Jesus once told a story about a rich man, whose land produced so plentifully that his barns were too small to contain all his crops (Luke 12:13-21). The man proceeded to tear down his barns and build bigger ones, with big plans to immediately retire and no thought of sharing his wealth with God or others. “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (12:20-21).
Jesus did not say whether the rich man had children or if he gave them gifts at holidays. It’s not hard to imagine him giving his kids practically everything their hearts desired. I suspect his children had the hottest toys and rooms that were decked out lavishly. They were the envy of the other children at school. The rich fool probably spared no expense in giving his children gifts. But if the rich fool gave his children much, he did not give them everything. In fact the most important things—the only things that ultimately mattered—were lacking. The rich fool may have given his children a multitude of a gifts, but in living away from God he deprived them tragically and, in the end, failed as a parent.
The most important gifts parents can give their children are those treasures that come with being a faithful Christian. We may lovingly give our children a number of good things this year, but we ought to be ashamed of our negligence if we have not yet given them the most important things. Are you giving your children the following treasures?
- The gift of daily devotional time? (See Psalms 119:105; Jeremiah 10:23; Matthew 4:4; Acts 17:11.)
- The gift of knowing that Mom and Dad have strong, Christian love and support for one another? (See Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:7.)
- The gift of godly discipline? (See Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15; Ephesians 6:4.)
- The gift of monitoring the media, and turning off the television or smartphone when it threatens our Christian values? (See Job 31:1; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Philippians 4:8.)
- The gift of faithful attendance to Bible classes and worship? (See Proverbs 3; Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 6:33.)
- The gift of assurance that heaven is the final destination for Mom, Dad, Brother and Sister? (See Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.)
Young children may not know how to ask for these gifts, but every child really craves and deserves them. Do you need to begin giving them to your children today?