“Why are we giving money to the church when we’re dead?”
The question came from a curious 12-year-old who’d overheard her grandparents discussing estate plans. It’s a fair question—and one that opens the door to one of the most important conversations Christian families can have about faith, stewardship, and generational impact.
Teaching children and grandchildren about legacy giving isn’t about tax strategies or estate planning mechanics. It’s about passing down values that outlast us and showing young people that faith isn’t just for Sundays—it shapes how we think about everything we have.
Starting the Conversation Early
Many Lutheran families wait until children are teenagers or even adults before discussing charitable giving and legacy planning. But financial discipleship, like faith formation, begins much earlier.
Ages 5-10: Plant the seeds of generosity
Young children understand giving in concrete terms. They can:
- Set aside part of their allowance for church offering
- Choose a charity to support with birthday money
- Help select items for food pantry donations
- Participate in mission project fundraisers.
The lesson isn’t about the amount. It’s about the habit of considering others when we make decisions about resources.
Ages 11-15: Introduce long-term thinking
Pre-teens and teenagers can grasp more complex concepts:
- Discuss how endowment funds work (principal stays forever, earnings help ministry)
- Involve them in family decisions about charitable giving
- Share stories of ancestors who supported the church
- Explain why your family has chosen to include church in estate plans
This age group responds well to the “planting seeds for trees we’ll never see” metaphor. They understand investing in something bigger than themselves.
Ages 16+: Engage as stewardship partners
Young adults can be full participants in legacy planning conversations:
- Include them in discussions about family foundation or donor-advised funds
- Invite input on which ministries the family endowment supports
- Discuss your own estate plans openly
- Help them start their own charitable giving habits
The Power of Named Family Funds
One of the most effective ways to teach generational stewardship is through a named family fund at Lutheran Legacy Foundation.
A named family fund allows your family to:
- Make charitable gifts from a single fund
- Involve children and grandchildren in distribution decisions
- Create a lasting family legacy tied to Lutheran values
- Teach financial stewardship in a real-world context
Consider the Johnson family. When Grandfather Johnson turned 80, instead of hosting an expensive party, the family established the “Johnson Family Ministry Fund” with gifts from relatives. Now, once a year, the extended family gathers to review grant requests from Lutheran ministries and vote on where to direct the annual distribution.
The grandchildren, now ranging from ages 8 to 22, have learned to:
- Read mission statements and evaluate ministry effectiveness
- Ask thoughtful questions about how money will be used
- Balance competing priorities
- Think critically about which causes align with family values
This annual gathering has become more meaningful than any birthday party could have been. The fund will outlive Grandfather Johnson by decades, but more importantly, it’s teaching his descendants to be faithful stewards.
Overcoming the “Taboo” of Money Conversations
Many Lutheran families find it easier to discuss theology than finances. But avoiding money conversations sends an unintended message: faith matters everywhere except our wallets.
Tips for healthy family money conversations:
- Frame it as stewardship, not wealth.The focus isn’t on how much you have but on faithful management of God’s resources.
- Use real examples.Share specific decisions you’ve made and why. “We’re giving this amount to the church building fund because…” is more instructive than general principles.
- Acknowledge complexity.It’s okay to say, “We’re still figuring this out,” or “Different families make different choices.”
- Connect to Scripture.Tie financial decisions to biblical principles you’re already teaching. The Parable of the Talents isn’t just Sunday School material—it’s about real-life stewardship.
- Be age-appropriate but honest.You don’t need to share every financial detail, but children can handle more truth than we often assume.
Legacy Letters: Passing Down “Why”
One powerful tool for teaching generational stewardship is the legacy letter—a written explanation of your giving values and decisions.
In a legacy letter, you might share:
- Why faith is central to your financial decisions
- Stories of how your church or Lutheran ministries impacted your life
- What you hope your legacy gifts will accomplish
- Values you want your children and grandchildren to carry forward
These letters, included with estate plans or endowment fund documentation, provide context that legal documents can’t. Decades from now, your great-grandchildren will understand not just what you gave but why it mattered.
Practical Steps for Lutheran Families
Step 1: Model generous living
Children notice when parents:
- Give cheerfully, not reluctantly
- Talk positively about supporting ministry
- Prioritize church giving even in tight financial times
- Volunteer time alongside financial gifts
Step 2: Create giving traditions
Establish family habits around generosity:
- Choose a missions project to support together each Advent
- Let children place offerings in the collection plate
- Celebrate milestone birthdays with charitable gifts
- Include ministry donations in holiday gift-giving
Step 3: Involve the next generation in your giving
Even if you’re not ready for a formal named fund, include children in decisions:
- Ask which VBS offering project they think is most important
- Discuss where memorial gifts in honor of grandparents should go
- Request input on family charitable priorities
Step 4: Explore a family fund
Contact Lutheran Legacy Foundation about establishing a named family fund. With minimum starting balances designed to be accessible, these funds offer hands-on stewardship education for generations.
Step 5: Update estate plans together
When appropriate, have adult children present when you meet with estate attorneys or financial planners. Hearing your thought process about legacy gifts teaches more than any lecture could.
The Ultimate Goal
Teaching the next generation about legacy giving isn’t really about money—it’s about identity.
When children grow up understanding that their family’s story includes faithful stewardship, they inherit more than financial assets. They inherit:
- A sense of responsibility for the church’s future
- Values that transcend material concerns
- Connection to something larger than themselves
- The joy of generous living
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5). Faith passes from generation to generation—and so does faithful stewardship.
Begin Today
You don’t need a large estate or complex financial plan to start teaching generational stewardship. You simply need to begin the conversation.
This week, try one small step:
- Talk with your children about why your family gives to church
- Share a story about how Lutheran ministry impacted your life
- Include your grandchildren in a decision about charitable giving
- Contact Lutheran Legacy Foundation about starting a named family fund
The legacy you leave isn’t measured only in dollars. It’s measured in values passed down, faith lived out, and generations who understand that everything we have is a gift to be stewarded faithfully.
Ready to create a lasting legacy with your family?
Lutheran Legacy Foundation makes it easy to establish named family funds that teach generational stewardship while supporting Lutheran ministries. Contact us today to learn how your family can invest in faith for future generations.
Lutheran Legacy Foundation manages 100+ active family funds, helping Lutheran families across the country create meaningful legacies that reflect their values and support the ministries they love.
