Whaddya Think?

Yesterday my mother and I were watching the news, and I heard a phrase that started out like this, "All children deserve the best ______" (I cannot recall what it was now, but that does not matter for understanding purposes). The word 'deserve' has never had a postive meaning for me. I wanted to pick apart this phrase because, I have been taught all my life, that everyone deserves death. I am not going to disagree with that statement, because I do believe in total depravity, (being born into sin through Adam, Romans 5:12). However, I felt convicted about saying that all children do not deserve the best ______. Biblically, am I wrong? 

I have been in the book of Matthew for sometime in my personal bible study, and studying Christ's attributes is both a huge task and a blessing. There is so much to learn, but it does not cease to place me in awe at night as I read in bed. Children's minds are shaped by how we treat them. They are influenced by the teachings around them and by our sin.

Matthew 18:5-6 states,  
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." 

Jesus had previously praised child-like humility in verses 2-4, ^"And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

So far we have: 1. Do not lead a child into sin, and 2. humble yourself like a child. I suppose what I am trying to get at is that children are a big deal in the eyes of Jesus. In the next chapter (verses13-15), He prays over them, and boldly states, "...the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (v 14b). Have you ever stopped to meditate on that incredible truth?? Wow!

The Bible commands that we raise Godly children through His word and through discipline, (Proverbs is the book to read, folks!). It also demands thankfulness for children in calling them blessings from God (Psalm 127:3-5). Therefore, I  feel that I can conclude that they deserve the best parenting. 

In conclusion, I suppose the question should be shifted from, "Do they deserve the best?" to "What is your definition of parenting, do you base it off of what Scripture, or what the world tells you?" Now that's somethin' to think about! ;D

Come, Oh Lord. Maranatha.