The Psalmist wrote, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him (Psalm 127:3).” The word ‘heritage’ can also be translated as ‘inheritance’ or ‘gift’. Children are not created to be looked at as a burden, a ball and chain or an object to be used for whatever we want. We can assume everybody obviously understands and respects this fact, but statistics and the news remind us that is not the case.

            Our children need to be directed in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). From the time God called a specific group of people to be identified as his own, He has stressed the importance of instructing our children in the right ways (Deuteronomy 6:4-7). It is not only our own biological children for whom God wants us to look after. In both the Old and New Testaments, Jehovah instructs his people to look after the fatherless (i.e. the orphans, or abandoned children; Deuteronomy 27:19; James 1:27).

            God wants us to protect children the way he protects us. Can you imagine Heaven being great if God will allow any one of us to be harmed? When Israel was preparing to enter the Canaan, God warned them not to follow after the religions of the land. Among the detestable things the Canaanites practiced in their worship was offering their children in deadly sacrifices to their gods (Deut. 12:31; 18:9-10). God was repulsed by this worship.

            Reality is that we can be disappointed by the people we love and respect the most. When we are hurt by their actions, it in no way diminishes the value of the right things they said and did. Follow the right ways. We must remember the greatest things are charged to do: protect our children. That comes before making another adult happy. God has charged his people with the welfare of children. May we never be tempted to sacrifice the welfare of a child in order to preserve the honor of any man we respect or make a god.