The Value of Children
In the middle of being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer, dealing with side effects and not feeling the best, God gave me a huge blessing! This was something I had not expected!
When my granddaughter stays with Nana and Granddad, we always talk to her about God – His love, Jesus – His sacrifice on the cross, and the hope of heaven through salvation. On Thanksgiving night during our bedtime “God talks”, she was asking questions and her mind put it all together.
My granddaughter prayed that night to believe and receive Jesus as her savior, while I listened and marveled at God’s grace. What a huge blessing and joy God gave Judy and I!
I am reminded of the priority the shepherd placed on seeking one lost sheep and the joy in heaven celebrating the one coming to salvation. (Luke 15:3-7) We should always be sharing the gospel message with young children. We never know when and where they will understand and choose Jesus.
During my 15 years of being called and serving full time in reaching children ages 4-14 with the gospel, God has shown me again and again how much He loves and places a high value on children.
One surprising passage I came across that reflects God’s care is in Exodus 21:22-24 (ESV):
When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine.
But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life,
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.Exodus 21:22-24 (ESV)
I asked God: why the fine and punishment for accidently bumping into the pregnant woman? Seems a little harsh. Then as I analyzed the verse, I found the husband had a right to demand a fine amount to be paid as the “judges determine.” This means there was a known law to protect babies in the womb
that judges would uphold, establishing their high value. The men fighting were putting the woman and baby in danger. They were responsible for being aware that a woman AND a baby were nearby.
God carries His heart for children into the New Testament in Matthew 18 where Jesus states the Father’s will “that not one of these little ones should perish.” He goes on to say “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This is saying that children are the ones who are NOW ready for salvation.
Interestingly, children are the most responsive to the gospel. Most Christians (85%) say they received Christ as Savior and Lord between the ages of 4 and 14.
That is why Child Evangelism Fellowship continues to train men, women and teens to reach children with the Gospel. Teenagers who are challenged/discipled to share the Gospel with children and see the power of God for themselves, become champions of the faith who can stand against all attacks.
There truly is no greater joy than to experience the Lord working through you to bring one more lost sheep into His family. When that little one is your child or grandchild, the joy is doubled!
Written by: Tom Boor
