Often times as the Christmas season approaches, anxiety and pressure begins to rise up as we try to figure out what we are going to give our children and how much we are going to spend. We somehow get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the advertisements and sales causing us to stretch our budgets and create debt. It can be very stressful for those that are living pay check to paycheck and the enemy loves to attack with spirits of depression, lack, guilt, and insufficiency to keep us from enjoying the true meaning of the Holiday. Jesus was born for the purpose to defeat all of these spirits and more. He didn’t come to give us condemnation, but to save us (John 3:17). In the long run, our children won’t be impacted by what we buy them, but what we teach them and how much quality time we spend with them. My best childhood memories are from times that we came together playing board games and enjoying each other. God is a God of generations and what we place value on so will are children also. Wealth starts from the inside and works itself out. God wants to give us everything that He has promised in His Word, but we must live it and continuously teach it to our children. Their inheritance lies in the wisdom that you impart in them not in the money/things that you can give them.
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (NKJV)
The Greatest Commandment
6 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observethem in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’[a]
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one![b] 5 You shall love theLord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
As we keep God first in everything, He will prosper and multiply us and our generations to come. God wants us to bless us to be a blessing. When we know the reverential fear of the Lord it will bring supernatural wisdom and understanding that will give us access to a life of prosperity. God takes pleasure in our prosperity and also gives us power to gain wealth but our trust must stay in Him and not in our material/jobs/abilities. Ultimately, the best thing we can leave our children is a good name.
Proverbs 22:1(NKJV)
22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
Integrity and good character brings favor. People will do business with whom they can trust. Our legacy for our children will be built by our name, not by what gifts that we buy them. When they one day look back at their childhood they will remember the values that you have taught them and the time that you have invested in them, not the money that you spent on them. Celebrate this Christmas by sharing the love of Christ and creating memories that will last a lifetime, ones that they will pass down to their children. Let’s teach the Word of God to our children in all situations and as he prospers us remember what He has brought us out of. Encourage a spirit of giving and it will activate a spirit of thanksgiving and appreciation. It is okay to give gifts, but don’t let it take away from the focus on Jesus or from the financial stability of your home.
Father we thank You for the Christmas season that gives us a platform to share the love of Christ and focus on His love. Forgive us for allowing the devil to flood us will thoughts of condemnation and anxiety trying to get our children all of the material things that they desire. We shift our focus back on You and thank You for the wisdom that You have given us to impart into our children. We desire a good name to leave with our children and wealth that begins with the Word inscribed in their hearts. Show us how to teach them Your fullness so they may be thankful in all things. Show us how to invest quality time into their lives that will impact their futures. We bless You and give You glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (NKJV)
The Greatest Commandment
6 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observethem in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’[a]
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one![b] 5 You shall love theLord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
As we keep God first in everything, He will prosper and multiply us and our generations to come. God wants us to bless us to be a blessing. When we know the reverential fear of the Lord it will bring supernatural wisdom and understanding that will give us access to a life of prosperity. God takes pleasure in our prosperity and also gives us power to gain wealth but our trust must stay in Him and not in our material/jobs/abilities. Ultimately, the best thing we can leave our children is a good name.
Proverbs 22:1(NKJV)
22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
Integrity and good character brings favor. People will do business with whom they can trust. Our legacy for our children will be built by our name, not by what gifts that we buy them. When they one day look back at their childhood they will remember the values that you have taught them and the time that you have invested in them, not the money that you spent on them. Celebrate this Christmas by sharing the love of Christ and creating memories that will last a lifetime, ones that they will pass down to their children. Let’s teach the Word of God to our children in all situations and as he prospers us remember what He has brought us out of. Encourage a spirit of giving and it will activate a spirit of thanksgiving and appreciation. It is okay to give gifts, but don’t let it take away from the focus on Jesus or from the financial stability of your home.
Father we thank You for the Christmas season that gives us a platform to share the love of Christ and focus on His love. Forgive us for allowing the devil to flood us will thoughts of condemnation and anxiety trying to get our children all of the material things that they desire. We shift our focus back on You and thank You for the wisdom that You have given us to impart into our children. We desire a good name to leave with our children and wealth that begins with the Word inscribed in their hearts. Show us how to teach them Your fullness so they may be thankful in all things. Show us how to invest quality time into their lives that will impact their futures. We bless You and give You glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!