Preparing the Next Generation of Stewards with Sharon Epps

What if the greatest gift you leave your children isn’t your money, but your wisdom?As stewards, we often focus on managing God’s resources well during our lifetime—but what happens after we’re gone? How do we equip the next generation to carry on a legacy of faithful stewardship? Today, Sharon Epps joins us to talk about that.Sharon Epps is the President of Kingdom Advisors, FaithFi’s parent organization. Kingdom Advisors serves the broad Christian financial industry by educating and equipping professionals to integrate biblical wisdom and financial expertise.Recognizing God’s Design in Our ChildrenAt FaithFi, we frequently emphasize the importance of being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. But there’s a deeper question to consider: What about the next steward?Proverbs 13:22 tells us, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” While an inheritance can be a blessing, without preparation, it can also lead to conflict. That’s why we need to think carefully not just about passing on wealth, but also about passing on wisdom.One of the earliest ways to prepare the next steward is to recognize and nurture a child’s God-given giftedness. God created us to work, and part of stewardship is discovering how He’s uniquely wired us.Each child’s journey is unique, and our role as parents is to walk alongside them, offer opportunities, and pray that God will reveal their strengths.Giving Hands-On Money Management OpportunitiesEvery parent knows how painful it is to watch their children make poor choices—especially when it comes to money. But it’s so vital that we allow our kids to experience the natural consequences of their decisions.Wisdom grows when kids practice responsibility with real resources. That’s why it’s a good goal to aim for our children to manage a full spending plan before leaving home, whether that’s for college or to move out on their own. Starting with a simple envelope system—give, save, and spend—you can gradually add more categories as the kids grow. By the time they become young adults, they will have managed nearly all of their expenses except housing and insurance. This hands-on approach will ensure that by the time they launch into independence, they will not be starting from scratch.Starting Late? Don’t Lose HeartIf you feel behind in teaching your kids about stewardship, give yourself grace. None of us does this perfectly.Start with small steps—a dinner conversation about your own money journey, or letting your child help plan a family purchase. What matters is being intentional and inviting the Lord to guide the process.Preparing the next steward is not a one-time event—it’s a journey. Begin with prayer, asking God for wisdom, and do not hesitate to seek help from trusted friends, mentors, or financial professionals.And remember: more is caught than taught. Our children are learning as much from how we live as from what we say. By modeling faithful stewardship in our own lives, we give them the greatest inheritance of all: a life that reflects God’s wisdom and trust in His provision.If you’re looking for support in preparing your children to be wise stewards, consider working with a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)—someone who shares your values and can guide you on the journey. Visit FaithFi.com and click “Find a Professional” to get started.On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I left an employer five years ago and still have a pension with them. I also have an IRA. My wife and I are deciding whether to roll the pension into an IRA to earn more, or cash it out to pay off debt, such as our vehicles and student loans.I’m turning 62 soon, and my wife and I are both still working. We’re debt-free except for our mortgage. Should I start taking Social Security benefits now to invest or pay down the mortgage, or is it wiser to wait?I have a single-family home with approximately $125,000 remaining on the mortgage and sufficient savings to pay it off, which would still leave me with $15,000 in the bank. Should I pay off the mortgage now, or keep the money in savings?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Movement MortgageWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God’s resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.