We are all about family. The truth is, the problem is, we are all about OTHER people’s families.

The most popular show on television today? “Duck Dynasty.” After that there are the programs about “The Kardashians,” “Housewives,” of various zip codes, and “Hoarders.” We like to spy-glass at the inner-workings of family relationships that we can keep at arm’s length – or record for a later, more convenient time.

Our own family relationships cannot be put on hold. Whether it is a teething infant, a tantrum-tossing toddler, a hormone-hosed teenager, a suffering spouse, or an aging parent – we have to deal with our family in “real time” not unreal reality TV time. Those with whom we have a true connection don’t just get our attention when it is convenient. That is what makes us a “family.”

The account of the Rich man and Lazarus is almost too familiar for our ears to hear the real challenge that it offers. It is easy to read about a rich, self-absorbed, politically important man who is so involved in his own life, so busy orchestrating his own pleasures and perks, that he completely ignores the plight of Lazarus, a man who falls inside his gate, but far outside his pay-grade.

Friends, if we are not careful we can carry the rich man’s attitude into our family. Too many are more concerned with our own wants, our own pleasures, and our own personal time and neglect the need of their family – especially spiritually speaking. The Bible is clear, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). “Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself” (Eph. 5:28). “Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). “Honor thy father and mother” (Mat. 19:19).

Beloved, we cannot put our families on hold to deal with at a more convenient time – now is the time for family. Don’t neglect your family. Remember, Noah was a successful man of God because of the saving of his household (1 Pet. 3:20).

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com
http://harrisandmoore.org
https://fromthepreacherspc.org/
http://www.syfirst.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/