The Real Treasure, the Real "Good Stuff", the Real Important Things!

I've been writing quite a bit about helping the children in our ministries know, love and walk with God themselves, so today I thought I'd share a reason children do not make this choice . . . because they - and often their parents - are deceived. How are they deceived, you ask? Because they are told the "treasure", the "good stuff", the "important things" are in this world and they should chase after them. When children and families chase after the things of this world, they run the huge risk of forgetting God.

What things to they chase after? Well, many families thing it is important for their children to participate in sports - they forgo participating at church so their children can attend sports practices, sporting events and competitions. When families make this choice, it tells children sports is important and church is something they can miss for the things which are really important. Of course, we know this isn't really true, but families have been deceived to believe it is.

Often families put going to church after other things on their to-do list, after things like, family trips, parties, sports and even after just having a busy Saturday so they are too tired to get around on Sunday for church. This sends the following message to children; other things are more important than going to church. Of course, we know this also isn't really true, but families have been deceived to believe it is.

The truth is the real treasure, the real "good stuff", the really important thing is knowing, loving and walking with God. Everything else will leave us empty. Everything else is an illusion. Chasing after other things looking for the "good stuff", will consume our time and lead to us forgetting God.

We need to be focused on helping children - and families - discover the real treasure, the real "good stuff", the really important thing of knowing, loving and walking with God. We need to be focused on being sure we help them know God's love for them is endless and when they love Him back, they will find the treasure! We need to help them know walking with God does not mean they have to serve Him to keep His love, but rather they serve Him because their love for God overflows into every part of their lives! WE need to help them know they spend time in God's Word not because they have to, but because when they do, they will know Him more!

So, how do we do this? First, we have to be sure we model knowing where the real treasure is and making it our priority. If we are chasing after false treasure, it is difficult to encourage others not to do the same. Spend time with God and ask Him to show if and where you are chasing after false treasure; where you have been deceived. Then commit to challenging children - and families - to make the real treasure, the real "good stuff", the really important thing of knowing, loving and walking with God their priority!