As mothers building intentional legacies, we understand that teaching our children about money isn’t just about dollars and cents- it’s about instilling values that will shape their relationship with finances for a lifetime. Family money meetings provide a sacred space where financial wisdom and family legacy intersect, allowing us to fulfill the biblical mandate found in Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Why Family Money Meetings Matter
In today’s fast-paced world, intentional conversations about money rarely happen organically.
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Family money meetings create structured opportunities to teach stewardship principles that will guide your children throughout their lives.
These gatherings serve multiple purposes in building your family’s financial legacy:
- They demonstrate that money matters are not taboo but rather worthy of thoughtful discussion
- They provide real-world financial education that schools often neglect
- They invite children into the family’s financial journey, fostering transparency and trust
- They create space to align your family’s spending with your deepest values
Setting the Foundation: Before Your First Meeting
Before gathering your family around the table, take time to prepare your heart and mind. Remember that these meetings embody all five pillars of our legacy-building framework:
Active Stewardship: Acknowledging that everything belongs to God and we are merely managers of His resources.
Wisdom in Planning: Following biblical principles for thoughtful financial management.
Character Development: Using money discussions to nurture virtues like generosity, patience, and contentment.
Generational Teaching: Passing financial wisdom to the next generation through intentional instruction.
Trust in God’s Provision: Demonstrating faith that God will meet your needs as you honor Him with your finances.
Pray for guidance as you prepare, asking God to help you communicate His financial principles with clarity and love.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Your Step-by-Step Guide To Meaningful Family Money Meetings
Step 1: Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
Choose a time when everyone is relaxed and not rushed. Perhaps Sunday afternoons after church or Saturday mornings over breakfast. Make the setting comfortable- perhaps around the kitchen table with some special snacks or drinks. For younger children, consider having some paper and crayons available so they can draw while listening.
The atmosphere should communicate that this is a positive, shame-free zone where questions are welcomed, and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.
Colossians 3:23-24 says, "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."
Step 2: Start with Gratitude and Vision
Begin each meeting by sharing what you’re thankful for- both material blessings and intangible gifts. This practice grounds your financial discussions in gratitude rather than scarcity.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
After expressions of gratitude, revisit your family’s financial vision.
- What are you saving for?
- What ministries do you support?
- What financial legacy do you hope to build?
This vision-casting connects day-to-day money decisions with your family’s larger purpose and values.
Step 3: Age-Appropriate Financial Education
Each meeting should include a brief lesson about a financial concept, tailored to your children’s ages:
For younger children (ages 4-7), focus on basic concepts like saving, spending, giving, and waiting. Use clear jars to visualize money allocation. Share simple stories about biblical characters who demonstrated wise stewardship.
For middle-aged children (ages 8-12), introduce concepts like compound interest, budgeting categories, and the difference between needs and wants.
Luke 14:28 says, "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"
For teenagers, explore more complex topics like investing, avoiding debt, and evaluating purchases.
Proverbs 21:5 says, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."
Step 4: Review Family Finances Together
Transparency builds trust and provides real-world financial education. While you don’t need to share every detail of your finances with young children, provide appropriate insights into the family’s financial situation:
- Show how you allocate your income across categories like giving, saving, and spending
- Celebrate progress toward financial goals
- Discuss upcoming expenses and how you’re preparing for them
- Review how the family performed against the budget since the last meeting
This transparency fulfills the principle found in 1 Timothy.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 says, "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
Step 5: Invite Participation and Problem-Solving
Transform your children from passive listeners to active participants by inviting their input:
- Ask for their ideas on reducing certain expenses
- Let them help plan an upcoming family activity within a specific budget
- Discuss a financial challenge the family is facing and brainstorm solutions together
- Allow them to present their own savings goals and progress
This collaborative approach honors Proverbs.
Proverbs 15:22 says, "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."
Step 6: Assign Age-Appropriate Financial Responsibility
Each family money meeting can include the assignment or review of financial responsibilities:
- Young children might be responsible for putting coins in giving, saving, and spending jars
- Older children might track their allowance in a simple ledger
- Teenagers might manage a clothing budget or research major family purchases
These responsibilities teach the principle found in Matthew.
Luke 16:10 says, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
Step 7: End with Prayer and Encouragement
Close each meeting by praying together, thanking God for His provision, and asking for wisdom in managing the resources He’s entrusted to your family.
Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Take time to encourage each family member for their contributions, whether it’s a child’s diligence in saving or a teenager’s wise spending decision. This encouragement fulfills 1 Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.“
Making Family Money Meetings a Sustainable Practice
Consistency is key to making these meetings effective. Here are some tips for sustainability:
Schedule regularly but realistically. Monthly meetings work well for most families. Mark them on your calendar as non-negotiable family time.
Keep the meetings reasonably brief. Aim for 30-45 minutes for older children, and 15-20 minutes for families with young children.
Make them engaging. Use visual aids, games, or real-world examples to illustrate financial concepts.
Evolve as your family grows. The format and content of your meetings should adapt as your children mature.
Celebrate milestones. When your family reaches a financial goal, celebrate together in a meaningful way.
Remember that these meetings aren’t just about money- they’re about discipleship.
Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
By intentionally discussing finances as a family, you’re helping shape your children’s hearts toward eternal values.
Reflection Question
- What’s the main goal of your next family money meeting?
- Who needs to be included—and what do they need to understand?
- What topic do you need to talk about first (budget, bills, debt, goals, giving)?
- What day and time will you schedule your next meeting?
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank You for entrusting us with resources to manage and a family to lead. Grant us wisdom as we seek to teach our children Your financial principles. Help us to be transparent, patient, and encouraging as we guide them toward financial stewardship that honors You. May our family money meetings be filled with Your presence and perspective, keeping eternal values at the center of our discussions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Free 5-Day Legacy Builder Challenge
Want a simple starting point? Download the free 5-Day Legacy Builder Challenge (PDF) to get clarity and take practical next steps with your finances, values, and family traditions.
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