I call this the great misunderstanding ? the idea that we give because churches need our money.

Most of the things we buy are wants. And we call them needs, but they're wants.

You've got to tell your money what to do or it will leave.

You have to teach children about money intentionally - create teachable moments.

You don't want to have so much money going toward your mortgage every month that you can't enjoy life or take care of your other financial responsibilities.

My children were taught at an early age how money works and that it comes from hard work. They've been on a commission - not an allowance - since they were little. They learned that if they worked around the house, they got paid. If they didn't work, they didn't get paid.