Teaching Grandkids Generosity with Ron Blue

FaithFi: Faith & Finance | Dec 4, 2024

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Show Notes

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.” - Proverbs 13:22

God’s Word is clear that faithful stewards should leave an inheritance for future generations. That inheritance doesn’t have to be money. Passing along biblical principles such as generosity to grandkids, well, that’s priceless. Ron Blue joins us to talk about it.

Ron Blue is the Co-Founder of Kingdom Advisors and the author of many books on biblical finance, including Splitting Heirs: Giving Your Money and Things to Your Children Without Ruining Their Lives.

More Than Money: The Heart of Generosity

Grandparents have a unique opportunity to model and teach generosity to their grandchildren. Generosity is about much more than giving money. Money is just a tool we can use to bless others and make the world a better place.

When taught early, generosity can break the grip of materialism and shape how children view and manage money for a lifetime. By demonstrating that financial success involves not just acquiring wealth but sharing it, grandparents can instill values that reflect God’s Kingdom.

Starting the Conversation

The best way to teach generosity is to connect it to core Christian values like love, stewardship, compassion, and service. Ron Blue suggests beginning with young grandchildren by reading Christian children’s books that highlight stories of generosity.

From there, move to practical activities:

Set aside money to give to the grandchildren, and let them choose the charity.
Engage in community service together, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or helping a neighbor in need.
Discuss how giving often involves sacrifice, such as donating toys to children in homeless shelters. Experiencing the joy of giving firsthand can leave a lasting impression.

These activities help children see that generosity isn’t just a concept—it’s an actionable way to reflect Christ’s love.

Generosity in Everyday Life

Grandparents can incorporate lessons about generosity into everyday life by encouraging grandchildren to:

Donate part of their birthday or allowance money to a cause they care about.
Participate in family conversations about budgeting for spending, saving, and giving.
Volunteer for local community projects together.

These experiences not only teach the importance of generosity but also demonstrate that giving is a planned and intentional part of the Christian walk.

Generosity and Legacy Planning

Many grandparents focus on leaving a financial legacy, but weaving generosity into their estate planning is even more critical. Some ways to do this include:

Allocating part of their estate for charitable giving.
Setting up a Giving Fund through organizations like the National Christian Foundation and involving grandchildren in decisions about where the funds should go.

These steps ensure that generosity remains a central value in the family’s legacy.

The Long-Term Impact

Teaching grandchildren about generosity has profound long-term effects. It helps them avoid the chains of materialism and be more faithful stewards of God’s resources. By modeling and encouraging generosity, grandparents can leave a lasting legacy that impacts their family and furthers God’s Kingdom.

Grandparents, you have an incredible role to play in shaping your grandchildren’s values and faith. Start small, be intentional, and watch as your legacy of generosity grows in the hearts of your family.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

I have a 403(b) that's earning 3% interest. I'm 72 and will soon need to start taking the required minimum distributions. Since I have yet to pay taxes on this money, what's the best way to handle the withdrawals to minimize the taxation? Should I put it in a savings account or roll it into an IRA?
I have a double-wide manufactured home with a 9.4% interest rate mortgage. How can I upgrade the house to increase its value and get a lower interest rate through refinancing? We're living paycheck-to-paycheck with no savings.
I've been a Christian for 40 years, and my wife and I have always tithed, even when money was tight. In the last couple of years, God has provided an income stream we never thought possible, proving His faithfulness to us. We now have resources we never dreamed of having.

Resources Mentioned:

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