over possessions and to practice empathy.

As kids grow, involvement can deepen. For example, Shawna described her family’s “secret sibling” Christmas gift exchange, where each child gets a modest amount of money to choose and buy something thoughtful for a sibling. This activity fosters joy in giving and helps kids learn to manage and spend their own resources in service of others.

Leading by Example (and Admitting the Struggle)

Generosity often doesn’t come naturally, for parents or kids. Shawna pointed out that even as adults, we sometimes struggle with holding on to what we have out of fear or a desire for security. The key is to walk this journey together as a family, admitting when it’s hard and celebrating progress rather than perfection.

Parents shouldn’t be afraid to talk openly with their children about financial choices, sacrifices, or even why they don’t always get what they want. Simple practices, like opting to drink water when eating out to save money, become teachable moments that highlight family values and set healthy expectations.

Making Generosity a Habit

Stewardship isn’t just about money. Shawna shared how her family’s chore system and approaches to hospitality create daily opportunities to serve one another, sowing seeds of generosity and gratitude at home. When children perform small acts of kindness (or step up for a sibling having a hard day) the family celebrates those moments.

Raising generous hearts also means recognizing and talking about the ways God provides. Shawn suggested simple questions at the dinner table, such as, “How did God help you today?” This practice roots generosity in an understanding of God’s character and provision.

Practical Tips for Getting Started

Shawna distilled the conversation into actionable tips for parents and grandparents looking to nurture generosity:

1. Start with Prayer: Ask God to work in your heart first, so you can shepherd your children well.
2. Find Small Teachable Moments: Bring kids along in everyday acts of generosity, whether donating toys, making a meal for a neighbor, or serving in your own home.
3. Celebrate Generosity: Use tools like a “flourishing jar,” adding a token each time someone displays generosity. Celebrate together once it’s full.

A Resource to Jumpstart the Conversation

To help families take the next step, Shawna is offering a free downloadable resource, “Raising Generous Hearts.” This guide includes conversation starters, memory verses, and practical ideas to weave generosity into everyday life.

Final Encouragement

Generosity and gratitude feed into one another, becoming a powerful cycle that strengthens hearts and relationships. With prayer, intention, and a willingness to start small, we can plant deep roots of faith and kindness that flourish for years to come.

📚 FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:

1. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠“Raising Generous Hearts” guide: a practical, scripture-rich PDF for starting generosity and stewardship conversations in your home.
2. My Book: ⁠⁠Little Habits, Big Faith by Christie Thomas⁠⁠

Save this for later!