Discouraging Materialism in Your Family

As parents, we need to be careful what we teach our children about worldly possessions.

Remember the few special toys you had when you were a kid. Perhaps they were your favorite Christmas presents or toys you bought from your lemonade stand or grass cutting money. These days, some children are given so much that they tend to be unappreciative.

With so many material distractions, it’s difficult to teach children and even ourselves to focus on what God wants for our lives and not what we want in the moment. Our society has become comfortable with being materialistic. Young girls are influenced by heiresses instead of learning that they will inherit something much more important than money or lavish clothes. Boys are just as easily influenced.

Sadly, many of these boys and girls can tell you all about high-end fashion lines or expensive gadgets more than they can tell you about the Bible and Jesus. Some children can act as if it is our duty as parents to provide them with the top video games, the newest toys, and as they grow, even more expensive possessions. I have even known parents who have gone into debt to provide these “needs” for their children. The mentality of what children should have has become so skewed.

Earning something gives a child a sense of accomplishment and teaches them about hard work. When a child get’s things by whining, it teaches them that they can get whatever they want by acting out. The manipulation starts as they react more intensely to get what they want.

Many times I catch myself “rewarding” my children by buying things for them. I’ll say, “If you behave, I will get you a treat.”

It occurred to me the other day that my reaction is hurting my children. In effect, I am showing them that they deserve a reward just for doing something that they should be doing anyway. It should never get to the point where you have to bribe your child into obedience.

God intends for us to raise our children to work hard. He wants us to teach them about the things that are really important.

The Bible teaches us to not worry about possessions and things of the world.

Do not love this world, nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. I John 2:15 (NLT)

As Christian parents, we should be teaching our children to see that all these material possessions will simply gather dust and rust. All of the toys, expensive clothes, and games will never bring true happiness. The most important possession is the Kingdom of God. That is where all the treasure is, not in anything that can be found on this Earth.

Perhaps, we should remind ourselves of this as well. We are not of this world. Our material possessions ultimately have no value. They will disappear and be forgotten. The most valuable possession you can purchase for your children is a Bible. Within it holds the most important lessons you can teach them, eternal lessons not found in fashion magazines, video magazines, and makeover shows.

We may enjoy these things occasionally. However, be careful not allow what you own to own you.

Commit to Change

Here are a few things I am going to try with my children:

• I will teach them that with hard work they are rewarded. I will no longer allow them to get me to purchase something for them by whining and acting out. This seems simple, but I know personally that guilt can be associated with being the mom who will get your child the things that the world makes them think they need.

• I will limit myself and not allow my children to see me value possessions over life’s true blessings.

• I will teach them to appreciate and take care of what they do have more. Even if it is a toy that was not expensive, they should value all we buy them.

How do you counteract materialism in your own family?