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Parenting and Education
When Ingratitude Can Cause Serious Problems for Your Children – And What to Do About It



Teaching children to have grateful hearts can be very challenging. Perhaps it’s because we struggle with it too. But there’s one sure sign of ingratitude that can spell real trouble for your children.

Many forms of ingratitude can be seen in simple ways – they don’t say “thank you,” they’re demanding, or they just don’t care. All of these need to be addressed with your children. But there’s one sign of ungratefulness that Scripture speaks against in detail.

It is coveting. In Hebrew, the word means, “to delight in or to desire.” No one likes to admit that we covet. It is a socially unacceptable feeling to have, much less to express (at least in the Christian community). Yet the 10th Commandment instructs us not to covet, which implies that, in our sinful nature, we often desire what others possess.

Thankfully, the Bible gives sound wisdom on this matter.

Long ago, there lived a man named Ahab. He was the king of Israel. He had much wealth and yet he coveted Naboth's vineyard. The man would not sell or trade his land to the king because it was the inheritance of his fathers.

Ahab was depressed because he could not have what he desired – even though he did not need it. His wicked wife Jezebel devised a plan to have Naboth falsely accused of cursing God and the King. The penalty was death by stoning. And so Naboth was killed. What can we learn from this account found in 1 Kings 21:1-10?

Coveting is a sin that leads to many other sins, including stealing, se.xual sins, vio.lent sins, and murder (as we see in this example). It is a sin that very much leads to harm for your children and others (including you). So when you see your children coveting (or identify it in your own life), it’s vital that you address it quickly and consistently. Make sure they hear these things from you often:

You have to teach your children repeatedly that God has already given them all that they need. (Phil 4:19) Teach them to be content with what they have. And that God supplies all their needs – and so much more.

You have to teach them to reflect on the cross and to realize how valuable they are to God. (Luke 12:6-7)

And, finally, you have to teach them to repent of their greed and refocus their thoughts on God’s goodness and on what He has promised. (Phil 4:8)

1 Cor. 2:9 – But as it is written, things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man. All that God has prepared for those who love Him.

– Gladys Villnow

posted by AcrosticGuy @ 4:18 PM