As a nation, we are much
interested in preservation. Laws prevent the razing of buildings with
historical significance. Laws preserve habitats of endangered animals
and preserve parks, forests and the environment. But have we neglected
our most precious and valuable resource --our children?
God said that our
children are a “heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3 KJV), and he
has given comprehensive instructions for their preservation. “Now this
is the commandment which the Lord your God has commanded..., that you
might do them in the land where you are going..., so that you and your
son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His
statutes and His commandments... all the days of your life, and that
your days may be prolonged.
0 Israel, you should
listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that
you may multiply greatly, just as the Lord...has promised you... Hear, 0
Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart.. .soul and...might. And these words,
which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall
teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit
in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and
when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:1-8) Paul instructs fathers to
raise their children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”
(Ephesians 6:4). We could fill this page with similar statements.
Do you remember the
parable of the talents, where three servants were given charge of
certain amounts of money to use until their master returned (Matthew
25)? One servant who was not faithful in his stewardship was
condemned. Oh, he didn’t waste the money. He simply did not use it
wisely. We are further told in I Corinthians 4:2 “it is required
of stewards that one he found trustworthy.”
Parents, how trustworthy
or faithful have you been in the discharge of the treasure God has
given you? I am well aware that the best of parents can have children
that turn out sorry, but I am also well aware that in our present
culture, we too often neglect the most important aspect of our
stewardship - the spiritual and moral education of our children. We get
mighty upset when we hear news of parents who neglect and abuse their
children. I cannot understand the mentality that allows parents to
keep a seven-year-old girl locked in an animal cage every day, or that
feeds a child only one cold bowl of oatmeal a day. But are we any less
guilty when we do not feed their souls or when we do not teach them the
meaning of sacrifice, that they might become like the One who gave His
life for them?
So many young people
that I know have many material possessions, cars, TVs, CD players,
designer label clothes, large allowances -- all the accoutrements of an
affluent society. But I also see many of these young people so caught up
in sports and material possessions that the Lord and his kingdom come
in a distant second place in their lives. “But they are just children,”
the parents say, “let them have their fun now. They’ll have time for the
more serious stuff later.” Unless they die at 15, like Sunny did, or at
16, like Frank.
Somehow I must have
missed the part where Moses instructed Israel to “begin instructing your
children at age 21.” All I remember is that they were to teach their
children “diligently” to love God with all their “heart, soul and
might.” If we do not teach our children to “seek first the kingdom of
God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) when they are young,
when are they going to learn it? The habits and attitudes learned in
youth are the ones that stay with us for life. We cannot satisfy the
needs of the soul with material things, no matter how well meaning Mom
and Dad may be when they want their children to have the things they
never had. And is social acceptance so valuable that we will allow our
children to compromise moral principles and go to the dances, etc., in
order to be popular? “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the
whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange
for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
I have a great affection
for young people. I have enjoyed working with them in various
environments, and have met some great ones. And I have met others who
could have such a great influence for good, if they had parents who
would encourage their spiritual development.
Other
Articles by Jefferson David Tant
Is
Baptism Essential For Salvation?
A Decision of Faith
Does It Really Matter to
God?
