Question from a reader:
If you could give teens and young adults one piece of advice about money and giving, what would it be?
Answer from Randy Alcorn:
Start your habits of generous giving early, stick with them and expand as the years go on and your income increases. Never procrastinate obedience. If God tells you to be a giver, and His Word certainly does, then putting it off to a future time when you think you'll have more and will therefore be more generous, usually won't work. People who don't give in their 20s usually won't give in their 40s. Giving is to be a way of life but it is also a habit, like taking a shower, brushing your teeth, getting exercise. If you don't establish the habit of doing it now, you probably won't later.
I would also say realize how much you have to gain personally by following Christ and generous giving. He promises giving will make you happier than receiving and keeping (Acts 20:35). Your heart will follow your treasure, so if you hold onto your treasures your heart will stay with yourself.
Make sure of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Be certain that you trust only Him to save you—not anyone or anything else, and certainly not any good works you’ve done. And then allow yourself to get excited about what’s on the other side of death’s door.
See more resources on money and giving, as well as Randy's related books.
