Is it really that much easier to give to your child all
their wants just to keep the peace? Ask yourself this question again when your
child is 38 years old and you are still giving! Do you have peace; are they
learning to be independent of you and dependent on God? I can tell you the
answer will be a resound, “NO”!
Very few children, who are constantly handed things, develop
the mentality that everyone no
matter, friend, enemy, or family need to continue this pattern of giving to
them! And when things do not go their way, they do what they have always done
as a two year old – they throw a temper tantrum! Why not, it’s always worked as
child and guess what; it works as an adult ~ just with more destruction of self
and others!
I personally did not hand my children everything they
thought the wanted, nor did I allow a negative response from them when they did
not get it! I’ve experienced so many Mothers say, “I just gave in just so they
would shut up”! Giving in is not an option, nor is the behavior! Yes it takes
consistency, determination, and God to raise your child as a true Christian;
and yes, it does seem like you are failing miserably at times! But NEVER, EVER
give up hope on God and the work He does in us as well as our children!
Everything we do for Christ will last!
Our children appreciate us more and the things they thought
they wanted more, when there is something they are required to do to get it!
The major thing is sacrifices to experience in order to receive; we have to
give; and not grudgingly either! Giving a less fortunate child a new toy you
purchased from the money you earned cutting the neighbors grass, or helping
care for a younger sibling while Mom works to save on money, doing the
cleaning, cooking, and nurturing! All of this is growing you in many ways; in
character, as well as in the Holy Spirit!
Teaching your kids to give as they receive! As they work to get, they also are getting to give!
We do not have this type of lifestyles anymore; and I say
this from witnessing how the students in school come in day after day with
things that are not a need, but parents are comparing their lifestyle to others;
or the old cliché”; “Keeping up with the Jones’”! Americans have become wreck
less, selfish, egotistic, arrogant, ruthless, and blind to the deterioration it
is producing! “The thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy”! (John
10:10) and he is doing a very good job of it, only because we as a people are
ignorant to a better way; which is being a born again Christian! If you
continue on the path of destruction, it will end in destruction! Our spirit has
to depart somewhere when we leave this earth; that very few understand this and do not care; until that day comes and
you are not able to change it!
No man or woman wants a 38 year old in body, but two years
old in mind, character and spirit! Stop the giving, and begin the proper,
God-fearing, and rearing of you and your children! God is more concerned about our character than our comfort!
19 There was a certain rich
man who [habitually] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day.
20 And at
his gate there was
[carelessly] dropped down and left a certain utterly destitute man named Lazarus,
[reduced to begging alms and] covered with [ulcerated] sores.
21 He
[eagerly] desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man’s table;
moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores.
22 And it
occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels
to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 And in
Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw
Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he
cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip
of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.
25 But
Abraham said, Child, remember that you in your lifetime fully received [what is
due you in] comforts and delights, and Lazarus in like manner the
discomforts and distresses; but now he is comforted here
and you are in anguish.
26 And
besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order
that those who want to pass from this [place] to you may not be able, and no
one may pass from there to us.
27 And
[the man] said, Then, father, I beseech you to send him to my father’s house—
28 For I
have five brothers—so that he may give [solemn] testimony and warn them, lest they too come into this
place of torment.
29 But
Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear and listen to them.
30 But he
answered, No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they
will repent (change their minds for the better and heartily amend their ways,
with abhorrence of their past sins).
31 He said
to him, If they do not hear and listen
to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe [even] if someone should rise from
the dead. (Luke 16:19-31 AMP)
