Spring Break ~ INVEST

Are you one of "those moms"? They aren't just "stage moms" anymore. Now they're also "spelling bee moms," "sports moms," and "entrepreneur moms." Let's face it! It's hard to get ahead in the world, and a mom (or her best girlfriends, mother, sisters, etc) are like a mama bear when it comes to making sure our cubs have the best chance at the honey. Get outta my way, my baby is comin' through, and a swarm of bees isn't going to stop us!

Not Christian mothers !?!?!? (horrified face here) Yes. Even "Christian" mothers.

Is it so wrong that we hope for a great education, well rounded activities, a rewarding career (that can take care of me in my old age), a show on Food Network, a little political influence, maybe a Nobel Peace Prize ... ahem. I digress. ;) God wants to give good gifts to His children, which is so clear HERE in Matt. 7:9-11. His gifts are far beyond the fame, acclaim, attention, and recognition we can sacrifice and struggle and strive to gain for our children. We have only to look to the qualities in God's own Son, Jesus, to see what is great in the Kingdom.

Jesus was humble, a servant, sacrificing, obedient, and kind. Do we work for the good of our children? Yes! Do we encourage our children to work for the best that they can achieve? Yes! But we set the standard for their heart's goal and motivation:

John 6:27 ~ "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

1 Cor. 10:31 ~ "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Do you want God's "seal of approval" for your children? For yourself?

Yes, INVEST in your children. INVEST for your children. Teach them to wisely INVEST in their future, but give them a longer view than this earth offers. Let's show them how to INVEST for eternity. Here are a few steps on that path:

• Make participating in a local church body a priority.
• Make serving others a priority.
• Make giving of your resources a priority.
• Make lifting Jesus up the attitude of your home.
• Make thanking God as the source of all gifts the norm.

Maybe this truth is as much for the adults in the lives of students as it is for the kids. We train them up in learning what to value and where to put our "stock" in life. Maybe "401 K" should mean "4 Only 1 Kingdom."

Blessings to you as you invest. Tomorrow? The "N"