Almsgiving as a Family: Giving Ourselves for Others

Almsgiving is an old word for sharing ourselves or our possessions with people who need support. Christians have often practiced it during Lent, alongside prayer and fasting, because love of God becomes visible in love of neighbor.

Family almsgiving is not a lesson in which one group becomes the helper, and another becomes an object lesson. Every person bears God's image and has gifts, knowledge, relationships, and choices of their own. We begin by listening to what a trusted community partner says is needed.

Choose Relationship Before Donation

A food pantry, shelter, school, nursing home, refugee ministry, mutual-aid group, or church mission partner can help a family participate responsibly. Ask what would genuinely be useful. Protect privacy. Do not photograph or tell another person's story without permission, and never require children to interact with strangers or disclose personal information.

Try This Together

Choose one trusted partner, or one need already known to your family or congregation.

Ask what is needed now. Let the partner's answer shape the project rather than guessing or donating unwanted items.

Decide what the family can share: money, requested goods, a note, time, a skill, or participation in an organized project.

Give each child a real, age-appropriate role in choosing, preparing, or offering the gift. Participation should be invited, not coerced.

Afterward, thank God for everyone involved and ask what the family received or learned as well as what it gave.

For Younger Children

Use a clear, visible action such as choosing one requested grocery item, decorating a card for a known recipient, or placing coins in a family giving jar. Keep explanations truthful and simple without using frightening details to create guilt.

For Older Children and Teens

Invite young people to research the partner, contact a leader with questions, compare possible projects, or propose how the family might give time and advocacy as well as money. Talk honestly about dignity, power, privacy, and the difference between helping with someone and acting for them without listening.

• Wonder Together

• What did the community say it needed?

• What can we share without expecting praise, control, or repayment?

• How can giving become a relationship rather than a one-time project?

Pray Together

Generous God,

every good gift comes from you.

Teach us to listen before we give.

Protect the dignity of every neighbor and make our love practical.

Receive what we offer and show us how to keep growing in generosity.

Amen.

Going Further

Read how United Methodist congregations involve children meaningfully in giving: https://www.umc.org/en/content/let-the-children-give-pog

Explore current mission partnerships and stories through United Methodist Global Ministries: https://umcmission.org/

Make It a Rhythm

Keep a small family giving fund and meet briefly once a month to listen for one need, choose a response, and pray for the people and organizations involved.