Money Lessons that Create True Wealth

When it comes to teaching our kids about money, we can’t just stop at dollars and cents. Yes, we want them to know how to save, spend wisely, and invest — but as Kingdom-minded parents, we have a bigger responsibility: to teach them that money is ultimately God’s, and we are simply the managers.

Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” That means every dollar in our pocket, every skill we have, and every opportunity we receive is His gift to us. So, how does that translate for our kids? To me, it simply means we need to include these truths in our conversations with them. We remind them that God has gifted them with skills and talents, and they should use them. We remind them that the money, wealth, and opportunities God blesses them with are ultimately His. We are simply stewards. So, are we going to honor Him and others with His gifts, or are we going to bury them, hoard them, and hide them? I think you know the answer!

Here are a few things to keep in mind when we’re talking about money and wealth with our kids (even if they’re not so little anymore!):

Give First – One of the greatest lessons we can teach our children is that the first portion of what we have goes back to God. This is about more than a percentage — it’s about priority and trust. Priority, because giving first shows we honor God before anything else, since it’s His to begin with. And trust, because it declares that we believe He can do more with the rest than we ever could with the whole. When kids understand this principle early, they develop a heart that sees giving as a joy, not an obligation.

Use Their God-Given Talents – Each child has unique abilities that can be turned into value for others. Help them explore and develop those gifts. When we’re excited and proud of who we are and the special talents God has blessed us with, those skills naturally grow. But when we push kids to be like someone else or try to turn them into something they’re not, it wastes the very abilities God gave them. Encourage your kids to own and be proud of what He’s placed inside them.

Be Fair and Just – Proverbs 16:11 reminds us, “Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord.” Whether it’s selling lemonade or running a company, teach your kids to operate with integrity. When we talk to them about being honest and fair, those lessons will carry into their workplaces and businesses later. These are what I call “true wealth.” They go beyond money. When you are trustworthy, you carry peace.

Use Wealth to Serve and Build God’s Kingdom – Money is a tool. Encourage your kids to think about how their earnings can help others, fund missions, and make an eternal impact. Boats, cars, trips, and big houses are fun for a while — but they’ll never fully satisfy. Acts of kindness and mercy toward others are what bring true joy. Wealth is so much more than a bank account balance. We don’t just want a wealthy investment account for our kids; we want them to live wealthy lives. Being joyful givers and providing for those in need creates the kind of inner peace we pray for them to have.

If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you know I could go on and on about this! If you’ve listened to my podcast or followed me elsewhere, you also know I haven’t always taken my life lessons from the Bible. It still amazes me how much the Bible truly acts as an instruction manual for us! That’s why I love the accounts of King Solomon. He was one of the wealthiest people to ever live — even to this day. The fact that we can study his life and habits is incredible… but that’s the Bible for ya!

Here are a few lessons from King Solomon that we can pass along to our kids:

• Ask for Wisdom First – When God offered Solomon anything, he asked for wisdom, not riches (1 Kings 3:9). The riches followed because he was focused on leading well.

• Use Your Gifts – Solomon used his God-given wisdom to make sound decisions, grow his influence, and create prosperity for his people.

• Build for God’s Glory – His wealth wasn’t for status. It funded the temple — a place for worship and God’s presence — showing us that wealth has a greater purpose than self.

At the end of the day, success isn’t about what we accumulate — it’s about what we steward. When our kids learn to see money as a way to partner with God in building His Kingdom, they’ll grow into generous, wise, and impactful adults.

So this month, talk to your kids about King Solomon. Share what it means to give first, to trust God with the rest, and to live with open hands. When our kids understand Kingdom Finance, they won’t just grow up rich — they’ll grow up truly wealthy, in every sense of the word.