My kids own enough toys to fill a Target aisle. Their clothes closet? Jam packed. Take a quick look around our house and you might think we’re one of those excessive American families with no sense of money’s value.
But come a little closer. You’ll discover most of the clothes my children own were handed down from their cousins—or bought on super clearance because Momma loves a bargain. And those toys? Gifts, mostly, or else acquired through our semi-annual Christmas and birthday splurge.
We appreciate our material things. But we know they’re not everything. I want to teach my kids to be good stewards of what God has given us—which includes a willingness to pay it forward. Here are four healthy habits that help build God’s financial value system in our children.
1. Work Pay
In our house, we don’t use the term “allowance.” Instead, we call it “work pay.” Our kids know money is earned. Daddy works, he gets paid. Mommy works, she gets paid. Children work, they get paid.
“Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich” (Proverbs 10:4, NLT).
Certain chores, such as making beds and picking up toys, are expected as part of the family contribution. Beyond those, we offer special tasks for “work pay” such as folding laundry or helping Dad gather sticks in the yard. Right now my five-year-old is earning work pay to save for a special dinosaur toy. It’s tempting to buy the toy for her just so I can see her face light up. But the process of earning work pay will build her character beyond “happy” to “wise.” And I’m willing to bet she’ll appreciate that dinosaur far more for having worked toward it.
2. Grace Money
This might sound contradictory to work pay, but in fact it’s just as biblical. Every once in a while, my husband and I give our daughters an extra bit of cash, undeserved, just because we love them. We call that grace money. They do nothing to earn it; it’s a free gift, just like God’s love.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8–9, NLT).
3. Give, Save, Spend
In the Bible, God’s people were told to reserve their “first fruits” for the Lord, meaning they gave the best of their crops and livestock to the temple. Modern-day Christians still uphold this principle by giving a portion of their income to the church. We can teach our kids to do the same, even from a very early age.
For every dollar they earn, encourage your children to give a portion to the church offering, save a portion for their piggy banks, and spend the rest (with Mom and Dad’s guidance). I love author Courtney DeFeo’s “Lil Money Jars” for practicing this principle. You can find her tutorial on how to make your own jars here.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce” (Proverbs 3:9 NLT).
4. Upcycle
We all know kids outgrow clothes faster than they can zip them. If your child’s closets are cluttered with items you no longer need, why not use those items to fund new purchases? Or, more specifically, gently used purchases. Here are three of my favorite solutions for stewarding my daughters’ wardrobes.
- ThredUp. This is my favorite online site for buying and selling resale items. ThredUp will pay cash or store credit for your gently used clothes, shoes and accessories (kid sizes and adult!) then resell them to budget-conscious moms. Just create an account, order a free shipping bag, load it with unwanted goodies and send it off. When ThredUp credits your account, you can shop for “new” clothes for your kids at a fraction of the price, without actually spending anything out of pocket. (Bonus disclosure: If you sign up through this affiliate link, ThredUp will give you $10 to spend on your first purchase. No strings attached.)
- Get social. Who has time for rummage sales? Today we busy moms can barter on social media after the kids are in bed. Post photos, prices and item descriptions to a local buy/sell group on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Buyers can browse at their convenience and comment to snag a purchase. If no such group exists in your area, start one! Other moms will thank you.
- Party with a purpose. Plan a clothing swap event and invite all your mom friends. Instruct everybody to bring a laundry basket full of castoffs to trade for other women’s goods. This is a wonderful way to upcycle used clothing while saving money on new-to-you items for your kids—and for you, too. After all, resale isn’t just for children’s gear. Somewhere out there a jean jacket is calling your name.
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38, NLT).
When we make these four habits a regular part of family life, our kids will grow up understanding biblical stewardship from experience. Imagine what a blessing that will be to their spouses and children. Now that is the ultimate way to pay it forward!
Blessings,
Becky
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