- Gavin Aleogho
For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:12
The topic of money is an avoidable topic that has led many astray due to misinformation and misconceptions about money. The solution to this problem is not to refrain from speaking about money; rather it is to teach the biblical truth about money to our children.
The following 12 points will help your child develop the right attitude to money and the wisdom to handle it, rightly.
1. Everything And Every Money Belongs To God
It is important you let your child know that everything in this life belongs to God and that includes money. Every money they have and every money they will have belongs to God. Having this understanding will instil in them the fact that they are only stewards of God’s resources to which they should be faithful.
The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
Psalms 24:1
2. Money Is Neutral; It Is Either Good Or Evil
It is wrong to teach your child that money is evil. Money is not evil. It is the ‘love’ of (desperation for) money that is evil. Money is morally neutral; it only reflects the character of its possessor. When the possessor is evil, money produces wickedness. But when the possessor is a good and wise person, then money will be used for a good purpose.
A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; but money answers everything.
Ecclesiastes 10:19
3. It Is Okay To Work For Money
Yes, your child may not be old enough to work for wages, but let them know that every money that they have ever been given was worked for either directly or indirectly by someone. Hence, there is no free money anywhere. As they grow, let them know that it is okay to do legitimate work to make money. Let them know that there is dignity in labour.
A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
Proverbs 28:19 NLT.
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
Proverbs 13:11 NLT
4. Don’t Exalt Money Above Value For Human Life or Above Godly Virtue.
Anybody that exalts money more than human life can kill to get money. This is why we have a lot of ritualists and fraudsters in our society who can kill and do harm to their fellow man because of money.
A girl who exalts money more than the virtue of purity can go into prostitution to get money. Anybody that exalts money more than godly virtues like integrity, honesty or truthfulness will lie and cheat to get money. They can go any length to do evil and commit any crime because of money.
A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished… The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.
Proverbs 28:20, 22 TLB
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.
Proverbs 10:2
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Ephesians 4:28
5. Don’t Compare Yourself With Anybody, Financially.
It is foolish to make financial comparisons, considering the fact that you might be worth more than that fellow in other important areas of life. Besides, your path and destiny in life is different. And you shouldn’t disregard the fact that you might be wealthier than that fellow in the future.
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise
2 Corinthians 10:12
6. Uphold The Virtue Of Contentment
One important virtue you can teach your child is the virtue of contentment. You must ensure that before your child leaves your house to be on their own, they are firmly established with the virtue of contentment. This is because the virtue of contentment will greatly help them to easily overcome the many temptations that are related to the subject of wealth, riches and money. The virtue of contentment will help your child live within their means; overcoming the temptation of borrowing and taking loans.
It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained.
Proverbs 16:8
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:9-10 NLT.
7. Develop The Culture Of Saving
Your kids are not too young to start saving. Instead of using all their pocket money to buy sweets, biscuits and candy, get a savings box for them. Let them start saving part of any money that is given to them. You can also open a bank account to help them in this regard. And as their fund increases, you can guide them to start a mini business or help them invest their funds.
There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
Proverbs 21:20
8. Money Should Be Spent Purposefully
Help your children to develop the attitude of delayed gratification. Let them know that it is wrong to lose, misuse or waste money on frivolity.
One of the ways you can help them to spend rightly is by guiding them to spend on their future. That is, spending on things that will greatly empower them for their futures. Thus, instead of buying toys and candies, they can start investing their money to buy books, pay for courses and buy any material that will greatly help them in their journey to their destiny.
A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; but money answers everything.
Ecclesiastes 10:19
9. Overcome Greed And Selfishness With Generosity.
Greed and selfishness will only make one a slave to Mammon. You are not supposed to be a slave to money (Mathew 6:24). You are supposed to lord over money. One way to master money is by developing a liberal heart of generosity. A generous man will rule and have mastery over money.
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
1 Timothy 6:17-18.
10. The Pursuit Of Purpose Is Guaranteed To Bring Money
Let your children know that if they set their heart to pursue their God-given dreams it is guaranteed to make money come their way. Besides the blessing of money that accompanies the pursuit of purpose, it is also important to know that you also get fulfilment and satisfaction which comes with eternal rewards.
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
Proverbs 12:11
11. There Are A lot Of Dangers In Being Desperate To Get Money
The scripture clearly says that it is the love and desperation to get money that is the genesis and root of the evil we see in our land. Stealing, prostitution, fraud, lying, cheating and the love of the world in whatever guise are all connected to an unholy love and desperation for money. Let your children know of the many dangers and misfortune that face every man who is desperate to get money at any cost.
Those who love money will never have enough.
Ecclesiastes 5:10a NLT.
Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
Proverbs 20:17
The person who gets money dishonestly is like a bird that hatches eggs it didn’t lay. In the prime of life he will lose his riches, and in the end he is nothing but a fool.
Jeremiah 17:11
12. Let God (Not Money) Be Your Primary Pursuit
Since the world and everything in it belongs to God, it is wise to have a cordial relationship with God, the Creator of everything. It is from God all blessings flow. You will be undoing yourself when you don’t align your life properly with His ways. Besides, following the precept of God and all the principles in the Kingdom is a sure way to enjoy all the goodness of God. Hence, ensure that you guide your children in the way of the Lord, early. Let the pursuit of God be their primary pursuit in life. Teach your child to live their lives in such a way that brings glory to God always.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
