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The law from your mouth is more precious to me
       than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. —Psalm 119:72

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. —Colossians 3:16

This is the season for giving gifts. Parents everywhere are thinking about what their children want for Christmas and, perhaps, what they would like to give their children for Christmas—two things which are not always the same.  More often than not, values differ; that difference leaves you with the question, what should we get the kids for Christmas?

Consider your own values. Knowing Christ through his Word is a great thing.  The Word of Christ dwelling richly provides stability and direction.  The psalmist says it powerfully—the Word of Christ is more precious than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. The Word of Christ enlightens the eyes, brings joy to the heart, provides light to navigate the pathways of life, and is living and active within us. What else can offer such wonder?

Your goal as a parent should be to shepherd the hearts of your children so that they will feed on the rich, nourishing Word of Christ.  That is what will protect them from the beckoning call of the world. Feeding on the Word is more than attempting to control their behavior so that you and they are not embarrassed by that behavior. It is more than doing well in school or learning to make their way in the world. The richness of Christ’s Word provides the knowledge and protection that they need.

So, then, how can you give the gift of God's Word to your children? Is the obvious answer to purchase all of the commentaries, Bible study helps, study Bibles and other study aids you can afford and give these to your children instead of the presents they asked for and that you were going to buy?  Well, some of these might be good, but it's probably not wise to overdo it. No, what I am suggesting is that the best way to present the gift of the Word of Christ to your children is to have that Word dwell richly within you.  A full, energetic relationship with Christ through his Word dwelling in your life is a magnificent gift to your children. Only this will make you a biblical shepherd who is practical, caring and responsive to your children.  Shepherding your child’s heart is an awesome and fearful task, but it is the task God has given you. Attempting this task without Christ’s Word richly living within you will only lead to frustration, both for you and for your children.

Perhaps the most valuable gift you can give to your children is to do a personal evaluation of just how precious the Word of Christ is to you.  Are you thrilled to open your Bible?  Seriously, how much time is given in your life to knowing God’s Word so that you will be able to be a faithful shepherd to your family?  This means that your children will consider themselves to be adorned by your words.  Simply confronting behavior doesn’t require much time in the Scriptures. But if your intention is to address the heart biblically, only the Word of Christ will do. When there is a problem with your children, what are you looking for? A solution to calm things down? — or are you looking to see how you can apply the Word of Christ to bind the relational wounds that your children both inflict and receive?

How great is knowing the Word of Christ to you?  How much do you rely on this Word as you shepherd you children? Remember, you are always a shepherd to your children. Some days you may not be an especially good one, but you are always a shepherd nonetheless. Your children always need your shepherding care.  The most important component of that care is to have the word of your own shepherd, the Great Shepherd, dwelling richly within. 

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. Philippians 3:7&8

The law from your mouth is more precious to me
       than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:72

Knowing Christ is a great thing. That is easy to say but challenging to live. Just how great is it? Taken at face value, Paul’s words in Philippians are stunning. So is the verse from Psalm 119. Nothing compares to knowing Christ and loving his words. These are two themes from the Gospels that are often missed, and they are crucial to your parenting. Let’s look at each of them.

Paul’s comments in Philippians are self-disclosure. He reveals what drives him as a person. The literary “feel” of chapters 2 and 3 is intense. Paul says that nothing even compares to knowing Christ. This is the same intensity we hear in the parable Christ tells in Matthew 13:44 about the kingdom of heaven and the treasure in a field.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field (Matthew 13:44).

 When the man found the treasure he immediately and joyfully sold all he had so that he could purchase the field with its treasure. The things which at one moment were all of his earthly possessions were dispatched in a heartbeat.  His values changed instantly. While we don’t necessarily have to sell all that we have to know Christ, we should be willing to. Paul was willing. In Philippians, he says he had given up everything to know Christ. His life overflowed with the joy of that choice. He didn’t give up his respected position of religious leadership and then look back and moan over his loss of prestige. Like the man who bought the field, Paul considered knowing Christ the greatest of all treasures.

What do your children think is your greatest treasure? Would they say it is knowing Christ, based on the way that you talk and the things that you buy for them and for yourself? Are you so conscious of the grace given to you by Christ that those closest to you see you overwhelmed with the mercy of Christ? Paul writes as someone who is aware of Christ each minute of each day. Paul didn’t live in a monastery. He lived life just as you do, in the middle of a secular, needs-driven world that cares little for the Living God. But through all of this, Paul was most conscious, most self-aware, of Jesus Christ. He knew that Christ was Lord of Heaven and Earth. He knew that his life was lived continuously in the presence of King Jesus, and he delighted in this reality. This is the same reality that God calls you to show to your children.

Knowing Christ this Christmas season is the greatest  gift that you can give to your children.  It is a better gift than things that you can wrap. You can still give those presents, of course, but  the most wonderful gift you can give is the witness of your love for Christ. Invest some time in this gift--it doesn't just happen randomly. Spend time in the Word, and spend time in meditation on the love of Christ. Pray for the eyes of your heart to be opened to the joy of your salvation.

These are times of political uncertainty and economic fears. But these are also times to be blown away by the awesome joy of knowing the One who rules over all of these things. Jesus Christ is our life.

In the next post we will look at how the words of Christ should be our most valued possession.

The law from your mouth is more precious to me
       than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:72 NIV
The law of your mouth is better to me
   than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:72 ESV

This verse in Psalm 119 presents a challenging question to you as a Christian parent.  Is this truth something that influences you more than your bank balances?  The psalmist proclaims the word of God is of such value that gold and silver pale in comparison.  Take some time to consider this reality. Is this your testimony? Would your children say this verse speaks accurately of you and what you value?

Give this some thought. Let me know what you think. We will return to this thought in the next post. 

Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
 Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?"   Then he said to them,

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:13-15, 32-34

In the last post we noted how Paul taught in I Timothy 6 that wealth is uncertain. As a matter of fact, wealth is so uncertain and unstable that it cannot provide hope. Contemplate this biblical reality – wealth is incapable of providing hope because it is uncertain. Wow! This is a thought that is contrary to our world. Why is there such intense concern about the upheavals in the financial markets? Simply put, because people have placed their hopes in the wealth that these markets measure. When the markets fall significantly, worry also increases significantly. People are worried about their wealth because their hope for a secure tomorrow is tied to wealth, however little or great that wealth may be.

Financial markets are adult things. But worry about possessions in not the exclusive territory of adults. Children are concerned about possessions early in the game. Give one young child a matchbox car and give his brother two of them. I can safely predict that the boy with one car will not respond with joy that his brother has more matchbox cars than he does. So, how do you avoid the upset—give them each the same number of cars? While this may avoid a temporary clash, it fails to address a deeper issue. Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Yet, these two boys are very aware of the abundance of their possessions. I can hear someone saying, yeah, but you are talking about Matchbox cars, not 401K’s.  Yes, I am.  However, just try making that distinction with a 4–year-old!

You see, you may be careful to buy your children’s toys at yard sales where the latest and greatest toy can be had for a dollar instead $29.99. But to your child, it is still another possession. Toys are cool, but they are not the source of comfort and certainty. What is certain in life must flow from relationships, not possessions or situations. When Jesus says to sell your possessions he is not advocating self-imposed poverty. He is drawing a sharp contrast between the man who demanded his share of the inheritance and one who knows where true certainty lies. The one whose hope lies in financial instruments has the same quality of security as the one whose hope lies in the number of matchbox cars he owns. Wealth of any sort is uncertain. That is what you must teach your children. Certainty flows from your relationship with someone who has the ability to keep a commitment. Only God delivers this kind of certainty. You can count on God to be faithful in his relationship with you. This is the certainty that you must show to your children. God alone possesses and gives true wealth. This world can only offer purses that will wear out. But God offers true riches.

It is a good thing to plan for the future and to make investments as wisely as possible. Just remember that these investments are about as certain as next week’s weather forecast. The upheaval in the markets vividly illustrates Paul’s point to Timothy – do not place your hope in wealth and possessions. Help your children to value instead their relationships with you, their family, and God. Use this to teach about God and true riches. Relationships that your children form now, with God and others, have the capacity to last into eternity. This is life that is truly life!

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. I Timothy 6:17

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

Some of you may remember the post from last May about “God and gas prices.” Now, six months later, the price for a barrel of oil has dropped to below $70 for the first time in fourteen months. The price for gasoline is once again below $3 per gallon in many areas of the country. Last spring folks were worried about how to pay for gas; now that oil has dropped over 50% in value from its high this summer, that worry seems a distant memory. But in the meantime, something else also dropped in value: the world’s financial markets.

So now there are bigger worries—or are there? Watching the markets go up and down is a little bit like watching your kids on a see-saw. Our western culture has trusted the conventional wisdom of this world. We have been told security rests in financial well being, in the American Dream. But God has much to say about the wealth of this world, and it is a different wisdom than the world’s wisdom. It is important that you, as parents, view wealth and the acquisition of wealth from a biblical perspective.
God has particular advice for those who are rich in this world. Currently, there is much debate about who is rich. Are you rich if you earn more than $250,000 a year? Are you rich if your net worth is more than 5 million dollars? Are you rich if you have a roof that does not leak and food to eat for the next meal? Are you rich if you have hot, running water? Are you rich if you have more roots to eat than your neighbor? ”Rich” depends a little upon whom you are talking to. But regardless, Paul says to Timothy to tell those who are rich, whatever that may mean, not to put their hope in wealth. This means that whether you are Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Joe the Plumber, or a tribal herdsman—you are not to hope in wealth. Wealth is uncertain. Really? Yes, really. The focus of this world is to urge people to trust in things which are uncertain.

Christian, has God’s faithfulness to you and your family changed in any way in the last several months? God’s care for you is certain. The riches of this world are not. While trillions of dollars may have disappeared in the markets, God care is constant. This financial downturn may result in lost homes, lost jobs and lost savings. This brings difficult challenges. But these sorts of downturns are to be expected from wealth. This is what Paul is saying to Timothy. Jesus taught the same thing in the Luke passage listed above. Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Of course you should work and plan for the future and attempt to make wise investments. But through all of this, you must remember that wealth is not something to build your hope upon, for it is uncertain.

What is certain is the care of God. Circumstances will change. God will not. Think about these things with your children. Help them to focus on what is certain in life, so that they will not trust in wealth, which is not certain at all. More on this in the next post. Let me know your thoughts.

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

— Matthew 6:28-34

Last week we examined the exhortation in Proverbs that we should not wear ourselves out to become rich. Rather, as leaders of our homes, we should invest ourselves in the things that producing lasting treasure. In response, some might say, “I am not trying to get rich; I just want to put food on the table for my family, put clothes on our backs and a roof over our heads.”

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
  have the wisdom to show restraint.
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
  for they will surely sprout wings
  and fly off to the sky like an eagle. —Proverbs 23:4-5 

T. Rowe Price … Chuck Schwab … Ameritrade … Scottrade … Fidelity

These investment firms are frequent visitors in your home. No, they aren’t invited guests. They attach themselves to the televised sporting events that are the favorites of American men. So, just after your team scores, Chuck Schwab shows up, encouraging you to make wise investments using his brokerage firm. Just as Chuck is saying goodbye, the owner of Scottrade flies by in his helicopter to let you know how his firm makes investing affordable. These commercials are then followed by a commercial for Lexus. The message is clear: security and peace of mind come from making wise investments and making your money grow. Things provide accomplishment and stability. While it is good to save and plan for the future, your security lies elsewhere.

Don Fields left this comment on the second of three posts about the Super Bowl.

Excellent thoughts!

We cannot view any medium as "neutral." There is always a motivation and a message and we need to be evaluating and teaching our children to be evaluating.

One thing you haven't covered is that we should discuss the emptiness of a championship. As I watched the coverage after the game I heard much talk about Tom Coughlin, the Giants head coach, telling his players that second to family there is no feeling like winning a championship. This is a message that needs to be dealt with biblically.

Thanks, Don for raising an important consideration. As our culture’s spectacles become more elaborate, the emptiness that Don speaks of increases. I believe this indicates that the harder man searches for meaning and purpose apart from God the more futile and frustrating his search becomes.