Stewardship:  A steward is one who manages another’s property.  As Christians, we are merely stewards of God’s property while we are on earth.  When we accept the role of steward, it means we voluntarily give God the right to tell us what to do with everything he has entrusted to us:  our clothes, car, home, family, paycheck and future.  We desire His input and manage what we have for His benefit.  Impress upon your child that everything that comes into his or her possession is a gift from God to provide for our needs, the needs of others and to bring Him honor.

Blessed is the servant whose master finds him faithful when he returns.  I tell you the truth; he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  (Matthew 24:46-47)
 

Obedience:  There are over one thousand references to money in the Bible, second only to love.  God uses both of these areas to test our obedience to Him.  Encourage your child to read the Bible to see what God says about how we should use our money.  We show our love to God through obedience and God in turn, blesses us.

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.  (John 14:21)

Devotion:  Teaching children about money is a critical part of training them, because a person’s attitude toward finances is an indicator of his heart.  If we allow our children to handle their finances the world’s way, they will automatically apply those principles to the rest of their lives.  Their heart will be where their treasure is.  However, if we teach them God’s way of handling finances, they will tend toward using His principles to govern the other areas of their lives.  

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  (Matthew 6:19-21)

Commitment:  God calls us to be totally committed to Him.  We have two choices, serve God or serve self.  In your family, model complete commitment to God by putting Him first and consulting Him in every decision you make. 

Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust Him and He will help you. (Psalm 37:5)      

Trust:  If we really trust God with everything, He will satisfy our needs.  We must be willing to depend completely on God and put Him in total control of our finances.  Share with your child ways that you exercise your faith and trust in God to supply your needs.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Contentment:  Contentment is knowing that you are in the center of God’s will.  We are thankful for what we have rather than resentful for what we do not have.  We realize that we don’t deserve what we already have, let alone anything more.  We do not demand our way with God.  Teach your child that contentment doesn’t depend on circumstances or things, but that it is a by-product of a soul filled with gratitude.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.  If we have food and clothing, we will be content. (I Timothy 6:6-8)

God’s Provision:  Advertisers have a profound effect on today’s attitudes about money.  They convince us that our financial state (or God’s provision) has nothing to do with our purchases.  “Get it now, you deserve it!  And if you don’t have the cash, just buy it on credit.”  If we step beyond what God has provided for our lives, we are in effect saying that God doesn’t know or provide for our needs.  Model for your children how God’s provision for your family helps to guide the decisions that you make.

And don’t worry about foot-what to eat and drink.  Don’t worry whether God will provide it for you.  These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs.  He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. (Luke 12:29-31)

Delayed Gratification:  This principle plays a role in being content and living within God’s provision, yet it bears incredible value on its own.  When taught at a young age, children can greatly benefit from learning to “wait.”  As a toddler, she learns to wait for mom’s attention; in grade school, she learns to wait for her turn; as a preteen, she learns to wait to wear makeup; as a teen she learns to wait for sex until she’s married; as a young adult, she learns to wait to make purchases until she has saved the money.

How do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul? (Luke 9:25)

Giving/Generosity:  If we truly believe that God is our provider and Savior, as an act of thankfulness, we give back a small portion of all the blessings he has entrusted to us.  When we give our best (first fruits), this is a testimony that God owns it all and of our dependence on Him.  Besides setting aside for regular giving, when God provides abundance, help your child look to the needs of others.  

Everything we have has come from you and we give back to you only what you have already given us.  (I Chronicles 29:13)

Let the man who has two tunics share with him who has none; and let him who has food do likewise. (Luke 3:11)

Diligence:  Being willing to work hard and do your best at any job given to you, brings honor to God.  Give your child opportunities to experience the satisfaction that come from working hard, a job well done and helping others.  Diligence and perseverance will help them overcome many obstacles. in their lives.