I don’t know that our
culture is different from any other, but, undoubtedly, there is a major
break-down in family relationships. Our
nation has one of the highest divorce rates of any nation in the world. Unfortunately, we have many orphans with
parents. This is due to rampant parental
neglect. Rebellion on the part of
children seems to be more common.
Misbehavior, disrespect, and apathy about God, education, and career
goals seem to be more predominant than in previous generations. There are many contributing factors to this
social ill, but the answers cannot be found in government funding or
studies. However, God’s word addresses
the matter of parental responsibility.
First, God says that parents
are to PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. “But if
anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household,
he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8,
NASV). Of course, this includes those
things that are needful for sustaining their life and spirit, but it involves
more. Well-rounded training would
include their intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual development (cf.
Lk. 2:52). Proper reading and viewing
material should be made available. Adequate
nourishment and sleep as well as their emotional stability are a part of their
physical needs. A proper environment for
the development of a child’s self-reliance, respect, and courtesy should be
provided. Of supreme importance is that
of providing nourishment for their faith and knowledge of God’s word.
Second, parents should SET PROPER EXAMPLES FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO
FOLLOW. Aaron was a great man, but
he made a tragic error after the Israelites were rescued from Egyptian
bondage. While his brother, Moses, was
on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, Aaron assisted the people in
building a golden calf and worshipping it as a god (Ex. 32). In later years, his sons, Nadab and Abihu,
manifested that same lack of reverence for God when they used unauthorized fire
in their fire pans (Lev. 10). King David
committed grievous sin when he had an affair with Bathsheba and had her
husband, Uriah, killed on the battlefield to cover up his adultery (2 Sam. 11). His son, Absalom, followed in the murderous
and adulterous path his father had left behind (2 Sam. 13:30; 16:22). Parents, if you don’t want your children to
be guilty of profanity, vulgarity, or dishonesty, don’t engage in such
yourself. One of the greatest
compliments God paid Abraham reflected His confidence that Abraham would lead
his children properly (Gen. 18:19).
There is no greater heritage that parents can leave their children than
that of “walking in the truth” of
God’s word (2 Jn. 4).
Third, the PROPER EXERCISE OF DISCIPLINE is one of
the great responsibilities God has placed on the shoulders of parents. ‘Train
up a child in the way he should go…” (Prov. 22:6). There are two ways in which a child can go –
the way in which he would go, headlong to ruin; and the way in which he should
go, the pathway to heaven. The direction
a child goes in life is greatly dependent on the training he receives. The earlier the training he receives, the
easier the work, and the more encouraging the results. Present neglect leads to later risk and
perplexity. Our character largely takes
the form of that mold into which our early years were cast. Training is not accomplished by merely
telling. A good example, wise
instruction, and corrective discipline is a part of the training that should be
provided.
Fourth, parents should LOVE THEIR CHILDREN. Paul admonished older women to train younger
women “to love their children” (Titus
2:4). One would think that such love is
only natural when people bring another life into the world. It is, but it is often the case that parents
don’t manifest proper love to their children.
Children are often abused, neglected, or viewed as a nuisance. A good source for discovering the kind of
love parents should manifest toward their children is 1 Corinthians, chapter
13.
The physical capability
of bearing offspring does not make one a good parent. There is much more to being a successful parent
than just bringing another person into the world. Perhaps the above suggestions will assist in
making us better parents.
