Almost twenty years ago, Steve wrote Preparing Sons to Provide for a Single-Income Family. At that time, we had two sons who could provide for families, but they were not yet married while the other three were still young enough to be homeschooled. Now four of our five sons live that vision, providing for their wives and children and living in debt-free houses. The fifth can financially provide for a family and owns a debt-free house but is still single.
Spiritual Preparation
The message of preparing sons and daughters hasn’t changed. As parents, we want to be purposeful in preparing our children for mature adult life. That preparation comes in many areas. The most important is spiritually. Are you helping your children to have a relationship with Jesus that is based in the truth of His Word, that seeks His will in all aspects of their lives, is growing and dynamic, and follows Him obediently in glory and virtue? “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
Good and Bad Appetites
Are you thinking through what you allow and don’t allow in your children’s lives and the appetites that might set in their hearts—good or bad—in their adult years? We will either give our children appetites for the fun and entertainment of the world or for ministering, working, and being productive servants of Christ. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints)” (1 Corinthians 16:15).
Productive Teens
Are you encouraging your children to learn and work through their teen years? How many young people play and text their way through some of their most productive years when they could be learning skills and starting businesses? “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8).
Servant’s Heart
Are you growing a heart in your children for serving and loving others as opposed to serving and loving self? “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Step by Step
All of these areas don’t turn on with a magic switch at age 18. They start with our three-year-olds hearing and learning God’s Word in family Bible time, helping Mommy set the table, and doing sister’s chores when she is hurt. They move into the nine-year-old who reads his own Bible every day looking for God’s truth, who can make lunch by himself, and who rakes the widow’s leaves with Daddy. As a teen, that child studies the Word because he loves it. He prays and seeks the Lord’s direction. He has joy in his walk with Christ because it is a real relationship. He pushes back from the world—its looks, loves, and activities—rather than embracing it. He already has the beginnings of marketable skills that he is developing and is eager to learn more. He invests his time helping and serving others rather than pursuing his own entertainment and fun.
When to Start?
It is never too early or too late to consider these things and your desires for your children. Solomon asked several times in Proverbs for his son to give him his heart because Solomon had instruction he wanted to share with his son toward a godly and fruitful life. He was looking down the road to his son’s adult years.
If you could use some encouragement or practical ideas in these areas, Preparing Sons and Buying a House Debt-Free are those resources. We recently released the audiobook of Buying a House Debt-Free, which is on special for $9.99 through August 16th. Preparing Sons is also an audiobook. Audiobooks are super convenient to listen to while driving or doing other activities where one has their hands occupied but not their minds.
