One of the characteristics that distinguished the Jews from other people of the Bible was the value they placed on children.

They had learned well Yahweh’s absolute prohibition of child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12: 31-32) and the importance he placed on teaching children to love and serve him (Deuteronomy 6: 7-9).

Jesus responded in anger to the disciples’ denial of the worth of children in the Kingdom (Mark 10:13-16). Jesus went so far as to say that people are better off dead than to cause children to fall (Mark 9:42). He taught that to receive children is to receive Him (Mark 9:37); to give to children is to give to Him (Matthew 10:42); and to become like a child is the secret to conversion (Mark 10:15). Jesus invited children to come to Himself (Mark 10:14).

Children are a blessing from God (Psalms 128:3). Psalms 128 has been called “the Builder’s Psalm ” because to the Israelite the home was an opportunity to pursue the holy task of “building” sons and daughters. This concept clearly portrays what the Creator had in mind as parents are to work at “building” their children – laying the foundation of faith in living before them as Christians, honoring Jesus, nurturing and undergirding them with prayer, polishing them with the teaching of God’s Word. Then, if well “built” in the Lord, these children will themselves become builders of sons and daughters, continuing godly seed unto the generations.

Children then are the most valuable fruit of the Kingdom. They are generally sensitive and pliable – open to the gospel. They are fresh and energetic with years of service to offer in the Kingdom. Children are part of the heritage God gives (Psalms 127: 3-5). When we devalue them, we have crossed swords with the Almighty.

May this devotion help us to take the spiritual nurturing of our children as a priority and not as a burden.