Guardians of God’s Heritage

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Jun Malazo

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."  (Psalms 127:3, KJV)

Children are treasures from God.  The word heritage is the Hebrew word nachălâh

(pronounced nakh-al-aw’) which literally means inheritance or possession.  If you are a parent, you have been given a tremendous treasure from God—your children.  And as a parent you have been given the privilege to train “God’s heritage” to follow God’s purpose for his or her life.

My wife and I have been privileged to be the parents of five children ages 17 to 2.  Each one of them has unique personality traits, and we thank God for each one of them.  We recognize the awesome responsibility that we have to nurture them.  We recognize both our physical and spiritual responsibilities toward each one of them. 

Sadly, our society in general does not value children as we should.  I found an interesting article regrading family structures in the Philippines.  According to the ABS-CBN News article posted on September 25, 2008, there are up to six million children left behind by OFW (Overseas Foreign Workers) parents.  The author, Aries Rufo said, “The government should rethink its policy of promoting labor migration as a way of generating employment opportunity, as it strikes adversely into the very foundation of society, which is the family.”           

The article highlights Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF (United Nation Children’s Fund) deputy director for programs, and her address in the International Conference on Gender, Migration and Development which was held in Manila concerning the implications of parents leaving behind families to work overseas.  She adds that the absence of parents creates, “. . .displacement, disruptions and changes in care-giving arrangement.”  This creates a dynamic change in children’s upbringing with far-reaching negative implications.

While many would argue that having an OFW parent creates better livelihood and better educational opportunities for children, Tobin argues otherwise.  The article continues:

Tobin cited studies where it was found that “there is not much improvement in the lives of the families, the money being sent is just enough or sometimes hardly meet the demands and needs of the families left behind.”

It is true that there are economic benefits to working overseas.  But according to the article studies have shown that children do not see provision of these benefits as a form of care.

The article continues to say:

Labor migration of parents also skews the values of children as they view it only in terms of ‘money equivalent.’ With no proper guidance from the parents, the regular remittances lead to materialistic attitudes of children.

This not only creates a materialistic attitude, but it also harbors an unhealthy self-entitlement outlook of children which will not be good for their social development.  The article adds that, “Children of migrants are also vulnerable to abuse and violence with the parent’s absence.”

Additionally, Tobin closes by saying:

“The prevailing separation of one or both parents from their children definitely goes against the interest of the children. It is therefore imperative to determine how these remittances are utilized to find ways to increase the positive effect of remittances on these rights and promote their best use.”

This article gives us a sad but true picture of the devaluing of the importance of family unity in our society today.  Sadly, the children whom God has entrusted to parents suffer the most effect of the absence of parents.  Children need their parents to fulfill their God-given role.  Simply put, parents cannot fulfill this by being physically absent.  Just exactly what are these responsibilities?

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."  (Ephesians 6:4, KJV)

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  (Proverbs 22:6, KJV)

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes."  (Deuteronomy 6:6-8, KJV)"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."  (Proverbs 13:24, KJV)

The above verses are plain and self-explanatory.  But more importantly, these roles cannot possibly be fulfilled by parents that are not physically present with their families.  Your role as a parent cannot be outsourced or fulfilled by proxy.  Nor can your physical guidance be replaced by your monthly remittances. 

Paul Chappell in his book entitled “Making Home Work In a Broken Society” said:

“As parents, we are to give attention to the upbringing of our children.  We are to shape their hearts, lives, and consciences.

As the guardians of God’s heritage, our job is not to change who God made our children to be, but to shape and direct their lives toward the purposes God has for them.  We are to provide protection that nurtures and develops them….so when the time comes…they have  a solid foundation and a straight direction.”

In closing, delinquent children are often a result of delinquent parenting or the complete lack thereof.  As guardians of God’s heritage we must treasure each of our children.  We are not here simply to make sure they have food, shelter, and clothing.  We are here to love and to develop them to become responsible adults who serve and love God.