It’s really never too early to teach your children the life lessons you want them to carry throughout their lives. It’s with this in mind, I want to share with you the two that are most important to my wife Amy and I.

How to Live for Christ

A couple months ago, some good friends of ours told us about a family mission trip they were planning to the Navajo Reservation in Arizona and wanted to know if we would go with them. We weren’t in a place financially to afford it, but knowing that we serve a great God and if we desire to do His will, he will provide. We prayed together as a family for the means to go, teach others about Christ and have an experience of a lifetime. Well, we are pleased to share that we leave on July 9th and your prayers for our success and safety will be appreciated.

But it doesn’t require a mission trip to teach this life lesson. As a family, you can serve food to the homeless at downtown pantry, help an elderly friend with some chores around their house, or find other creative ways for others to see Christ living in you. Basically, the best way to teach your children is by letting them watch you live it yourself.

How to Live within Your Means

Another important lesson we hope to teach our kids is how to live within their means. Even though our children are only 12 and 9, we are already teaching them about finances. They each have three envelopes: 1 for giving, 1 for saving and 1 for spending. We keep it simple. By doing this, each month, they know exactly what money they have and where it goes. They give 10%, save 10% and spend 80% and never go beyond their means.

What is exciting for my wife and I is when these two life lessons connect. Last week my daughter decided that she wanted to give money to a couple of the people we met at the food pantry. As much as I wanted to talk with her about other ways to use this money, I fought the urge and allowed her to be led to bless these two people. Her tender heart and their reaction at the gift was a very proud moment for me to say the least.

If we are taking the time throughout the weeks and months to really pay attention to our money and where it is going and work to live on less than we make, we will have the freedom to take that step of faith and put it all in God’s hands.

If you want to hear more about my thoughts on kids and money you can listen to the radio show I did on Monday 6/27 @ www.blogtalkradio.com/thecreditandfinanceshow or if you have any questions please contact me at 317.858.7270 or jeff@thefinancecoach.net