THE FOUR BOOKS
OF TIMOTHY TO THE CHURCH
No. 4
TRUE LOVE OF CHILDREN
Parents should love
their children above all material things; and nothing must be
preferred to them except God alone. For this is to love in a
special way. . .to place God above our children. There is no
better way to love our children than that taught by God who created
both parents and children.
How did God order that
children be loved? Let us listen to God himself saying,
"They should put their hope in God and not be forgetful of
the works of their God and they should seek His
commandments." "And you, fathers. . .bring them up
in the discipline and correction of the Lord."
This is what God ordered parents to give their children: not money
or bags of gold, not excellent houses in distinguished places.
God provides for all men. . .but not to live lavishly. The
things man needs are few but salutary, easy but holy, sparing but
great in result, short in writing but eternal in happiness". .
.so that they will place their hope in God and not be forgetful of
the works of their God and they should seek His
commandments.
This is what God wants
parents to give their children: faith, fear of God, modesty,
holiness and discipline. . .nothing earthly. Parents should
give their children things they can use for eternal life and not
things that lead to eternal death.
For most men, riches
are the cause of their spiritual death. "How difficult is
it for those who possess money to enter the kingdom of
Heaven." God, therefore, specially commands:
"Do not store up treasures for yourself on earth, but lay up
treasures for yourself in heaven."
Parents who lay up
treasures for themselves in heaven instruct their children in their
duty to God in the fear of the Lord. Because parents love
themselves truly, they use their transitory goods for their
spiritual welfare and confer eternal goods on their children because
they love their children more than themselves. Bu transferring
their earthly wealth into heavenly treasures, parents acquire
happiness and gain immortal goods for their children.
Why do you gather
earthly treasures for your child? Instead, work so that your
child becomes a TREASURE OF GOD.
St. Salvian,
Presbyter.
(03-30-04)
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