Teaching Children Financial Stewardship Through Family Contribution

It is right that working children should contribute to the household by sharing in family responsibilities and learning stewardship over resources as they are ableAH 386.3+2.

Teaching children financial responsibility and industry is a crucial part of preparing them for life and ensuring the family unit remains secureST January 7, 1903, par. 4. When the youth understand the cost of things, they appreciate advantages more fully and avoid becoming helpless burdens on othersCCh 156.4+2.

Principles of Financial Stewardship and Contribution

The youth must learn that money is a gift entrusted to them by God to be used in His serviceAH 386.3. Because of this trust, they are expected to practice economy and restrict their desires, especially when the income for home expenses is limitedAH 386.3.

• Living Within Means: Children must be taught to bring their wants within their parents' meansAH 386.3. A lack of economy in the family unit can require double the necessary support for one family compared to anotherGW92 358.1.

• Faithfulness in Small Things: Strict economy must be taught, remembering that money spent on items they do not need is money used improperlyBEcho September 3, 1894, par. 9. The principle is established that those who are faithful in that which is least—including managing small amounts of money—will also be faithful in much, including eternal responsibilities Luke 16:10AH 386.3+1.

• Self-Reliance: Parents should educate their children to be diligent and able to sustain themselves, not to rely entirely on othersTSB 72.3+1.

The Value of Shared Duties

Beyond monetary contribution, participation in household duties is integral to a child’s education and character developmentCG 295.3+2.

• Sharing Burdens: Few young people currently feel it is their duty to bear a part of the family burden, but parents are instructed to teach them to share these responsibilitiesRH March 21, 1882, par. 4+1. When children assist, they increase their parents' ability to engage in other useful work7T 63.1.

• Honoring Parents: Failing to participate in home duties means neglecting the obligations owed to parents, which is a transgression of the command to honor them Exodus 20:121LtMs, Lt 27, 1868, par. 6.

• Practical Education: Training children in useful labor appropriate to their age prepares their minds for diligence and usefulness in all areas of life, even missionary workCG 295.3+1. The character formed through diligently performing these simple duties is the material that lasts for eternityYI November 3, 1886, par. 5.

By engaging cheerfully in these duties and exercising self-control regarding personal expenditures, children learn vital lessons that prepare them for greater responsibilities aheadBEcho September 3, 1894, par. 9+1.