Money in Child Rearing

We live in such a time when money is represented in all its diversity, reflecting all epochs - from the classical form of payment to virtual. Money is a universal tool for mutually beneficial exchange, payment for services, assessment of the value of something, accumulation and investment, which is used to simplify trading operations. In their absence, commodity exchange (barter) arises, but this is not always convenient and often leads to excess or great losses.

One way or another, our entire civilized world is material, and society is built so that money is its integral part. Everything is bought and sold. If someone decides to abolish money, then very soon they will have to invent it and put it into circulation again.

The history of money is very interesting and diverse. In the beginning there was primitive commodity exchange. Then precious metals and stones were introduced for paying for goods. After this, minted coins appeared, which had a certain weight and value. It was very convenient to pay with them and save them, understanding how much you have. Then paper money appeared, which facilitated their transportation and storage. They became a guarantee of the state and banking system that they could be exchanged for valuable metals and precious stones. Later, cashless electronic money came into use, with which you can pay without cash. In our time, cryptocurrency has appeared, the application and value of which is difficult to determine for an ordinary consumer.

It should be taken into account that the last test of faithfulness to God, according to Scripture, will take place in the financial sphere, so it is important to understand the essence of trade relations and see those traps that the enemy of the soul has set.

Children do not need money, but caring for them requires large financial investments. Children need to be explained that family money is not an easy gift, but the result of many efforts and labor of their parents.

At some point, it is necessary to give the child instruction in the financial sphere, explaining what money is needed for and how to use it correctly. While the child is small, this can be done in a playful way, starting to teach that money has a certain value and you can acquire necessary things with it.

Children aged 3 to 5 years do not understand the value of money and can give away all their "savings" for a beautiful wrapper. Parents need to give wise instruction and come up with games that will help the child get acquainted with money and understand that different goods have different costs.

The child needs to be given the opportunity to hold cash in their hands, teach them to recognize it and distinguish more valuable bills or coins from less valuable ones. It is necessary to explain the cost of certain goods, showing what money can be used to pay for them.

For more advanced learning, you can create a "virtual store" with toy goods, where there will be real sellers and buyers. For playing with money, it is not necessary to give real money - you can come up with an alternative: draw and print "virtual" bills with a certain value, explaining to children the meaning of the numbers on them.

You should not be afraid to introduce the child to the world of money, but at the same time it is important to explain that money is not a goal, but a means and tool for achieving set goals.

Children very quickly understand the value of money and that you can quickly acquire desired things with it. But it is necessary to teach them to distinguish the desired from the necessary.

The older the child becomes, the stronger their interest in money and desire to possess certain amounts that they can spend on what they like. Here special wisdom is needed to explain to the child the difference between "I want," "I need" and vitally important things. This can be done with the help of questions, so that the child themselves determines what is important and what is not very important.

It is also worth giving lessons in frugality and generosity, showing that expensive things are not bought for small money, and to buy them, it is necessary to learn to set aside and save. It is important to convey to the mind and show in practice that charity brings more happiness than acquiring material values.

The Bible speaks more often about trade relations between people than about other spheres of relationships. In God's Word there are many examples and instructions about how to properly handle money. It is important for parents to take note of these verses in order to instill useful biblical advice on resource management in children.

In school years, children become more literate and learn to count quickly. From this age they need to be given pocket money and taught how to handle it better, observing how they spend it.

At this time it is necessary to explain that money can not only be spent, but also set aside, saved or invested in long-term projects that will bring profit. Children should understand that budget planning is the basis of financial literacy, helps to wisely manage available funds and plan further expenses.

Financial education should also include the concept of charity and setting aside tithes for God.

The school curriculum does not contain lessons on financial literacy, so parents need to study this science themselves and pass it on to their children. Literacy is not only knowledge about something, but also the ability to use it wisely.

Children need to be explained that money is not only a means, but also time, part of life that a person spends on earning it, and literacy in this matter makes a person responsible, expands their horizons, opens perspectives and advantages of a wise approach, and also protects from many mistakes.

Children should help parents with household chores without thinking about payment for their work, but it is worth determining some types of work for which they could receive additional money. For example, washing a car or cleaning a car interior. Useful paid work teaches children that they will be able to achieve many of their material desires and goals through their own efforts. You can agree with neighbors or friends to offer your children some types of paid work and services.

It is necessary to involve the child in the planning process. For example, if they want to buy some expensive toy that they consider very necessary, then it is necessary to explain the price of this thing to them and tell them how, through setting aside and saving funds, they can accumulate for this and acquire it. Planning develops patience and teaches wise handling of available funds.

Children should understand that money is not endless and it sometimes runs out, that mistakes in planning their budget and spending money is a normal phenomenon that should not be feared, but which should teach something.

It is important to explain that careless handling of money leads to debt obligations, which is undesirable to have and should be avoided.

The personal example of parents in how they handle money will not escape the attention of children and will have a certain influence on their approach to financial literacy. Teaching your children this science, you yourself will discover much for yourself and see your mistakes.

1. Please read Job 28:12-17; Matt.6:24; Luke 12:15; 1Tim.6:10; Prov.2:1-6; 8:10-11; 13:1; 21:5; 22:29; 23:4-5; Gen.13:2; 24:53; Eccl.5:8-9; 10:19, in light of this chapter.

2. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. What is money, and why is it needed?

5. From what age is it best to start teaching children to handle money?

6. Do you think a child needs financial literacy?

7. How to explain to a child the difference between paid and gratuitous labor?

8. How to explain to a child the difference between "I want" and "I need"?

9. What games will help children understand the value of money and goods?

10. Why is it important to teach children frugality?

11. When giving out pocket money, should you observe where children spend it?

12. How to protect children from greed and envy?

13. How to cultivate charity in a child?

14. How to teach children to see money as a means, not a goal?