Many parents have made this statement to our children over and over again hoping that it would sink in. Parenthood seems to be centered on our kid’s needs, wants, and desires. We know that money does not grow on trees but if our children understood the concept of finances they can become that tree. Here’s an alarming statistic – 60% of parents support their adult age children financially. It’s nothing wrong financially supporting children but at some point we must cut the rope for the learning experience to kick in. Our objective is not to raise children but to raise future responsible adults.
Every tree is known by their fruit (Luke 6:44). Children can produce good fruit by parents teaching and communicating responsibility in finances. Helping our children become financially responsible rests into four areas – stewardship, budgeting, giving, and investing. We must help them understand they have a God given responsibility (stewardship) to bear fruit in their lives. They will understand that having money to live life is essential and will think twice about haphazardly spending. Training and teaching of finances in budgeting, giving and investing will prepare them for adulthood. “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit (Matthew 12:33). We are responsible for their instruction. The best instruction to give them will be life experiences. As you assist in their education, here are some thought starters:
Life experiences will teach our children how to handle most financial situations. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning (Proverbs 9:9). Our children’s success is an indicator of how well we have trained them.
Make it a great day
Cedric Dukes
http://07b.46a.myftpupload.com