Are Your Teens Generous Givers?

I attended The Generosity Learning Experience hosted by Injoy Stewardship Solutions yesterday and it had me asking the question, “Are our teens generous givers?”  The answer was a quick NO.  Don’t get me wrong, we do have some great teen givers; however, we have such a far way to go.  Our church as a whole has grown more generously over the years and that’s been due to a committed staff, clear message and a concrete vision.  The student program just needs to catch up.

How often do you talk about money with your teens?  Probably not enough.  When it comes to topics you need to talk to your teens about, money doesn’t come first to mind.  But it’s important, because it’s a spiritual issue.  As Jesus says in Matthew 6:24  “You cannot serve both God and money.”  On top of the spiritual aspects talking to your teens about money will help:

• Deepen their faith
• Set them up for financial success
• Eliminate fundraisers
• Fuel the future of the church

Again, teaching teens this truth is important to helping them in their relationship with God and the future of the church.  So, how do you build up generous givers?

• Put It In The Message: If you talk to teens on a regular basis this is a topic you need to address a couple of times throughout the year.  Talk about the tension between a relationship with God and money.  Go over verses like Matthew 6:24.  Talk about how giving is not just a financial issue for the church but a spiritual issue for their heart.  

• Offer Outside Resources: Ministries like Dave Ramsey and I Was Broke But Now I’m Not have excellent resources out there for kids, teens and their families.  Try providing a workshop where you sit down with teens and their parents to discuss the importance of budgeting, saving, responsible spending and giving.  The more empowered and confident they are about money and it’s terminology the more comfortable they will be with handling it.

• Lead By Example: If you aren’t working with a budget, getting your “house” in order and giving to God, then it will show.  When you become a generous giver it shows in your heart and attitude.  The teens will see this as something you care about opposed to something you have to talk about.  I’m not saying you have to be perfect; however, you need to make sure you are focused on your personal money management.

If you teach teens about money and how it’s linked to their discipleship, it will empower them to be generous givers.  A ministry full of generous givers is one that puts God first and cares for the church.  Jesus talked about money all the time because He knew it’s importance and power.  As you go through summer planning and preparing your calendar for the next year, making money a top subject.  Look to raise up generous givers.

How often do you talk to your teens about money?  What resources are you using?