Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best of dinars is the dinar a man spends on his dependants, then the one he spends on his mount in the path of Allah, then the dinar he spends on his companions in the path of Allah." Abu Qilabah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: And he began with the dependants. Which man is greater in reward than one who spends on his young children, through whom Allah provides for them and benefits them?
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الزكاة / 7757