Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
“Build into your family life regular patterns that remind you that all of your money belongs to God. Every Christmas, our family begins the morning by reading Luke 2, praying, and then deciding where our “Christmas gift” will go for the year. Each year, one family member gets to suggest to which charity the gift goes, and how much, and then we discuss it until we come to consensus.
Teach your children to be extravagant with the resources God has entrusted to them. For example, when you go out to eat, represent Christ to the person who serves you. When appropriate, let the waiter or waitress see or discover that you are a Christ-following family by asking them when you pray if there is anything they need prayer for. Because most waitstaff have experienced Christians as among the rudest people and worst tippers they serve, give them a far bigger tip then they would likely receive from anyone else regardless of the level of service. Generosity to all, not only to those in need but to everyone, is an expression of God’s graciousness to us, and helps us to trust Him even more.”
Kara Powell and Chap Clark in Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011) 43, 184
Children follow consistent examples. They do. They celebrate them as “role models.” When fathers (and mothers too) live inconsistently, that is to say, their walk does not match their talk, in Pauline terms it “exasperates” children. It does! There’s nothing worse for kids than parents saying one thing and doing another. No wonder the Apostle Paul calls for consistency in guiding children in the training and instruction of the Lord.
What’s this look like practically?
Powell and Clark suggest that our family lives should have regular activities that teach our children about God’s gracious generosity toward us. Repetitive practices like the two examples mentioned above teach children to be generous. Jenni and I have found this to be true with our children which are now grown. If you want to leave a great inheritance to your children, do intentional family activities (over and over) to teach them how to live, give, serve, and love like Jesus.