( وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ) (And know that your properties and your children are but a trial): In Surah Al-Kahf, Allah (swt) says:
الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا
(Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one’s] hope.) (Al-Kahf: 46)
When someone has an abundance of wealth, it becomes an adornment, which is a kind of trial. The trial itself is not the issue; rather, it is the consequences of that trial. Allah (swt) states wealth before children in this verse for two reasons: First, everyone possesses some form of wealth, even the clothing one wears can be considered wealth. However, not everyone has children. Second, wealth forms the foundation for marriage, and then childbearing, subsequently for the construction of families and societies. Unfortunately, some people resort to theft, bribery, and plunder, justifying their actions by claiming to secure a future for their children.
( وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ ) (and that Allah has with Him a great reward): With regard to wealth and children, Allah (swt) promises a reward far greater than anything humans anticipate. For Allah (swt) possesses is better and more enduring.