As Christian moms, we have the incredible privilege and responsibility of shaping our children’s hearts toward God – including their relationship with money. The financial habits and values we instill today will echo through generations, becoming part of the legacy we leave behind.
Teaching kids about money isn’t just about budgets and savings accounts; it’s about discipleship. When we ground our children’s financial education in biblical truth, we’re preparing them to be faithful stewards of God’s resources throughout their lives.
1. Everything Belongs to God (Psalm 24:1)
The foundation of biblical money management begins with understanding ownership. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). This isn’t just theological theory – it’s the bedrock of how we approach every dollar.
When children grasp that everything belongs to God, it transforms their perspective from ownership to stewardship. Instead of “my money,” they learn to think “God’s money that He’s entrusted to me.” This shift in thinking naturally leads to gratitude, responsibility, and generosity.
Start conversations early about how God provides for your family. When your child receives birthday money or earns their first allowance, remind them that this blessing comes from God’s provision. Help them see that managing money well is one way we honor Him.
2. We Are Called to Be Faithful Stewards (1 Peter 4:10)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). Stewardship means managing something that belongs to someone else with care and wisdom.
Children naturally understand this concept through everyday examples. When they borrow a friend’s toy, they’re careful with it. When they’re trusted to feed the family pet, they take that responsibility seriously. Money stewardship works the same way – we’re caring for something precious that God has entrusted to us.
Teach your children that being a good steward means making thoughtful decisions with money, not spending impulsively, and considering how their choices affect others. This principle builds character and wisdom that extends far beyond finances.
3. Generosity Reflects God’s Heart (2 Corinthians 9:7)
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Generosity isn’t about the amount – it’s about the heart behind the giving.
When we teach children to give, we’re helping them participate in God’s character. Start with small, age-appropriate opportunities. Let them choose a portion of their allowance to put in the offering plate or select toys to donate to children in need. The key is making giving a joyful choice, not a burden.
As they grow, help them understand that generosity isn’t limited to money. They can be generous with their time, talents, and kindness. This broader view of generosity shapes them into adults who naturally look for ways to bless others.
4. Contentment Comes from God, Not Things (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
In our consumer-driven culture, teaching contentment might be one of our greatest challenges – and greatest gifts to our children. Contentment doesn’t mean settling for less; it means finding joy and peace in what God has provided while we work toward our goals.
Help your children distinguish between wants and needs. Create family traditions that celebrate simple pleasures – nature walks, game nights, or baking together. When they see you finding joy in non-material blessings, they learn that happiness doesn’t come from having more stuff.
5. Hard Work and Diligence Honor God (Colossians 3:23-24)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
Money doesn’t appear magically – it’s typically earned through work and effort. Teaching children the connection between work and income builds their understanding of personal responsibility and the dignity of honest labor.
Create age-appropriate opportunities for your children to earn money through chores, helping neighbors, or small entrepreneurial ventures. The goal isn’t to turn them into workaholics but to help them understand that God honors diligent effort and that work is one way we serve Him and provide for ourselves and others.
6. Wisdom in Planning Prevents Problems (Proverbs 21:5)
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty’ (Proverbs 21:5). Teaching children to plan ahead with their money develops wisdom and self-control.
Start with simple concepts like saving for a desired toy or planning how to spend birthday money. As they get older, introduce them to budgeting basics and help them set short-term and long-term financial goals. When children learn to delay gratification and plan their spending, they’re developing skills that will serve them throughout life.
Make planning fun by creating visual aids like savings charts or goal thermometers. Celebrate when they reach their savings goals, reinforcing that good planning leads to good outcomes.
7. Avoid the Love of Money (1 Timothy 6:10)
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10).
Notice that scripture doesn’t say money itself is evil – it’s the love of money that causes problems. Teaching children to view money as a tool rather than a treasure helps them maintain a healthy relationship with finances throughout their lives.
Help your children understand that money is meant to serve us, not the other way around. When we make decisions based solely on financial gain without considering God’s will or the impact on others, we’ve crossed into dangerous territory. Regularly discuss as a family how your financial decisions align with your values and faith.
Creating a Legacy of Financial Wisdom
When we teach our children these biblical principles, we’re doing more than improving their financial literacy – we’re building a legacy. The values they learn in childhood about money, stewardship, and generosity will influence their own families someday.
Remember that children learn more from what they observe than what they hear. Let them see you praying about financial decisions, giving generously, and finding contentment in God’s provision. Your example speaks louder than any lesson you could teach.
The goal isn’t to raise children who are obsessed with money or who fear it, but rather children who see money as one of many tools God uses to accomplish His purposes in the world. When our children understand their role as stewards of God’s resources, they’re equipped to make wise financial decisions that honor Him and bless others.
Reflection Question
Which of these 7 biblical principles do you most want to emphasize with your children, and what’s one practical step you can take this week to begin teaching it?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for entrusting us with the precious responsibility of raising children who love and serve You. Give us wisdom as we teach them about money and stewardship. Help us model contentment, generosity, and faithful stewardship in our own lives. May our children grow up understanding that everything belongs to You and that managing money well is one way we worship and honor You. Guide their hearts to find their security and joy in You alone.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ready to Build Your Family’s Financial Legacy?
Teaching your children biblical money principles is just the beginning of creating a lasting legacy. If you’re ready to dive deeper into intentional legacy building that goes beyond finances, I invite you to take the next step with our 5-Day Legacy Builder Challenge.
This free resource will help you clarify your family’s values, create a vision for your legacy, and develop practical action steps to ensure your children inherit more than just money – they inherit wisdom, character, and a heart for God. Each day includes biblical insights, reflection questions, and actionable steps you can implement immediately.
Your legacy journey starts with intentional choices today. Don’t wait – your children’s future depends on the foundation you’re building now.