Sacrificing Our Children

by: Rebecca Blevins

A few weeks ago, I asked each of our four children what they thought a sign or a quality of a godly family might be. The responses varied, but all were correct. One said, "a positive atmosphere, peaceful and cooperative." Another responded quickly saying, "obedient children." The third said, "putting God first and loving each other" and the youngest said, "Doing what Mommy and Daddy say."

Two votes for obedient children were music to my ears. I also found it interesting that none of them said anything about money, toys, or any other earthly or material things. If these answers are correct, and I believe they are, then why are so many of today's families run ragged with all of the endeavors and activities they've committed to? Everyone speaks of not enough hours in a day and can't wait for the weekend to rest, then they usually do more running-back-and-forth from sporting event to gymnastics classes, etc.

Oh, we are definitely sacrificing our children. But for what? The praise of men or academic awards? Most of us have read the text in the Bible in Genesis 22, which describes the unbelievable story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. That has to be some kind of an “Old Testament” mind set. Surely, God does not expect that exact behavior from us. Or does He?

All too often, we have been told that Bible stories are just that, stories. God doesn't mean us to take them literally, right? Let us investigate God's intent. If we believe the Bible is for us today, then we are bound to live by it. That means obedience—not legalistic obedience, but obedience from the heart. God's love does have conditions. They are called instructions, guidelines, and yes, laws. The sacrifice of His Son, once it is accepted, provides unconditional salvation, but His true love requires a certain type of response - a response of devotion of our hearts to Him.

So, what does a devoted heart have to do with sacrificing our children? Well, we learn devotion through answered prayer. Many times, I have solved my children's problems myself, by calling their teacher if I disagreed with a decision she made, or I talked with a neighbor child who was picking on my child. I have responded in many different ways to many different trials. Rarely have I responded to my children's problems by taking my child to God on their knees in prayer and teaching him or her to give God the problem. I did not have the faith in the Father, myself. I was afraid His answer would be NO, or something else I did not want to hear.

Through this response, I taught my children to run to me with their problems instead of to God. I may not have hurt their relationship or fellowship with God, but I certainly did not strengthen it. Matthew 6:33 provides the mission statement for all Christians, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (NIV).

Why don't we take this verse literally? Because we are afraid. We have seen people who have given up everything for God and it seems excessively hard. We want to keep control of our children and ourselves. We want to solve all the problems, so that we can work everything out the way we want them. However, what are we really teaching our children? Are we teaching them to seek God and his kingdom first? On the other hand, are we teaching them to seek their own goals and desires first and add God in later for a quick blessing?

The connection of a devoted heart and sacrifice is also the true definition of "seek ye first." It is applauding, celebrating, honoring, praising, and exalting the Father and His Son Jesus Christ for everything you have and everything you do. Then, everything will be abundantly added to you and your children. ***

Taken from the Christian Beacon