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We all want the best for our kids, but knowing what’s truly best isn’t always easy.

You’ve probably heard it—or said it yourself: “I just want my kids to have what I didn’t.” It sounds noble, but it can sometimes lead to financial trouble. Today, we’ll talk with Dr. Art Rainer about how that mindset can push parents into debt.

Dr. Art Rainer is the founder of the Institute for Christian Financial Health and Christian Money Solutions. He is a regular contributor here at Faith & Finance and the author of Money in the Light of Eternity: What the Bible Says about Your Financial Purpose.

Raising kids is one of the most joyful and rewarding callings in life, but it can also be financially challenging. As parents, we want to give our children the best: opportunities, experiences, and resources that help them flourish. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, we can fall into financial traps that lead to debt.

Here are six common ways loving parents may unintentionally sabotage their finances—and how to avoid them.

It’s a familiar struggle: your neighbor buys designer clothes for their kids or sends them to an elite private school, and suddenly you feel the need to do the same. But appearances can be deceiving—many people fund their lifestyle with debt. Chasing someone else’s standard is a never-ending race, and the finish line keeps moving. Be cautious of modeling your spending after others who may not be living within their means.

Social media only shows the highlight reel. Perfect family vacations, overachieving kids, and pristine homes can tempt you to measure your life against a filtered illusion. These comparisons can spark discontentment and drive unnecessary purchases just to keep up appearances or ease the guilt of not "measuring up." Be mindful of how much your scrolling influences your spending.

From travel teams to private lessons and elite camps, extracurricular activities have become a costly arms race. While these opportunities can be beneficial, they shouldn't come at the expense of your financial health. Don’t believe the lie that your child will fall behind if they don’t do everything. It’s okay to say no, for the sake of your budget and your family’s peace.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting your children to succeed in school and in life, but academic or career accomplishments should never come at the cost of neglecting their hearts. Investing in your child’s character, through time, guidance, and godly instruction, often requires less money but more intentional effort. And in the end, it matters far more.

If you lacked certain things growing up, it’s natural to want your kids to have more. Whether it was a nicer bike, newer clothes, or a first car, those memories can shape how you respond as a parent. But giving in to every request—even on credit—can backfire. Love doesn’t always mean saying “yes.” Sometimes it means exercising the wisdom to say “not right now.”</

In this episode, Dr. John examines the story of the rich young ruler and Jesus’ teaching about the difficulty wealth presents in entering God’s kingdom. He explains why true salvation requires surrendering our trust in possessions and self-righteousness, and how only God can free us from what holds our hearts captive. A sobering yet hopeful message about depending fully on Christ above all else.

The King Arrives: Throughout North American history, there have been two main reactions to monarchy: rebellion or apathy. Some believe the Crown should be rejected, while others see it as largely irrelevant. In short, we wrestle with the idea of kingship. But for followers of Christ, acknowledging Jesus as King is not optional—it’s foundational. In this series, Dr. John Neufeld explores Luke 17–20, showing that the Kingship of Jesus is not only central to the Christian faith, but vital for the world.

Today on Bold Steps, Pastor Mark Jobe shows us how to protect the heart of our relationships as we continue a message called, You Shall Not Commit Adultery. He’ll lead us through 6 things to do if you are struggling: Submit to God, Resist the devil, Draw near to God, Repent from your actions and attitudes and Humble yourself before the Lord. Practical help and a challenge in our series on the Ten Commandments called, Rock Solid Living.

Bold Steps Gift: LIES GIRLS BELIEVE: AND THE TRUTH THAT SETS THEM FREE

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There are two ways to respond to negative anger - explosion or implosion. Those who might deplore explosive anger fail to understand that implosive anger is just as destructive.

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