Future Generations

Chuckle: When the Duke of Windsor was asked what impressed him most in America, he replied, "the way American parents obey their children."

Good Quote: "When Christians are safe and comfortable, the church is in its greatest danger" --William Arthur Ward

"Future generations will also serve him. Our children will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those yet unborn. They will hear about everything he has done" (Psalm 22:30-31 NLT).

Whether we're speaking of physical life or spiritual life, healthy societies are highly concerned about the well-being of their future generations. They willingly sacrifice today to make for a better tomorrow for their children and grandchildren. I wonder if our society has lost its way in this area.

We tend to be a self-centered people who want everything to fulfill our own selfish desires, and we want it right now. We see parents who couldn't care less about preparing their children for their future as long as their own selfish appetites are being satisfied today. Socrates said to the people of Athens: "Why do you turn and scrape every stone to gather wealth and take so little care of your children to whom one day you will relinquish all?"

I have often heard statements like: "The church is only one generation away from extinction." Such a statement reflects concern that today's Christians are being negligent in reaching and teaching the next generation of believers. If you and I don't teach our children and grandchildren the things of God, who will? If not now, when? In our passage, the Psalmist was confident that God's people would be faithful from generation to generation to proclaim the wonders of God and His righteousness. I wonder, is his confidence justified in our time?

The spiritual well-being of yet unborn generations depends upon our faithfulness today. It is God's desire that each generation teach the next; but if we fail to teach our children about the Lord, we risk breaking the chain of God's influence in the generations to come. When we look into the faces of children and teenagers, we see the future leaders in Christianity and our society. Are you and I being faithful in teaching our children and grandchildren the things of God? Are you actively trying to lead them to a saving faith in Jesus Christ?

If we expect our children and grandchildren to grow up serving the Lord, they need to hear about Him from us by our words and the way we live. We should not rely solely on pastors, Sunday School teachers, or others with more knowledge than we to provide their Christian education. They need to hear it from us in the home. "Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it" (Proverbs 22:6 NLT). How are you and I doing?

Love, Jerry & Dotse