GOD GIVES US CHILDREN FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS
Why does God give parents children? There are probably a number of reasons, but the most important is that He wants children to be raised to know and love Him.
Our Lord Jesus did not come into the world as a full-grown man but as a baby born into and raised in a godly family. The human character of Jesus, no doubt, owed a great deal to the upbringing He received from His parents. As a child, Jesus was very much aware that the purpose of His life was to serve His Father in heaven. Because He had learned the Scriptures, He could tell Satan when tempted by him, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
WHY DO WE RAISE OUR CHILDREN TO BE CHRISTIANS?
There are many parents who are raising their children to be Christians so they may be safe and secure, but I am afraid there are not too many who are raising them for service. There is a great need today for young men and women to respond to the Great Commission - young men and women who are willing to lay aside the attractions of materialism and the security of a good job and a nice home in order to go where Christ has not been named.
WHY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO GO?
One reason so many young people are unwilling to go is simply that they have not been raised with the consciousness of their responsibility to go. I am afraid many parents are unwilling to see their young people make the kind of sacrifices necessary in order for the Gospel to be brought to more than two billion who have yet to hear it.
Elisabeth Elliot, in response to a question about parents and children and the claims of Christ, said, "Most parents are selfish, too, and I can understand why parents don't want their kids to go to the mission field. It's tough. When I think of my daughter's going to Bangladesh or Africa or someplace, my heart fails. I naturally don't want to see her go out there with three children. But by the grace of God, I say, 'Lord, send my children.'"
REASONS FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF MISSIONARIES
The estimated number of born-again believers in the United States runs into the millions. If we can assume, for the sake of argument, that there are a million Christian homes in this country, then we have to ask the question, "Where are the children?" If one child from each Christian family went to the mission field, we would have a million missionaries. We don't have even a tenth of that number. Perhaps there are many reasons there are so few missionaries, but one of the reasons must be the lack of commitment and concern on the part of parents.
WE NEED PARENTS WILLING TO COMMIT THEIR CHILDREN FOR MISSIONARY WORK
God gives children parents in order that a godly generation might be raised up. To be godly means not only to be faithful to God's character but also to God's calling. We need parents who are willing to commit their children to God and to make any sacrifices necessary to see their children serve God, even if it means they leave this country and go to another. It may mean they will be exposed to danger and disease; it may mean that grandchildren will not be seen very often and that many of the occasions shared together by families will be missed. However, such parents will realize that life here on earth is very short, that we must live with eternity's values in view, and that whatever is lost here for Jesus will be gained for eternity.
WHAT IS MY PRAYER?
I thank God for a mother who was willing to do and to sacrifice whatever was necessary for me to get training and preparation for missionary service. My prayer is that there will be many other such parents who realize that their children do not belong to them but to God, and their one desire will be to have their children love God with all of their hearts and serve Him with all of their strength throughout all of their lives.
At one time Jesus said, "suffer the children to come unto me." Today I think He is saying, "Let them not only come unto me, but let me send them to others who have never heard of me."
Parents, where are the children?