In our materially obsessed society, too many parents fail in their responsibility to provide spiritually for their children. Instead, the focus of their parenting is to provide materially for their children. The result is materially-minded parents raising a generation of children devoid of any spirituality.

Have you succeeded by providing a magnificent house for your children, but failed to provide a spiritual home? Paul instructs fathers, “bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Have you excelled in giving your children the latest and greatest gadgets, but failed to instruct them to prioritize spiritual things first. Jesus teaches us to, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

Have you done well in making sure your children go to the best schools and earn the highest marks, but failed to train them up in the way they should go spiritually? The wise man tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).

Have you been great at letting your children follow the latest music acts or Hollywood stars, but failed to warn them of the dangers of this world’s morality? Paul admonishes, “Finally, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

Have you shined in teaching your children to make lots of money, but failed to warn them of the danger of trusting in uncertain riches? Paul instructed, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).

Have you showed great diligence in preparing exceptional inheritances for your children and taught them to amass amazing retirements, but failed to guide them in preparing for eternity? Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).

Money can buy a lot of things in this world, but money cannot buy godly and faithful children! How are you stewarding the most precious blessings God has given you in this life (Psa. 127:3-5)?

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