Jon and I have been wanting to set up some sort of commission for Josiah since we went through Financial Peace University. Life got a little chaotic for a while and it got put on the back burner. We just started our system a couple weeks ago. It's been a great experience and has got me thinking...how much are we adults like a 4 year old?
The system is simple (and derived from www.simplemom.net). Josiah gets a sticker for each day that he completes each "chore." He receives a nickle for each sticker at the end of the week. 
Our goal is to teach him that 1) you work hard to earn money and 2) you need to manage your money well. We count out his earnings and then tell him to divide it up between giving to the church, saving some in the bank and keeping some in an envelope in Mom's purse to spend.
The first week, his eyes were sparkling off the reflection of the coins before him. He was eager to grab them all for himself. We stopped and reminded him that his money is going to three places. I took some money aside to give to church and he immediately protested! I explained that one way we show God we love Him is by giving back to His church. And isn't God so generous to let us keep most of it? He wasn't so sure, but acquiesced. I took another portion aside for his bank account (which we plan to match for him) and then he had a whole dollar left for spending (a lot for a 4 year old!).
I thought a lot about his response and realized how many adults are just like that. We get our hard-earned dollars and don't want to let go! Many times there is no concern for giving to God's work. Many times there is also no concern to be wise and save. Many times there is no concern for even managing well what we have to spend (budgeting, etc.). Our country is full of a bunch of developmental toddlers when it comes to money!
There can be good news though! Here's what happened the second week Josiah got paid...
I presented him with all the money he earned for the week. He was equally eager to snatch it up! I stopped and asked him, "where's one place your money goes?" He answered, "church!" I set aside a portion of his earnings for giving...without protest from the wage earner. I asked him, "where's another place your money goes?" He replied, "the bank!" I put that money aside...again without protest. I asked him, "where's the last place your money goes?" He excitedly answered, "to spend!" I put the largest portion of his money in his envelope in my purse.
I was very surprised and proud that Josiah had so quickly learned some basics of stewardship. I started thinking about why and how? I think it was because 1) he had accountability (from us) and 2) he started to develop a habit.
This can be the same for us adults. We can easily learn to be good managers of our money and stewards of God's resources. We need to develop some sort of accountability (with a spouse or close friend). We also need to just start doing it - giving and saving. It becomes easier the more you do it! Each time you put that check in the offering plate, your joy increases. Your bank account may be getting emptier, but your heart is getting fuller! Every time you choose to transfer that money over to the savings account rather than having an extra meal out to eat, the easier it is to set money aside in the future. You find yourself wanting to sacrifice more and more to see that savings account grow and grow (or extra money to your debt making it shrink and shrink!).
Who knows? Your accountability may come when you are paying your toddler their earnings!
For more info on how to begin managing your money well, go to www.josephsangl.com
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