It's Not MY Money

"The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth with gain. This also is vanity."

(Ecclesiastes 5:10)

Share with the children the following Aesop fable:

A dog with a fine slab of meat in his mouth crossed a bridge over a river and saw his reflection in the water. Thinking it to be another dog with a larger piece of meat, he let go of his own his own and dived at the other dog to take it. He surfaced with nothing, and his dinner washed away in the current.

Explain that this fable is an example of what happens when we make money or possessions our most important goal — we can wind up losing everything! Ask the children to think of other stories they know in which the desire for wealth ruins a person's life (for example, King Midas).

The Bible reminds us that if we make money our goal, then we will never be satisfied or have enough money. Ask the children how they think God wants us to use money. Explain that God wants us to be good stewards of money. Ask a child to look up the word "steward" in a dictionary and to share its meaning. A steward is a person who manages someone else's money. Explain that our money is truly God's money. God has given us money to manage in God's best interest. Ask the children to talk about ways in which money can be used to please God.

Encourage the children to write their own fables about the godly use of money. Make sure that the children include the moral or the lesson to each fable. nvite the children to share their fables. Consider publishing some of the well-written fables in the church newsletter or on the church website.

Challenge the children to name as many of their blessings as they can. Explain that money, if used wisely, can be a source of blessing; however, money is certainly not our only blessing or even the most important blessing. A cure for greediness is thankfulness!

Prayer

Dear God, help me remember that whatever money I have is not really mine — it is your money. Help me to be a good steward of everything that you have given me. Thank you for my many blessings. I thank you especially for (insert some specific blessings). Amen.

Questions for Discussion

• What does it mean to be a good steward?
• What are some ways you can use money to please God?
• Why do so many people think that they can do whatever they want with money?
• What are some things you can do to remind yourself that you are God's steward?

Janet Zimmerman is an ordained United Methodist deacon, who serves as Christian Education Director at Church of the Lakes in Canton, Ohio.

Posted in 2004.