"Christ In The Home: God’s Plan For His Family” Series
#15 ”What Will We Leave Our Children?”
This concluding lesson is aimed primarily at the adults of this congregation. A deep sadness steals over us as we think of departing permanently from our children. Most of us will precede our children in death, and it will not be long at the most. What do you plan to leave your children?
This is ultimately the most important question we could ask and answer, for eternity is at stake, not only for ourselves but for our children and their children, and their children, and their children, etc.
Solomon said, in Proverbs 22:1: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." He added in Ecclesiastes 7:1: "A good name is better than fine perfume..."
A bad name will be a very heavy burden to bear. A good name will open doors of opportunity and give encouragement to good deeds.
It is a frightening thought that God will visit the sins "of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the
third and fourth generation" (Exodus 34:7). This simply means to us today that we will suffer the consequences of sins for some time.
Every person is basically the result of three personal influences, the first of these, and by far the most significant, being the influence of parents. Parents need to exert influence upon their children as soon as possible, and as long as possible, but it is still true that the first few years are most significant.
THE MEMORY OF A CHRISTIAN HOME
Even when a child is old enough to go to school, he still spends about two-thirds of his waking hours in the area and environment of the home. By spending a lot of time with one's child, rapport is established. No teaching can take place effectively until a certain amount of rapport has been gained. When this closeness is established, then it is time to begin specific lessons of importance and value to the child.
When the prodigal son sat brokenhearted in the pigpen, he had been stripped of nearly everything. His money was gone, and with it his fair-weathered friends. His personal respect was gone. The only thing this lost and lonely soul had was a memory -- the precious memory of a good home.
He said: "In my father's house there is plenty and to spare." It was this memory that opened the door for the boy to go home!
There is no greater heritage that we can leave our children than the happy memory of such. In the long, long years after our bodies have returned to the dust from which they came, we can still speak to our children through the memory of a Christian home. It's vital that we do this "memory building" right now.
It is important to tell our children what is right and wrong. But it is far more important to set them a worthy example. The shortest, yet the most far-reaching biography ever written is found in the words of Jesus: "He went about doing good."
Peer pressure is tremendous in our society. In fact, it's true that "peers suggest our environment." The influence of the peer begins early but takes its toll usually at the adolescent period. It's sad, but true, that the teaching of parents and other well-meaning people at this time will likely fall on deaf ears unless the peers "agree."
1 Corinthians 15:33: "Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
The perfect education is described in Luke 2:52: "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
Someone has said that "the soul of education is the education of the soul." A child's relationship with God is vital for his eternity! He should learn responsibility in this life and act upon this responsibility with discipline and hard work as he/she "carries his weight" in this life.
But the best job and plenty of money, power, success, and popularity will not ensure anything but a great physical life here! Eternity depends upon much more!
A GENUINE FAITH IN GOD
In an age of skepticism, doubt and cynicism, it is wonderful to be able to leave our children with a faith in God through Jesus Christ. As Paul said in Romans 10:17: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."
By taking our children to worship, by setting the proper example, and inspiring them to "do likewise, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God," we are leaving a heritage that cannot be measured in dollars and cents.