Every now and then, one of my adult children will say something that stops me in my tracks:
“Remember when you and Dad decided not to buy ____ because it just wasn’t the right time because you hadn’t prepared for it?”
“Remember how you used to say, ‘We’re going to pray before we spend that much money’?”
“It’s amazing to me how little our friends know about how to manage their finances. Thank you for talking to us about that.”
Often, I barely remember the moment. But they do.
It’s both humbling and encouraging to realize just how closely our children are watching—not just our homeschooling, but also our habits, priorities, and spending.
As we head into the Christmas season and the end of the year, it’s a great time to pause and remember:
Financial stewardship is not just a money issue—it’s a discipleship issue.
What we model, they multiply.
Our children are learning far more from how we live than from what we lecture.
They’re noticing…
- Whether we pray before big purchases.
- Whether we choose contentment over comparison.
- Whether we say “no” to good things so we can say “yes” to God’s best.
- Whether we panic over provision—or rest in God’s faithfulness.
And someday, those lessons will quietly resurface when they are making decisions for their own families.
I’ve been reminded recently that I didn’t always recognize how much my kids were watching. I was just “doing the next thing”—paying bills, buying groceries, juggling homeschool and ministry. But looking back now, I can see that God was using even our imperfect attempts at stewardship to shape their hearts.
That is both a sobering and a hopeful thought.
Bringing Our Kids Into Stewardship
One of the best ways we can disciple our children in this area is by inviting them into the process, instead of doing all the thinking and decision-making behind closed doors.
Here are a few simple ways to do that as we finish out the year:
- Talk through one family decision out loud. Maybe it’s scaling back on eating out to stay out of debt or waiting a little while before you make a big purchase you’ve been contemplating. Let your kids hear why you’re choosing what you’re choosing.
- Allow them to pray with you when you’re praying about a special provision you need. As your children get older, allow them to pray with you about specific needs you have as a family. You don’t necessarily need to tell them everything, but seeing God’s hand at work can strengthen their faith just like it does yours.
- Let them help you look for wisdom, not just “deals.” Show them how you compare prices, plan ahead, or avoid impulse buys—not just so you can save, but so you can steward what God has provided.
- Practice delayed gratification together. Write down a “want” and agree to wait 30 days. Revisit it together and ask, “Do we still want this? Is this the best use of what God has given us?”
- Connect saving to serving. When you cut a cost or make a wise decision, talk about what that frees you to do—attend a God-honoring event, give to missions, bless another family, or simply reduce stress so you can focus more fully on discipleship at home.
None of this has to be perfect or fancy. You don’t have to become a financial expert overnight. You simply need to be a faithful model in front of the children God has entrusted to you.
This Week on the Teach Them Diligently Podcast
Because this topic is so timely—and because many of us feel the pressure of finances especially acutely at this time of year—I invited Jenny Martin, founder of Southern Savers and longtime homeschool mom, to join me on the Teach Them Diligently Podcast.
Jenny shares:
- How her family went from “hemorrhaging money” to cutting hundreds from their monthly expenses
- A simple shift in how we approach groceries and household needs
- Practical ways to involve our kids in saving, planning, and spending wisely
- Ideas for using everyday money decisions as ongoing discipleship moments
It’s full of encouragement and practical tips, especially for homeschool families trying to stretch every dollar without losing sight of their mission.
👉 Click here to listen to the episode with Jenny Martin and be encouraged in your own journey of stewardship and discipleship.
As you head into this Christmas season, my prayer is that God will give you clarity, peace, and wisdom—not just about what you give or spend, but about the lasting lessons your children are learning along the way.
They’re watching.
And by God’s grace, what they see can point their hearts straight to Him.
