The ABC's of Handling Money God's Way (Paperback)

Chapter One

The children were sad. It was raining and they could not play outside.

"I wish we had a puppy," Elizabeth said. "A puppy would help to make rainy days fun."

Elizabeth's friends, Paul, Juan and Sarah agreed.

Elizabeth's mother, Mrs. Day, said, "A puppy does sound like fun. But puppies cost money. And then you have to buy a collar, leash and dog food."

"I did not know puppies cost money," said Paul with a surprised look on his face.

"Mom, would you help us find ways to earn money?" asked Elizabeth.

"I will help you, if you do something for me," said Mrs. Day.

"What do you want us to do?" asked Sarah. Mrs. Day picked up her Bible. She said, "I want you to find out what God says about money."

Sarah's eyes grew large. "Does God talk about money?" she asked.

"Yes," said Mrs. Day smiling. "God loves you. He wants to help you use money in the best way. We will have twelve lessons. In each lesson you will answer some questions. And we will learn a Bible verse."

"That will be fun!" said the children.

"When can we start?" asked Juan.

"Right now," answered Mrs. Day. "First, let me tell you about the Bible. It is called the Word of God. Second Timothy 3:16 says the whole Bible was given to us ... by God and is useful to teach us what is true (LB). Psalm 119:105 tells us, Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. Lights help us see at night. And the Bible helps us see what God wants us to do with money."

"Do you think we can earn enough money to buy a puppy?" asked Juan.

"I sure do," said Mrs. Day.

"Look, it stopped raining!" shouted Sarah.

"We have finished lesson one," said Mrs. Day. "Do you want to play outside now?"

"Yes!" the kids shouted as they ran outside and jumped in a big puddle.

Learn this verse.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, NIV)

Answer these Questions.

Read 2 Timothy 3:16.

What does this verse say about the Bible? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Read Hebrews 12:4.

What does this verse say about the Word of God? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Why is the Bible called the Word of God? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Things to do ...

What is the name of each coin? How many cents is each coin worth?

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

If you do not have a Bible, please get one.

Write your prayer on page 77

Chapter Two

"It's mine! You can't have it," said Paul. He took the ball away from Juan.

"Paul, do you know who owns the ball?" asked Mrs. Day.

"I do. I bought it with my money." said Paul.

"Let's find out who really owns the ball," said Mrs. Day. She called the children together. "Elizabeth, will you read 1 Chronicles 29:11?"

Elizabeth opened her Bible and read, "Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord."

"Does that mean God owns my toys?" asked Sarah. "Does He even own my ball?" asked Paul.

"Let's read more to find out," replied Mrs. Day. She asked Paul to read 1 Corinthians 10:26.

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it," read Paul. "God does own everything, even my ball."

"Now listen to what else God says," Mrs. Day continued. "All the animals of field and forest are mine! The cattle on a thousand hills! And all the birds upon the mountains!" (Psalm 50:10, TLB).

Elizabeth exclaimed, "God even owns all the puppies!"

"Let's pray and ask Him to bring us one," said Juan excitedly.

"That is a good idea, Juan," Mrs. Day replied. Everyone bowed their heads and prayed for a puppy.

"In our next lesson," said Mrs. Day, "we will learn what the Lord wants us to do with our money and our things."

"I know something God wants me to do now", said Paul. "Take God's ball, Juan. You can play with it." Paul handed the ball to Juan.

Learn this verse.

"Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord." (1 Chronicles 29:11, TLB)

Answer these Questions.

Read Psalm 24:1. What does God own? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Read Psalm 50:10-12. List the animals in these verses that God owns. __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________

Things to do ...

Color some of the things in your room that God owns.

[ILLUSTRION OMITTED]

Chapter Three

The kids ran into the house as it began to rain.

"Everyone bring your Bible," said Mrs. Day.

"Let's do the next lesson. Paul, please read 1 Corinthians 4:2."

Paul read, "It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. What is a steward?" he asked.

"A steward takes care of someone else's things," replied Mrs. Day. "God owns everything. And we take care of God's things. The verse you read said we are to be faithful. What is a faithful steward?"

"I know, Mom," said Elizabeth. "A faithful steward takes good care of God's things."

"That's right, Elizabeth," replied Mrs. Day. "There was a faithful steward in the Bible. He took good care of animals. When he lived, it rained for 40 days without stopping. Does anyone know His name?"

"Noah," Juan said. "Noah took care of lots of animals in the ark."

"That was a lot of work," groaned Paul. "Think about feeding all those animals."

(Continues...)