Parenting by Design - May 13

Love of the world

1 John 2:15-16: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world" (NASU).

Is there a more important lesson we can teach our children?  Pursuit of material things never satisfies and it never ends.  God has much more for us than the things we desire here on earth, yet we often live in a way our kids cannot see that truth.  They see us striving and stressing because we have one thing, but want another more.  They see us comparing ourselves to others.  Sadly, they may even see us comparing them to other kids, and pushing them to be "successful" in school, athletics, relationships, etc.

Is love of the "things in the world" your example to your kids?  How can you demonstrate love of the eternal?