Whether we realize it or not we teach our children about money every day. Sometimes we teach with words and sometimes with actions. Im sure at one time or another the following scenario as happened to you or something close to it: Mom, can we go buy some toys? You say, We do not have the money for that right now. Your children reply, Just go to the ATM and get the funds . You then generate a comment to the effect, There has to be funds in my account in order to get money from the ATM. I still remember the first time I had that conversation and my childrens jaws dropped. It never occurred to them that you had to have funds in order to get funds out of the ATM machine. They just viewed the ATM as the cash machine Free money. Dont we all wish that was true!

Let me share with you another conversation we had in my house. We we are giving out allowances and we always give it to them in change, so they may take their offering to church. My son said, Why, do we give money to church anyway? My daughter quickly piped up, Because, the Bible tells us to. She is accurate that the Bible instructs us to give to church, but there is a better explanation. (For the record, I dont like using because the Bible says so we absolutely need to teach our children about the reasons God gives us instructions and his promises in the Bible.) We give funds to church, because God owns everything anyway. All that we have has been given to us from Him and he owns it all. We are only giving a small portion back to thank Him for the bounty he has given us. So, we give the church a praise offering for what God has graciously given us.

Many everybody have different views about funds . Some do not want to tell their children anything about how much they build and how they pay bills. They dont want their children to understand that and see that as private. Some all the people give their children way too much experience and then children worry if things are tight. I think there is a middle ground. How are children going to learn to spend funds smartly if we do not show them? I think it is important for you to share with children how things were in the lean years of your family. That maybe right now. Many children today, when they become adults, want to beginning out where their parents ended up. They dont see all the difficult times that led up to where their parents are now. Share with your children in age appropriate ways how to spend and save funds . Teach your children how to compare prices and shop for a bargain. I have seen many teenagers over the many years and I am amazed at when they initial spending their own money for clothing all the sudden Wal-Mart doesnt look so bad anymore, instead of the high priced stores they want parents to spend their funds .

In conclusion, what and how are you teaching your children about funds ? Do they understand that God is in control? Do they see you giving to church? Do they even understand how bills are paid? Maybe you are quote, I have been a poor manager of money, who am I to teach them? We are all learning and God is gracious to help us when we build mistakes. He may help you understand what to say and how to teach your children about funds . Ask God to help you manage your funds intelligently and set a grand example for your children.

2005 Kimberly Chastain