My dear readers,

 

(Excerpts from Building Firm Foundations, Dr SH Tow)

 

1. Are your children saved?

Whose business is it to see that your children are saved: the pastor's or the parents'? The answer is both are responsible but the role of parents comes first! At home, parents, you are in the place of pastors to your children. How soon should parents begin to impart the knowledge of God and salvation to their children? What do you think?

 

My answer to that is: begin as soon as you begin to communicate with them about other things. Which mother or father has come to consult a doctor, asking,"How old should my child be for us to talk to him? "Is it not a fact that we speak to our newborn babies, as though they understood? Of course they did not at first, but gradually they began to take it in, bit by bit. Did any parent say, "Oh, don't speak too much too soon. The child will be confused!"

 

Now do you see the point? Just as you coax the child to take her food, to go to sleep, to smile – so you speak to her about praying to Jesus, loving Jesus, etc. Which mother ever ran to the pastor to say,"Please come and sing a lullaby to my child?"

 

Every mother does it naturally, happily and readily. Then, the next time you do, sing hymns and gospel choruses.

 

Pray for your child. Sing songs of salvation. The earliest songs that I can remember are the hymns my mother used to sing me to sleep. Even to this day I can recall this one:

 

God Is Always Near Me

PP Bliss

God is always nea rme,

Hearing what Isay;

Knowing all my thoughts and deeds,

All my work and play.

God is always near me

In the darkest night;

He can see me just the same

Asby midday light.

God is always near me

Though so young and small;

Not a look or word or thought,

But God knows it all!

 

Mothers and fathers can play a crucial role in their children's salvation. Start today. Tell them of Jesus' love. Tell them Bible stories. Tell them simply every day, and with fervent prayer. What a blessed ministry you can have, just where you are, in your home.

One day your children will call you blessed!

 

2. Cheating your child

What father or mother will ever dream of cheating their own child? And yet many well-meaning parents are doing just that. Some parent who is reading these words must wonder what I am driving at. That parent sought to give their children the best in life none will dispute. What is in question is, what is the best?

 

Many well-intentioned parents believe (and sincerely too) that the best way to love children is to give them whatever they demand and to give in to their every whim and fancy. Nothing is further from the truth. This sort of parental indulgence is the surest way of producing self-willed, self-centred and self-conceited offspring, who will grow up into social misfits and a disgrace to the parents.

 

This story comes from China. Loo Ting was being sent to the gallows for armed robbery and murder. For years he had been terrorising the countryside by his crimes and assaults on helpless people, old women and children. Finally the law caught up with him. As the judge passed sentence he asked Loo Ting if he had a request. "Let me speak to my mother." Mother came with tears in her eyes. As she approached, he said, "Mother, what I have to say is only between you and me. Let me whisper it in your ears." Loo Ting then held her close and before she realised what he was doing, he had bitten off part of her ear.

 

Then to the startled judge and audience in the courthouse, Loo Ting made his last speech. "I am what I am because of my mother. She brought me up to be a thief and robber, to steal and to hurt others.When I was a child she allowed me to do as I pleased. She never corrected or beat me. Whatever I wanted she gave. When I grew up it was too late. Mother did not give me the necessary discipline when I most needed it. I have been cheated."

 

Parents, indulgence is not love. It is cheating your child. "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Prov 13:24). Let every chastening be just, fair and timely, and tempered withlove.

God bless all readers.

 

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor