World Cup Family

If you feel your life is balanced and your priorities are in order, that may be a sign that you do not yet have children (or they are grown). No matter how balanced life was before them, adding children to the mix instantly pushes our time and resources to the limits. Every activity and program promises fulfillment but demands total commitment from both kids and parents. We are frazzled, busy, and out of financial, emotional, and spiritual resources. Before we know it, kids and their schedules take the place of Christ and our spouse in importance.

The story of the prophet Eli and his children is a sad tale of a spiritual leader in Israel who failed to spiritually lead his children. On one hand, he neglected a relationship with his kids to do ministry. On the other hand, he made his children an idol and disobeyed clear commands from God to make them happy and prosperous. The results were awful.

This story will show us the balance we need in the Gospel to raise our children to love Jesus.