Some Goals Are Proper but Are Not the Main Goal

Parents may have various goals in raising children.

* We should meet our children's physical needs.
* We should provide a good education.
* We should prepare them for life, so they can have a happy marriage and be good citizens and neighbors.
* We may even provide some recreation, entertainment, and enjoyment

Some parents may emphasize goals that are of little importance and could even become problems: physical beauty, athletic achievement, popularity, etc. But these are not our primary goal as parents.

Many parents spend long hours working to provide physical things for their children, but they are so busy working that they neglect to give their children time and attention. Other parents spend many hours with their children in physical or material pursuits: sports, clubs, school functions, music, etc. They are constantly on the run, but the emphasis is material, physical, and social.

Many parents are too concerned about physical pursuits, on the other hand, many "poor" families are highly successful. I have known families with one old car, no TV, 2-room house, plain clothes, and just a basic education. But the children knew God's will, had close family ties, and grew up serving God faithfully.

Many children today are spoiled by over-providing. They don't appreciate what they are given and grow up thinking the world owes them a living. Too many parents over-emphasize material pursuits: possessions, toys, education, popularity, beauty, sports, etc. Unknowingly, such parents are sacrificing their children to the idols of covetousness and worldliness.

Jesus said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." He then told of a man who obtained great wealth but neglected God (vv 16-21). When the man died, what good did his wealth do him?-
Luke 12:15