Raising children to navigate money wisely is about far more than dollars and cents. It begins with shaping their hearts, grounding their identity in Christ, and helping them understand the true source of their worth. As parents and mentors, we all want the next generation to develop a biblical foundation for both money and identity—because the two are more connected than we often realize.
Today, Brian Holtz, CEO of Compass Financial Ministry, joins us to share insights from a new resource designed to help families do exactly that. Right From the Start targets a key age group—kids 11 to 15—who are forming lifelong beliefs about God, themselves, and the world.
Why Middle School Matters So Much
According to Brian, this project was born out of recognizing a real discipleship gap. Plenty of resources exist for young children and high schoolers, but middle schoolers often fall between the cracks. Yet this is the stage when they’re actively forming their worldview—including their beliefs about money, success, and identity.
Right From the Start helps students discover that their value is rooted in being made in the image of God—not in what they own, how popular they are, or how well they perform. This biblical truth becomes the foundation for every financial principle they learn.
Six Themes to Form Faith and Finances
The study covers six core chapters:
- Identity
- Giving
- Saving
- Spending
- Building on Your Foundation
- Finishing Well
Each topic is presented through a biblical lens and paired with hands-on activities, daily lessons, memory verses, and “life hacks”—simple, practical challenges that help students put truth into action.
The goal, Brian shared, is to make faith and finances personal, relevant, and fun.
Helping Students Understand Their Identity in Christ
The very first chapter lays the theological foundation. Students read passages like Genesis 1 and Psalm 139 to understand that they are created intentionally, lovingly, and wonderfully by God. Their worth does not rise or fall with their circumstances.
Once children grasp this truth, giving, saving, and spending stop being merely financial tasks. They become acts of worship—ways to honor the God who made them.
Turning Principles Into Habits: A Look at the “Life Hacks”
One of the most beloved activities is the simple “three jars” method. Students divide the money they earn or receive into:
This visual, tactile tool transforms abstract concepts into daily habits. Parents particularly love it because it creates space for conversations about generosity, gratitude, and wise choices.
How Families and Churches Can Use This Resource
Right From the Start is designed for flexibility. It works well:
- At home
- In youth groups
- In Christian schools
A student book and a leader’s guide make it accessible for parents, teachers, and ministry leaders alike. And while it fits naturally around the holiday season—when spending pressure ramps up—it can be used any time of year.
Why Modeling Matters Most
Howard Dayton often said parents should seek to be “MVP parents”—Modeling, Verbalizing, and Practical Application. Brian agreed that “more is caught than taught.” Kids need to see generosity lived out, hear why we handle money the way we do, and have opportunities to practice it themselves.
Brian shared one practice from his own home: allowing
