Beech Tree News Network

Paul told Timothy, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (I Tim. 5:8). Last week, we began a study about the need in our society for parents who will provide spiritually for their children. Let us continue in this study.

    Some parents are not providing for their children spiritually because they will not bring them to worship God. Some have said, “My child is too young to sit through a sermon, so we won’t be coming to church until he/she is older.” Friend, the later we start a child’s spiritual training, the harder it is to teach him! (Remember: Prov. 22:6) If a young child is not taught that “in this family we assemble with the church and worship God” (Jn. 4:24; Heb. 10:25) and is not taught to sit still at an early age, what makes us think that an older child will suddenly know how to do it? Yes, small children cry and fuss. A small child that cries is natural. Yet, delaying a child’s learning of God and learning how to behave during worship times is a detriment. Procrastination lays the groundwork for children (and parents) never assembling with the saints to worship God at all!

    Sometimes parents spoil their children by saying, “I didn’t have ____ when I was growing up, and my child will not grow up without ____. He will not have it as bad as I did.” Why are we as parents so intent on giving our children things we “didn’t have”? Perhaps it is what we “didn’t have” that has made us what we are today! Why not start today and give your children what you “had”! The drive for children to have things better/easier than we did is not uncommon, but is that always conducive to their spiritual well-being? Many times, it is not.

    As we conclude this study about providing for our children, let us ask ourselves some pointed questions.

•    When children are brought up thinking that all they desire will be handed to them, how can they appreciate the necessity of work (Lam. 3:27; Eph. 4:28)?

•    When children are not taught to obey mother and father, nor taught to respect the authority of their father, how can we expect them to respect the authority of God and obey our Father in Heaven (Eph. 6:1-3; Heb. 12:9)?

•    When children are not corrected, how can they learn that there are consequences to their actions when they deliberately disobey the rules that have been laid down by God (Prov. 19:18, 13:24, 22:15, 29:15, 17; Heb. 12:5-11)?

•    When children are brought up without responsibilities, are not held accountable around the house, how can they be taught to take responsibility for their soul, realizing they will one day be held accountable before God (Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 14:11-12; II Cor. 5:10; Jn. 5:28-29)?

When children do not see their parents reading the Bible, praying, speaking kindly to one another, and showing an interest in spiritual matters in other ways, why should they feel compelled to take an interest in spiritual matters themselves (Matt. 5:14-16)?

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program on 1570 AM at 8:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167