Teaching Biblical Financial Wisdom to Your Kids
As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is not just financial literacy, but biblical financial wisdom—understanding that money is a tool entrusted to us by God, to be used with gratitude and purpose.
Teaching financial wisdom begins with modeling generosity, self-control, and biblical stewardship. This includes not just money, but also time and attention. As you practice faithfulness, you can incorporate discussions and activities to help your children grow in their own wisdom.
Here’s a framework for how you can begin laying a biblical foundation for finances at each age and stage.
Ages 3–5: Introducing Stewardship and Gratitude
Key Themes
An understanding that everything we have comes from God (Psalm 24:1).
Gratitude for what we have.
Simple concepts of giving and sharing.
Practical Ideas
Talk about ownership: Teach your children that everything ultimately belongs to God. When they receive toys, gifts, or treats, remind them that these are blessings from him. ("God gave us everything we have. How can we say thank you to him?")
Practice gratitude: Start bedtime prayers where you each thank God for specific things you were given that day.
Introduce giving: If your children receive a few coins or small amounts of money, encourage them to give part to your church or to help someone. Let them physically put coins into an offering basket so they experience the action.
Engage in play-based learning: Use games like pretend "store" to introduce the concept of exchanging value.
Verse to Emphasize
"Every good and perfect gift is from above." —James 1:17
Ages 6–10: Cultivating Responsibility and Generosity
Key Themes
An understanding that God entrusts us with resources to manage wisely (Matthew 25:14–30, Parable of the Talents).
The joy of giving.
The importance of work.
Practical Ideas
Introduce earning: Give small opportunities to earn money through extra chores (beyond basic family responsibilities). Connect work to reward in a healthy way.
Teach giving, saving, and spending. Help your children divide any earnings or gifts into three jars or envelopes—one for tithing/giving, one for saving, and one for spending.
Serve together: Engage as a family in ministry activities or community service as you guide them to discern their own giftedness and interests.
Discuss needs vs. wants: When they ask for something, guide them in thinking about whether it’s a true need or a want.
Celebrate generosity: If they choose to give, even in small ways, celebrate with them—not for pride, but to reinforce that giving reflects God’s heart.
Verse to Emphasize
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." —2 Corinthians 9:7
Ages 11–15: Building Stewardship Skills and a Biblical Worldview of Money
Key Themes
An understanding that managing money is part of managing your life wisely (Proverbs 21:5).
Money as a tool, not an identity.
Generosity, integrity, and diligence as lifelong values.
Practical Ideas
Create a simple budget: Help your children track income (such as allowance, earnings from odd jobs, gifts) and expenses. Teach them to plan ahead for bigger purchases.
Talk openly (but appropriately) about family finances: Invite your children to participate in discussions, and even some decisions, about budgeting, saving, giving, and spending.
Help set giving goals: Encourage them to pray about ministries or causes they might want to support.
Teach contentment: Talk about advertising, peer pressure, and social media’s influence, helping them recognize how culture can feed discontentment.
Deepen your engagement in serving as a family: Commit to regular ministry activities or community service that fits their giftedness and interests.
Verse to Emphasize
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty." —Proverbs 21:5
Ages 16–18: Preparing for Independence with a Kingdom Mindset
Key Themes
An understanding that God calls us to be wise managers of his resources (Luke 16:10–11).
Wealth as a responsibility, not just a privilege.
Our identity rooted in Christ, not material success.
Practical Ideas
Practice real-world budgeting: Teach children how to create a budget based on actual expenses.
Open a checking/savings account: Show them how to manage a bank account responsibly, emphasizing stewardship.
Introduce basic investing principles: Teach them about compound interest, wise investing, and avoiding debt, all while connecting these concepts to biblical wisdom about patience and long-term thinking.
Discuss financial integrity: Be transparent about times you've made wise financial choices—and mistakes—and how God's grace and wisdom have shaped your journey.
Envision future generosity and service: Help your children dream about how they can use their time, treasure, and talents to bless others—through tithing, giving, investing, and serving in Kingdom causes.
Verse to Emphasize
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." —Luke 16:10
For Any Stage of Life
Developing biblical financial wisdom is a lifelong discipleship journey. It’s not just about raising financially successful kids. It’s about raising faithful stewards who understand that money is not the goal—faithfulness to God is.
By starting early and tailoring conversations and actions to your child’s stage of life, you can help them grow into adults who handle money with intention, generosity, and joy—all for God’s glory.
Miller Wealth Management is a team of EverSource Wealth Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.
The information provided is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and does not take your personal circumstances into consideration. This information does not constitute an invitation, solicitation or offer that you purchase, sell, or hold any security or other investment or pursue any investment style or strategy. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized financial advice and investors should obtain tax and/or legal advice from a qualified tax professional and/or attorney.