Here’s the good news: like so many other topics in this world, your kids are going to learn most of how they view and handle money from you. Now, here’s the potentially bad news: your kids are going to learn most of how they view and handle money from you. We will all teach our children from both a positively and a negative viewpoint, directly and indirectly about so many things, including finances and budgets. When we speak truths to our kids such as, “It’s all God’s money. We want to work to be good stewards of what He gives us,” that offers our kids a spiritual worldview of money. When we open a bill and say out loud, “We never have enough. I can’t ever get ahead from being so far behind,” we are also giving our kids a spiritual worldview of a different kind.

So, with that perspective in mind, let’s receive some encouragement for our own financial filter.

A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank. The rich and the poor shake hands as equals—God made them both! A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered. The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life. The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what’s good for you, stay clear of it. Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost. The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power. … Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor. (Proverbs 22:1-7, 9 MSG)

Working to offer ourselves and our kids a great reputation has nothing to do with the amount of money we have. A satisfying life can have nothing to do with money. Wisdom and common sense don’t increase because of a raise in wages. Generosity is not driven by our account balance. The right direction in life for your kids will never be determined by how much money you have—or don’t have.

Think for a moment about what you voice about money to your kids.

If you never have any more resources than you do right now, what might need to change in how you are shaping their worldview of God’s blessings?

Listen once again to a few of today’s verses:

A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; … a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank. … The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life. … Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost. … Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor. (Proverbs 22:1, 4, 6, 9 MSG)

Today, no matter how you speak of money to your children, ask God to teach you for you to teach them. That will always be the best, right choice for your family.

Let’s pray together: “Father, regardless of our bank balance each month, I don’t want to teach a spirit of poverty or scarcity or ungratefulness to my children—Your children. Help me to see my money and blessings through Your eyes and teach my kids about You through everything in our lives. As above, so below.”