“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

John Wesley was a very wealthy man of his day, yet he chose to live a very modest life on as little as possible so that he might give as much as possible to the poor and outcasts of society in Christ’s name.  He would, undoubtedly, not have understood or tolerated the attitudes expressed today by the bumper sticker often pasted on the back of a large RV traveling down the highway—the one that says, “I’m Spending My Kids’ Inheritance”.

“The Father is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” Matt. 18:1

You’ve probably heard the parable of the lost sheep taught as a general evangelism passage challenging believers to seek the lost.  While a legitimate application, the sheep Jesus refers to in this parable in Matthew 18 are actually children.  The bookends on either side of the parable are parallel statements about the Father’s heart for children.  On one end is Jesus’ warning not to look down on the children for “their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven”.  On the other side is His representation of the parable as a picture of the Father’s determination that none “of these little ones should be lost”.  Our Lord’s passion for and high value given to children is obvious—as is the implication for us.

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones.” Matt. 18:10

From 1854 to 1929 nearly 200,000 destitute children were transported, mostly from Boston and New York, by Orphan Trains to families across America. Mostly immigrant children who were orphaned, abandoned or neglected by their families, they would arrive at a train stop, pile off the train and line up for inspection by waiting adults who poked and prodded trying to ascertain who would bring the best value to their farm or business.  Those not chosen would pile back on the train and head for the next stop.  While many children found good homes and families, many other were exploited and abused treated as nothing more than property as indentured servants or worse.

“Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” Matt. 18:5

Effective parenting and grandparenting demands intentionality.  Everyday we stand at a crossroads and must choose the path we will walk—my agenda or God’s agenda.  That was the challenge God laid before His people through Jeremiah—ask for the good way, then walk in it as intentional travelers. (Jer. 6:16)

One marker pointing to the “good way” is found in Matthew 18—welcome the children.  While parents and grandparents are included, intentionally traveling this path is for EVERY adult.  We are all called to welcome a little child because in so doing we declare our allegiance to Christ and His heart.