Parenting Is Stewardship

In last Sunday’s service of child dedication, we noted from Scripture four key facts about what it means to be human—four basic truths that apply to everyone at all times and in all places:

1) All people have been made by God.  Lord, “you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13).  The creation of a human child in utero cannot be described merely in terms of biological processes:  There is a Maker, the Divine Artist, who creatively forms each human being.

2) All people have been fashioned in God’s image.  “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).  We’ve been uniquely designed so that, in contrast to everything else God made, we’re “wired” for a relationship of personal trust in the Lord.

3) All people belong to God.  “The earth is the Lord’s and every­thing in it; the world and all who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).  No matter how fiercely independent some people may think they are, our Maker claims us as his own; we belong to the One who made us.

4) Plus, those who put their faith in Jesus Christ belong to God all over again as his redeemed, adopted children.  “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  Let that sink in:  “You are not your own.”

These biblical truths have enormous implications for all of us—and in regard to every aspect of our lives:  family life, careers, hobbies, friendships, use of time, spending habits, how we talk, etc.

What’s more, these biblical truths have urgent implica­tions for how we think about and practice parenting.  Calling all moms & dads: Make sure you recognize your children as God’s children who are on loan to you for a season.  They’re not little lords of their own lives, and you’re not lords of their lives either.  Parenting is stewardship; you’re entrusted by God to serve and love and lead and disciple HIS kids.

So dig into Scripture and bow for prayer to discern:  What would please our Heavenly Father when it comes to how we parent?