Family Guy – 22 April, 2008
It’s incredible how money affects a family ... when I grew up, I would have to say that that was the number 1 cause of arguments between my parents, and the parents of most of my friends too.
And now with the cost of living - petrol, food and interest rates - on the up, money and the fractures it causes, seem to be becoming more and more of an issue.
But how can this be, because while the staples are more costly, life’s luxuries seem cheaper ... who doesn’t have a mobile phone, mp3 player or DVD player? Who doesn’t have a computer in their home or two cars in the driveway?
I think back to when I lived on the Kibbutz in Israel. It was founded by men and women who didn’t care about gathering possessions for themselves, but invested everything they had into building a future for their children and children’s children. The early immigrants to New Zealand had the same philosophy.
Doctor Dobson, in his book Straight Talk to Men, says, “It is my belief that excessive materialism in parents has the power to inflict enormous spiritual damage on our sons and daughters.”
In other words, he’s saying that if we show our kids that we care more about things than relationships; or if they see us trying to buy our way out of an apology; or that when it comes to the giving of our time, money or energy to God, that we are just too stingy, the result is very often a confused child growing into an unbelieving or cynical adult.
Dr. Mark Lee commented in his book, Creative Christian Marriage, that “a family’s value system can be determined from the way they spend money.”
The word Parent is from a Latin word that means to bring forth … we are called to bring forth a well-rounded, responsible & God-fearing adult from the child God has entrusted to us.
It is our responsibility to teach our children that way they should go, and that includes Christian attitudes toward possessions and money.
And with that in mind, remember, kids learn more by seeing what you do far more that what they hear you saying! We are Parents
You can get a copy of this, as well as Rob Parson’s book, The Money Secret from our Online Resource Centre – Family.org.nz. I’ll catch you next week, with more from the Family Guy.
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