There is a couple I know who earn very good money, and yet they live simply, without any status symbols or luxuries, with money set aside for charity. It’s a trimmed-down life for them and their six children.

Every month the mother gathers the six children around the checkbook. For each check that she writes to whomever it might be, to whatever cause or charity she tells them a story: This is why these people need it more than we need it.”

And so those kids actually know where the family money is going and that it isn’t there in the bank account for them to buy a new toy.

from Radical Grace