close up of quarterContinuing on from my previous post where Dianna and I created a simple list of questions and answers to help our kids understand God’s gift of sex, we wanted to do the same to help them understand the blessings and dangers associated with money, as well as God’s expectations for how we use it.

Here is what we have come up with thus far.  It is still a work in progress, and we welcome your input and suggestions – leave us a comment below!  This is not meant to be comprehensive.  We are just trying to cover the basics at an 8-year-old’s level of understanding.  Our hope is that in teaching our kids these simple principles now, it will encourage further questions and discussion as they grow and mature.

15 Catechism Questions to help teach our kids about Money & Stewardship:

  1. Give Save SpendWhat is the first thing you do whenever you receive money?  GIVE – at least 10% – to God’s Kingdom work around the world.
  2. What is the second thing you do?  SAVE – at least 10% – for future needs and plans.
  3. What do you do with the rest?  STEWARD it in ways that please God.
  4. How much of my money belongs to God?  All of it – 100%.
  5. What is stewardship?  Wisely managing something that belongs to Someone else.
  6. What is debt?  Money that someone has loaned to you, which you must pay back with interest.
  7. What is interest?  The extra cost of the loaned money.
  8. Where does debt come from?  Buying things you cannot afford.  If it’s worth buying, it’s worth waiting for.
  9. What is the consequence of debt?  The borrower is servant to the lender. -Proverbs 22:7
  10. Should I ever go into debt?  Rarely, if ever.  Debt should ONLY be used if the value of the thing you are buying will exceed the total cost of the loan AND the interest it takes to buy it.
  11. What is credit?  Deferred payment, or, temporary debt.
  12. Should I ever use credit?  Very cautiously, and only if you have the money to pay it off in full each month.
  13. What is depreciation?  The reality that most “things” lose their value over time.
  14. Is wealth bad? Is money evil?  No, these are tools that can glorify God and further His Kingdom. But beware: the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
  15. What else does God want me to know about money?
  • stack of 1sKeep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have. – Hebrews 13:5
  • To whom much is given, much is required. -Luke 12:48
  • Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. -Luke 16:10
  • His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ -Matthew 25:21
  • Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but store up treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:19-21
  • No one can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money. -Matthew 6:24