Social Security or Lasting Security

The present political climate finds many bemoaning the fact that our generation is mortgaging our children’s future.  Trillions of dollars of debt and astronomical amounts of interest on that debt threaten to destroy the US economy and reduce a once great nation to rubble, leaving our descendants with far less than their forefathers had to enjoy.  These startling realities should motivate us to get involved, vote for change, and hold our elected officials accountable.

But while the future generations face these and more desperate problems, if things continue as they are, something far more alarming and significant may be in store for them.  The Christian church, especially the American Christian church, seems far more concerned about its children’s Social Security than its spiritual security.  What if we correct the course of our political and economic ship, elect a responsible and effective Chief Executive and fail to leave a godly heritage to our children?  What if we fail to do all we can to instill in them an eternal perspective, hunger and thirst for righteousness, and a passion for Christ and His gospel?  What if we restore the so-called American dream and fail to pass on a Biblical vision to the generation to come?  What if our children inherit our IRAs, property, and houses and do not inherit from us an unshakable faith in the Almighty God that will stand the test of time?

I realize that we cannot give our children, or any of our descendants, genuine saving faith in Christ or unshakable commitment to His truth.  But we can, by God’s grace, lay a foundation for them, model a commitment to them, and teach them with a genuine and fervent passion that communicates something of their eternal value.  As Paul invested his life in his son in the faith, Timothy, and passed on to him his gospel vision, may we do the same with the children the Lord has given us.  Let no cost deter us nor any burden hinder us from passing a vision for Christ and His kingdom to our children and the future generations.  May we walk in the integrity of gospel-centered lives and see the blessings of God on our descendants after us (Prov. 20:7).

That the generations to come might know Christ,

Charles Cavanaugh