God's Stewards

A teenager, managing his pocket money, is not obligated to immediately do everything correctly—he simply doesn't know how yet and doesn't know how. And before requiring or expecting something from him, he needs to be taught this and explained why he should act this way and not otherwise. It's always necessary to leave him freedom in making decisions, because he may see the situation completely differently, not as you do. Mistakes in handling money can become a good tool for teaching the teenager many useful laws.

If in your youth you didn't receive any money from anyone and therefore now don't intend to give it to your children, don't repeat the mistakes of your parents and mentors—be wiser teachers.

The absence of pocket money can contribute to the development in the teenager's consciousness of evil temptations and illegal ways—such as theft, fraud, envy, love of money, and deception—for the sake of obtaining desired things.

If you simply give your son or daughter pocket money and don't take interest in how they spend it, then the main goal of such an undertaking will not be achieved. Parents should not only provide for their children, but also teach them to manage even small funds, to be faithful stewards. Wise mentors will never hand over large sums for personal expenses to an inexperienced teenager, since the young person has no acute need for this, and he can quickly get used to such handouts, and then consider a smaller sum an insult or even robbery. But what's important is not so much the very fact of handing over pocket money, as friendly control from parents and gentle instruction at a convenient opportunity.

Wise questions and stories about one's own youthful mistakes in handling finances can contribute to trust and open conversations on this topic. The absence of condemnation from adults will open the teenager's heart for dialogue, in which he can boldly share his plans, dreams, boast about purchases, and rejoice together with you.

If you see that the teenager quickly spends everything, and then yearns waiting for the next "portion" of money, don't accelerate events with premature payments. It's better to explain that a similar attitude toward money existed in you too, but you learned to overcome it—and tell how.

The handing over of pocket money is like a training gym before entering adult life, where any mistakes can cost very dearly and painfully.

The younger the teenager, the more willingly he will accept learning in game form. Suggest playing master and steward: you give a certain sum and wait for a full report on its expenditure. If the steward was wise, you declare him a good and faithful servant and invite him into your joy. And if he made a mistake—give him valuable advice and express faith that next time he will act differently.

Always remember that everything should be with love and from love. And if you lack this—ask God, and it will be given to you.

It's important to explain to the teenager that a good thing costs good money, and you need to save for it, setting aside a certain sum each time.

A good practice will be to start a notebook for accounting received and spent funds. This will help the teenager quickly learn to separate the needed from the desired.

If you see that the child is fired up with desire to acquire something valuable—let him write down this goal in numbers and regularly mark each contribution to its achievement. You, in turn, observing his efforts and wise approach, can promise to add something from yourself—on condition that your additional funds will go only toward this goal.

It's also important, besides pocket money, to teach the teenager to seek additional ways to earn by his own labor. This is not difficult to organize, agreeing with friends or neighbors about small payment for some services. But you shouldn't turn household duties into business. What the teenager should do around the house shouldn't be paid for. But special assignments—for example, washing dad's car or ironing his shirt—can be made paid.

A wise attitude toward control over income and expenses teaches the teenager to value money and understand where it comes from.

In matters of spiritual donations there should not be the slightest pressure, condemnation, or coercion from parents—only explanation of why this is important and how to do it correctly. The teenager should understand that God will never condemn or punish someone who decides to give Him everything, and even more than expected. Show by your love how the Lord loves a cheerful giver. Share with children your stories of sacrifice and joy from such actions.

In the sphere of donations, explain that sacrifice to God is not an investment expecting profit. Sacrifice is giving forever, out of love for God, with desire to give Him the very best. And generosity is not quantity or price, but a state of heart. It's also important to convey the truth that Jesus identifies Himself with every person, and by helping needy people, we thereby serve God in the person of these people.

Teach children to be faithful in returning the tithe, to consult with God before each purchase, to ask Him for wisdom in managing finances and in acquiring new funds by honest means.

Children should understand that parents are not judges and not controllers, but mentors, helpers, sponsors, and their first employers.

Pocket money brightly reveals inner selfishness, but also reveals a generous heart. It reveals wastefulness or greed, gratitude or a consumer attitude, striving to work or desire to receive everything for free. But in the father's house all these qualities are in the safe shell of parental care, where father and mother seek a wise approach—to correct shortcomings or establish virtues.

Don't turn pocket money into a means of manipulation to achieve discipline or fulfill any tasks. Let it be for the teenager like the sun—shining on both good and evil, both obedient and disobedient. Don't humiliate the child's dignity with phrases like: "Again you bought all sorts of nonsense!" or "When will you learn to handle money?" Raise a wise heart in the teenager, controlling only what opens to you through trusting relationships.

It's important to convey to the teenager that in life what's more important is not what you have, but who you are. Chasing after what's "like everyone else" quickly tires, ruins, and doesn't bring true joy—only forces you to buy more and more, mistakenly thinking that this is the secret of happiness and universal respect.

The teenager should clearly understand who manages whom: he manages money, or money manages him? Does his environment dictate to him what he should be and how to spend money, or does he make these decisions himself?

Parents, always remember: gentle, unobtrusive conversation and wise questions are stronger and more useful than any check. Try to notice not only expenses, but also the teenager's needs, not only mistakes, but also wise investments. Teach him to plan and invest money in what can not only please the eye and stomach, but also bring additional income.

1. Please read Luke 16:10; 1 Cor. 4:2; 2 Cor. 9:7; Prov. 3:9-10; 10:4; 11:25; 13:1,11; 21:5; 22:29; 24:3-4; Eccl. 7:12; Acts 20:35; 1 Tim. 6:10; Matt. 6:24, in light of this lesson.

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

3. What was revealed to you in this chapter?

4. What is the main goal of pocket money—simply to please the child or to teach something?

5. Why do you think God entrusts "little" before entrusting "much"? (Luke 16:10)

6. Does dad's generosity or greed influence the teenager's attitude toward money?

7. How does "giving money" differ from "teaching to manage it"?

8. What does it mean to be a "good steward" in the context of teenage years?

9. How can you encourage a teenager to share without forcing?

10. Should you punish for irresponsible spending? Why?

11. How to turn an unsuccessful purchase into a lesson of wisdom?

12. Why is it important to connect the topic of money with the topic of work?

13. How should parents support a teenager wanting to earn extra money?

14. What might happen if a teenager is given a bank card without explanations and control?