Teaching Children What Scripture Teaches About Money – Part One
How can we teach children to have a biblical and balanced view of money? More importantly, how do we teach them to open God’s Word for themselves, hiding those biblical precepts in their hearts? How does our God, Who knows our needs before we even ask Him (Matthew 6), view material resources that make such a huge part of our daily lives?
Almost two hundred years ago, a young man sought answers to these questions. There is nothing like watching someone put God’s Word into practice, and such is the story of George Muller – famous for feeding and housing over 10,000 orphans during his lifetime and the amazing answers to prayer he received in carrying out the work. He found not only answers in the pages of Scripture, but an entire life-calling to live in such a way as to be living proof we can “take God by his word, and to rely upon it”.[1]
As the autumn of 1830 came into full splendor, a 25-year-old pastor made an unexpected announcement to his congregation: Henceforth, he would be giving up his salary, trusting only in the Lord to meet his family’s needs. In his autobiography, Muller lists his reasons for this decision and the scriptures supporting them. In highlighting those reasons, my hope is not that your children will copy George Muller’s ministry, but see what God can do with a heart fully obedient to His Word. With that, let’s learn more about how young George was a doer of the Word.
Scriptures For Personal Life:
While Muller recognized money belongs first to God, he saw also it matters to God where the money comes from. In 19th century England, it was standard practice for pews to be rented out to support the clergy. Quite literally, you had “your” pew and were expected to pay to attend services. As can be expected, the rich who could afford a higher rent often had a better seat than their poorer brethren. Two passages pricked Muller’s conscience of the offense of this practice:
“For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” (James 2:2-4, KJV.)
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7, KJV)
Driven by the word, Muller adopted the very unconventional approach of accepting volunteer offerings for his support – a practice he continued until his death at ninety-two. Part Two will showcase the scriptures Muller established his ministry on.
Kenzi Knapp is a follower of Christ, homeschool graduate and student of history. A fourth generation Missourian she enjoys writing about daily life enrolled in Gods great course of faith and His story throughout the ages at her blog, Honey Rock Hills.
[1] Life of Trust: Autobiography of George Muller, edited by H. Lincoln Wayland, pg. 114, 1868
