7 Good Reasons Why You Must Invest In Children

“To invest in a child is to invest in our common future. The world of tomorrow will inherit the children of today.”- UNICEF

Here are 7 Good Reasons Why You Must Invest in Children. Have you ever watched the faces of parents whose child is being celebrated for his/her moral values and academic excellence? Do you see how they beam with so much pride as their child walks up the stage to receive his award or prizes? Such moments are worth capturing and celebrating. And for that parent, every time invested to nurture, support and encourage that child is worth it. That parent often forgets the sleepless nights, times spent teaching, encouraging, supporting and counselling her child. She knows all of the sacrifices made was worth it because she was investing into the future of her child.

Why Are Children Important To God

“And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.” Malachi 2:15

God seeks godly seeds on the earth. He desires to see men and women who will advance his kingdom agenda on the earth today. His dream is to see children that will tomorrow become the men and women who will reflect his nature, extend his arm of love and display his wisdom on the earth. And this is why children are an important part of God’s grand plan for humanity. A child is a gift given by God and entrusted into your hands as a parent to nurture and train according to God’s plans and purposes.

When you train up your child according to God’s standards and point them to God as you raise them, you are sowing seeds of faith and godliness into their mind and heart. And indeed the greatest legacy you can leave behind for your children is a legacy of faith in God.

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Every child that comes into the world is an answer to problems and crises in their generation. They are the ones who will shine God’s light in the place of leadership, innovation, influence and service to humanity. But, this will only happen if parents become intentional in their roles as godly role models and worthy leaders.

Every child represents a dream, a vision, a mission and a purpose. Many things will conspire and seek to kill those dreams and visions as they journey through life.

It is your responsibility as a parent to nurture, train and raise children who know and love God. And because God seeks a godly seed, one of your roles as a parent is to raise children who are spiritually, emotionally and mentally aware to face the world. Remember also that Jesus spoke these words -Let the children come to me. This is because children are important to God.

What Does The Bible Say About Children?

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

” Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ ” Matthew 19:14

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.“ Matthew 18:10

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

” People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Matthew 10:13-16

“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:19

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.” Isaiah 54:13

“I tell you the truth, ‘Anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’ Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” Mark 10:15-16

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

7 Good Reasons Why You Must Invest In Children

So, why should you invest in the spiritual, moral and emotional growth of your child? And when we say children, it is inclusive of children born by you, children who are adopted, children kept under our care as guardians and teachers, and children who we come in contact with every single day.

1. CHILDREN ARE THE HOPE OF THE FUTURE.

When I first listened to Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani teenage girl who was shot by the Taliban, I was amazed at her depth and sense of purpose. Malala is a strong advocate for the female child’s right to education. She is also the youngest Nobel prize winner who uses her voice as a tool to drive change and continues to inspire many young girls to get an education.

Malala has often credited her father, Ziauddin, for nurturing and encouraging that voice that speaks fearlessly and confidently before world leaders. In her words:  “My father made me realize that my voice was powerful.”

Read some of her words below.

“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.”

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” –  Malala Yousafzai

When you listen to such words spoken by a young girl, then you should know that children are the hope of the future. We must invest in their spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health. Will you keep this hope alive today in your families?

2. CHILDREN ARE THE LIGHT THAT WILL SHINE GOD’S LIGHT TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

What happens when you turn on the light in a very dark room? Of course, darkness disappears and light reveals the true state of the room. A child is like that light and can dispel darkness wherever they are as they journey through life.

Jesus himself calls us the light of the world. He says that this light will shine in the darkness and that darkness cannot comprehend this light. Also, the bible says the word of God is a light unto our feet and a lamp for our path. God’s word is a light and life-giver. It is so important that we fill the hearts of our children with the light of God’s word.

Every child was born to soar and shine. God has put his light within them and they can become that ray of light in a very dark world. And you have been chosen by God as a parent to nurture that light that is in your child. Let their lights shine brightly and for many generations to come. Will you nurture that light that is in your child?

3. CHILDREN ARE A TRUE REFLECTION OF OUR VALUES.

I once watched a video online of a child shamelessly taking out money secretly from her dad’s wallet. She had perfected the act by watching her mother do the same thing every other day.

Children are like sponges and absorb everything they see and hear around them. If you as a parent/caregiver intend to teach a child about honesty, you must first be honest. If you want to teach them about responsibility and hard-work, your own life should reflect what you intend to teach. Think deeply about the kind of values you plan to pass on to your children. Remember that who you are is what your child/children will eventually show to the world. What are you modelling to your child every single day?

Why You Must Fight For The Destinies of Your Children

4. CHILDREN ARE CARRIERS OF THE SEEDS OF GREATNESS.

Did you know that every seed has the potential to become a tree? Some of these seeds will become shrubs, while others will become mighty and extremely tall trees. However, the journey to becoming that mighty tree begins with planting a seed. After which, you must nurture it till it starts to grow. Children carry the seeds of greatness inside them and these seeds must be nurtured to grow and blossom.

The story of Les Brown readily comes to mind. Les was born in an abandoned building and was adopted by a single mother alongside his brother. He was labeled as educable mentally retarded (EMR) during his school days, until his high school teacher showed up and changed his life.

He said to his teacher that he could not learn because he was considered as educable mentally retarded (EMR). His teacher spoke these words to him that changed the trajectory of his life. She said,  “Don’t you ever say that again. Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.”

The rest they say is history. Today Les is a highly sought Motivational speaker with many life changing messages to his credit. Look out for seeds in the lives of your children and start nurturing them.

5. CHILDREN ARE THE CHAMPIONS AND GAME CHANGERS THAT WILL INFLUENCE A PEOPLE, A NATION AND A GENERATION.

I once watched a documentary about Elon Musk, where his mother described him as a voracious reader as a child. Elon Musk is an engineer, entrepreneur and innovator. He is the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, both companies doing great and innovative things.

Musk spent most of his childhood in South Africa. At the age of 9, he got his first personal computer, picked up interest in programming and started to learn it by himself. At the age of 12, he earned $500 selling a computer game Blastar which he had created by himself.

Elon Musk is one of the forward thinking young people doing innovative things to make the world a better and safe place. Elon’s Tesla cars are electric vehicles that require less energy to run and have better air quality because they emit less air pollution like toxic carbon.

This brings us to the question – what kind of child are you raising? Are you committed to raising champions and children who will drive change in the world? Are you intentional about raising children that will be great leaders and godly influencers in their society?

6. CHILDREN ARE LIVING MESSAGES THAT WE ARE SENDING TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

Have you ever listened to a wife talk about the excitement she felt after receiving a love note from her husband? She blushes each time she reads his love notes as she gets lost in the joy and gift of being loved. Children are like those love notes. You read them and either joy or sadness will well up in your heart.

Your words matter and your actions are leaving deposits in their hearts.

For with every word spoken, every value given and every action taken, you are writing messages in the heart and minds of your children. Your children are the living messages that will build or break the next generation. What kind of messages will your child/children share with the world tomorrow?

7. CHILDREN ARE THE ONES WHO WILL CELEBRATE YOU AND PRESERVE YOUR LEGACY.

I am never quick to forget the moving speech delivered by Jeb Bush, brother to past President of the United States, George Bush Jr after their mother’s death. Jeb spoke passionately about his mother’s legacy and remembered the woman whom he and his siblings called “The Enforcer”.

In his words:

“She taught us to serve others. She taught us to be civil. She taught us to love your family with your heart and soul; and she and my dad didn’t have to tell us how to do that, they just acted on their love for 75 years”.

Do you know that your children will speak about you one day when you pass away? They will stand and tell the world who you really are. What will you be remembered for? Are there lessons from your life that they will keep in their hearts forever? What stories about you will make them laugh and cry? What memories of you will they always hold in their hearts forever?

“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” Proverbs 13:22

That inheritance goes beyond money and material possessions. It is about leaving behind a legacy of faith in God, a legacy of truth, justice and fairness. It is all about leaving behind a legacy of kindness and good character. And that your children will grow up to become worthy citizens and true representatives of God on the the earth. What legacy will you leave behind for your children?

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