Preparing the Next Generation of Stewards with Sharon Epps

Giving Hands-On Money Management Opportunities

Every parent knows how painful it is to watch their children make poor choices—especially when it comes to money. But it’s so vital that we allow our kids to experience the natural consequences of their decisions.

Wisdom grows when kids practice responsibility with real resources. That’s why it’s a good goal to aim for our children to manage a full spending plan before leaving home, whether that’s for college or to move out on their own. 

Starting with a simple envelope system—give, save, and spend—you can gradually add more categories as the kids grow. By the time they become young adults, they will have managed nearly all of their expenses except housing and insurance. This hands-on approach will ensure that by the time they launch into independence, they will not be starting from scratch.

Starting Late? Don’t Lose Heart

If you feel behind in teaching your kids about stewardship, give yourself grace. None of us does this perfectly.

Start with small steps—a dinner conversation about your own money journey, or letting your child help plan a family purchase. What matters is being intentional and inviting the Lord to guide the process.

Preparing the next steward is not a one-time event—it’s a journey. Begin with prayer, asking God for wisdom, and do not hesitate to seek help from trusted friends, mentors, or financial professionals.

And remember: more is caught than taught. Our children are learning as much from how we live as from what we say. By modeling faithful stewardship in our own lives, we give them the greatest inheritance of all: a life that reflects God’s wisdom and trust in His provision.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I left an employer five years ago and still have a pension with them. I also have an IRA. My wife and I are deciding whether to roll the pension into an IRA to earn more, or cash it out to pay off debt, such as our vehicles and student loans.
• I’m turning 62 soon, and my wife and I are both still working. We’re debt-free except for our mortgage. Should I start taking Social Security benefits now to invest or pay down the mortgage, or is it wiser to wait?
• I have a single-family home with approximately $125,000 remaining on the mortgage and sufficient savings to pay it off, which would still leave me with $15,000 in the bank. Should I pay off the mortgage now, or keep the money in savings?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Movement Mortgage
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App