The Money Challenge for Teens with Art Rainer

Let’s talk about money!

How did you learn about money? I don’t remember anyone specifically sitting down with me to talk about money, but when I worked as a teen (at McDonald’s!) I knew that if I wanted to buy school clothes for myself, I couldn’t spend it on pizza with my friends on the weekends. I was mostly a saver, and I wasn’t concerned about brands. Yes, back in the 80s Guess and Jordache clothes were cool, but I’d rather have five outfits rather than one. Looking on the Blue Light Special rack at K-Mart was my idea of a good purchase, and I never did splurge on a Swatch watch.

Back in the 80s, I’d learn about brands and what was cool through commercials and magazines, but teens today are bombarded by all the coolest brands wherever they look. And that’s why it’s so important to have great conversations with teens about money. Teens will be hearing about what they can buy in many places, but in today’s podcast, you’ll hear about ways you can talk to them about wisely using their money instead … not just to store up for their future but also to spread the Good News of the gospel around the world. I know you’ll enjoy this podcast!

Who is Art Rainer?

Art Rainer is a vice president at The College at Southeastern in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He writes widely about issues related to finance, wealth, and generosity and is the author of The Money Challenge and The Marriage Challenge. Art lives in Wake Forest with his wife, Sarah, and three sons.

You can order The Money Challenge for Teens HERE.

About the Book:

Today’s teens are faced with more financial opportunities—and threats—than ever before, from summer jobs and scholarships to credit card applications and student loans. How are young people supposed to learn to avoid early pitfalls that could devastate their financial futures and instead take steps that can set them up for a future filled with security, contentment, and generosity? The Money Challenge for Teens can help.

Author Art Rainer introduces readers to some fictional young friends who are navigating financial waters and learning how God would want them to face college choices and car loans and thoughts about retirement (yes, even as a teenager!). While reading about the fictional friends’ steps and missteps, readers will learn simple, practical lessons and adopt real-life goals to start their journey to a healthy and godly financial future.

Walk It Out Scripture

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

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Connect with Art Rainer

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Special thanks to this week’s sponsor

Teaching My Children to Give Generously

I never planned on that very ordinary spring day to provide a teaching moment, yet that’s exactly how it turned out. I had just loaded my children into the car after a doctor’s appointment and a man, wearing tattered clothes, approached in a wheelchair. He asked if we had any food to spare, and I shared what I had to give: a sack lunch prepared for a picnic and a bakery donut I’d bought for my grandma. Joy filled his eyes when he realized the donut was cream-filled. The man was physically disabled but his humanity was displayed in a warm, thankful smile.

As I helped the man, three of my young children sat in the back of the car watching. To be honest in that moment I forgot they were there. Ages 3 to 6-years-old as we drove away they excitedly shared other ways they wanted to help the man. One of my daughters wanted to give her savings from her coin bank to him. My son wanted to share his bunkbed. Together we decided that while sharing a bunkbed wouldn’t work my children could use their savings to purchase items to create care bags. With a trip to the store, they purchased granola bars, toothbrushes, bottles of water, candy and mints and even socks. We packaged them up and keep these bags in the car.

Even years later, my children are excited to find people to extend compassion to. That one interaction was a first step to helping my children grow generous hearts. If you desire to have you children look beyond themselves to the needs of others, here are a few places to start:

Click over to the ECCU blog where I share 3 ways you can help your children look beyond themselves to the needs of others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

Walk It Out #141: The Money Challenge for Teens with Art Rainer