In the Ashworth house we talk a lot about money. We homeschool our three boys and because neither of us had an extensive knowledge of money management as young people, my husband and I try to teach our sons at every opportunity.

In our house, our boys learn valuable lessons like “time is money” and “money doesn’t grow on trees”. We talk about how working for yourself is always nicer than working for someone else, yet, there are many instances when it is better to work for someone else.

The whole thing is confusing and comes down to one thing: money is power.

Power gets you through any door. It gets you into any office. It gets you what you want and what you need.

When boys and girls alike daydream about being President someday, we have to remind them that power wins in politics.

It’s true of politics in the government and it’s true of politics in the church: money is power.

What to teach your kids about politics in the church?

This is a touchy subject in the church and in the house. Among adults, you have to wade carefully through your vocabulary to avoid offending someone. Among children, you want to be careful not to help them form your opinion about things instead of their own.

But sometimes it is pretty easy to point out the correlation between money and politics in the church.

I recently read an excellent book about personal and corporate goal setting. It was written by a world-renowned pastor and best selling author. It was great, but it made something even more clear to me. Even ministers, churches, and organizations are more powerful with more money.

This pastor had amazing stories about revitalizing and ministering to urban areas. He had breathtaking accounts of testimonies and faith. Interspersed here and there, however, were visits with incredibly wealthy politicians and celebrities. Through reading his book it’s more evident than ever that money means power. Even in the church, whether you’re in the state capitol or the mission field.

So, what do you do when power and politics come inside the church?

When teaching yourselves and your families about politics and power in the world and in the church, remember that Jesus operated apart from it all.

Read the gospels together to help yourselves and your children understand how Jesus experienced the world while not getting wrapped up in it.

Had Jesus lived today, he would be famous. He would be TikTok famous and Instagram famous. He’d be on the television and the news. He’d be eating with kings and politicians, running with the best…right?

Or would he?

In today’s day of anyone can be President and TikTok can pay for college, it can be hard to come down to earth. It is a thrill to get likes, make posts, see the views go up and up. Going viral can be like getting high. Chasing the high becomes chasing more views, produce more videos, create more content.

Where does it end?

I think the best way to keep our feet firmly planted on the ground is to be more like Jesus.

Instead of reading self-help books and following the next big social media celeb, check out the gospels.