Living in this world but not of it.

by Brandon George
Published October 25, 2004

Something that has come up in recent thoughts and dicussion with people is about our children. And not just the broad subject of children, but rather giving children what they need.

Now you can branch off here and take the stance that children really only need love, shelter, and food. But what is the need that I am talking about based upon. Well as parents, even Christian parents, want their children to suceed in society. Even though contentment would be the best thing, with themselves and the life given to them through YHWH God. But in order to succeed in this world, children need more things, and the things I refer to really are material based.
Now I for one, don't believe you give and give and never teach them the value of things. But I do also believe that if I have the ability to buy my kids the best clothes possible then I will do so. Why some may ask. The reason is, and this is a proven fact, children that have the best are usually afforded more oppurtunities than children that do not have such things. It's sad but a true statment.
Now this may be cause for a big old stop sign for most. And if you don't read the rest of this, then you want understand the point I am trying to make. :-)

You see I believe you can give your kids the best 'stuff' so to give them those society based 'merits', and at the same time inject our Christian beliefs and values into those things and actions.

Now if my kids want to take a stand and not be like that I will be all for it, but at the same time if my kid wants to dress in all black I will let them. Either way they will hear what I think about it, but I will not stiffle their personal development and discovery of themselves. Why some one may ask again. Because by doing so, by forcing your own conformaties on a child then you are actually getting the opposite result. It's a universal rule, that if you try to hard for something, you obtain the opposite. Its a balancing system.

Anyway this ties in to giving them the best possible, by doing so you afford them certain chances that they may not get if they do not have those certain things. I believe too this is a missed point, that parents don't see. You can use those things to teach lessons and to instill beliefs and values. By doing this, you can actually raise children that are living in the world, but not of it. Because these things are obtained in there child hood, and because you have been teaching them the right things, by all measures they will not put so much esteem and value into material items. Therefore, they are afforded more time and chances to focus on the real things in life like wlaking with YHWH God and spirtaul growth!

Some of you may say I am crazy, but if you really just sit down and think about this. You will see that such an avenue is open, and can be used to produce the desired results of raising wonderful blessed, giving, Godly children.

Note: My wife and I are still raising our kids, and have been trying our best to execute this plan. At the same time trying our best to raise our kids in prayer, and by the Bible. I guess time will tell if this works, but this did not come from me. I got this form of child rearing from my parents, whom I believe if I can be half the parents they are then I will have done a good job! ~thanks mom and dad!~

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