Around
the breakfast table we old preachers were sharing the circumstances and impact
of our call into the ministry. Mentioned by more than one of us was the concern
of our fathers that we would not have the material rewards and riches they
wished for us. Mine was one of them. Raising five children in the midst of the
great depression, he fretted over having enough food on the table or enough
resources for other needs. Indeed he was in debt his entire adult life and was
still in debt at his death. His desire for his children was for them to have
more than he had. Indeed, the only question he raised when I revealed my call into the ministry concerned material needs.
Of
course, going in, we budding preachers knew our theme could be that of a 1940’s movie and 1950’s
TV comedy “You’ll Never Get Rich.” But we had confidence our Lord through His
churches, would take care of us.
As
a father, I am grateful that our children are doing well vocationally and
materially. Indeed, they are earning more than their preacher daddy ever earned
(even adjusted for inflation). But a father’s concern for his children should
involve much more than material prosperity. First priority is for them to have
a relationship with Jesus Christ. Such a relationship will help them to “set
(their) affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
The words penned by George Beverly Shea (who died recently at age 104) capture
that relationship. “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather be
His than have riches untold.”
Happy
is the father whose children belong to Jesus.
Grace
and peace.
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