What my son’s hiking trip taught me about faith and giving
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by Eric Most
As a parent, I often think about Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Parenting is a big responsibility. We set the foundation for our children’s outlook on life. Most of the time, we approach parenting from the top down, thinking about what we can teach our kids. Less often do we consider what they can teach us.
In Matthew 18:1-4, Jesus told His disciples they must “become like children” to enter the kingdom of heaven. At first, this sounds contradictory. How can grown adults become like children? Yet throughout Scripture, we see this same pattern: The poor are richopens in a new tab, weakness is strengthopens in a new tab, servants are leadersopens in a new tab. Jesus elevated the value of children in a society that often overlooked them, showing us the beauty of a faith unclouded by the distraction, doubt, and disillusionment that often come with adulthood.
Last month, I organized a week-long hike for my son Hudson’s Trail Life troop. My Achilles injury kept me from hiking, but I was as involved as I could be and drove them to the trailhead. On the way, I asked them about generosity, hoping to see this aspect of faith through their eyes. Here are some of their responses.
Q: Do you know what the word “generous” means?
A: “To give someone something that costs you something.” “Giving something more than what is expected.” “Being self-sacrificial like God.”
Q: What are some ways to be nice to others?
A: “Give what you have.” “Give the time, money, and resources that you have for the well-being of others.” “Giving someone something that they need.” “Being helpful.” “To give someone something that would be an encouragement with them.” “Fellowship with others.”
Q: Why do you think it’s important to help others?
A: “It shows them how much you appreciate them.” “It’s what Jesus did.” “It shows that you love them, and you honor God.” “It’s helping them to treat others how Jesus treated them.” “It’s the right thing to do, it gives people hope, it can give people joy.” “There’s always somebody less fortunate than you, and you can help them out to let them know that Jesus is always with them and he hasn’t abandoned them.”
Q: The Bible says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” What do you think that means?
A: “To give something even if you won’t get anything out of it.” “To see the joy on somebody’s face when you give a gift.” “Seeing the joy on someone’s face is even better than getting a gift yourself.” “It’s better to have riches in heaven than riches on earth.”
Their answers were honest, innocent, and others-first focused. They spoke about meeting needs, not giving out of guilt or burden. Their reasoning was simple: “It’s what Jesus did.” Unlike adults, who often approach giving with a scarcity mindset, kids don’t have much in the way of resources, so they give openly from what they do have. Their approach is relational and from the heart.
I left the trailhead wondering how I can burden myself for the sake of others, not just give of my surplus and resources. The boys reminded me of this C.S. Lewis quote from Mere Christianity:
“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them.”
When I asked Hudson about his trip, I saw how the boys lived out generosity on the trail. It’s a very tough hike (42 miles!), and he’d started the week sick with food poisoning. Seeing his weakness, his troop mates stepped in and voluntarily carried his gear, food, and tent.
They cheered for each other, encouraged those who were struggling, and shouldered burdens to lighten the load for others. In doing so, they showed that generosity isn’t only about giving things away, it’s about stepping in and carrying what another person can’t. It made me wonder how often I’m willing to inconvenience myself for the sake of others.
Personal experience confirms something I’ve said before: Our youth are often more generous than we are. Considering the fraction of resources they have, their willingness to give is extraordinary. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.” Let’s not hinder themopens in a new tab in faith or in generosity but learn from them instead.
Consider asking the children in your life these same questions. You may be surprised what they can teach you about humility, trust, and open-handed giving. Fan the flame of generosity in your own heart, not only by teaching your children, but by letting them teach you.
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