What Money Cannot Buy

Upper Elementary

Lesson 4
Summer 2026
By: RLD Editorial Team
June 28, 2026

Lesson Focus:

Learn to be happy with what you have.

Bible Basis:

Exodus 20:15, 17; Luke 12:13-21, 33-34

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access
Whiteboard and markers (or screenshared document)

Step 4:

Internet access
Bibles
List from Step 1
Index cards or pieces of paper (8 per student)

Summary & Links:

Students will consider the value of material items and the value of intangible gifts to determine that they can be content with what they have.

Memory Verse:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.
—Hebrews 13:5

Students will consider the value of material items and the value of intangible gifts to determine that they can be content with what they have.

Materials Needed:

Internet access
Whiteboard and markers (or screenshared document)

Once your students have arrived, invite them to participate in a discussion.

Have you or a family member ever found something valuable—such as money or jewelry—that someone else lost? If so, what did you or your family member do with the item? (Accept all reasonable responses, sharing your experiences if applicable.)

Share the following video with your preteens [1:05]: Man returns fanny pack with $30K to rightful owner after being found in Wawa bathroom

What kinds of things do you think $30,000 could buy? (Answers will vary; a car; a down payment on a house; a new tablet and gaming system; designer sneakers, etc.) Write the answers on the whiteboard (or screenshared document) as the students share. Save this list for Step 4.
Do you think most people would have made the same decision as Luis did? Why or why not? (Answers will vary.)

Luis chose to do the right thing and return the money, even though he could have kept it and purchased many things with the money. Like he expressed in the video, the money did not belong to him. Although he didn’t do this in exchange for a reward, it was kind of the credit union to offer him something in appreciation for his honesty.

Luis showed not only honesty, but also contentment with what he had. He could have acted in greed and kept the money to spend on things he did not need. Is there ever a time when a person has enough? Explain your answer. (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Today we are going to explore the concept of being content with what we have, knowing that the things money cannot buy are what bring us true happiness.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Internet access
Bibles
List from Step 1
Index cards or pieces of paper (8 per student)

If your class is meeting online, invite your students to bring supplies with them to class.

Remember the man at the beginning our lesson who found and turned in $30,000 and was rewarded with some money for his honesty and kindness? For each item (share your screen or show the Step 1 list) that we thought $30,000 could buy, come up with something else of more value—something that money cannot buy (i.e.: honesty, giving, kindness, helping, love, work, family, friends, service, etc.). Each time a student shares something that money cannot buy, cross out one of the material items and write the intangible item near it. Be sensitive to students whose families are going through difficult situations.

To help us remember to be content with what we have and keep priorities straight, we are going to make reminders of valuable things money can’t buy.

Distribute supplies (or invite students to have them ready at home.) Use your Bible as a guide to write the memory verse on the first card or piece of paper (“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.”—Hebrews 13:5). On each card or slip of paper, write valuable things we just listed on the board (or screenshared document). Stack the cards together with the Bible verse on top. This week, choose a different slip each day. Then, throughout the day, focus on thanking God for what you have and for the gift of ________ (whatever is on the slip of paper).

What non-material blessing are you most thankful for today? (Answers will vary but may include family, friends, God, church, etc.)

Close in prayer asking God to help us all learn to be content with what we have.

Be sure to find time during the week to text students. Check in with them to see how they are doing and what they are thanking God for that day. You may even remind them that you are thanking God for them!

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Upper Elementary