In the Word of God there is a principle that all Christians should heed. This is the principle of “Instructing and Investing.” Instructing the next generation in the ways of God and investing in them spiritually. It is quite evident that the current generation has forgotten this principle. Many young men called to ministry are often forced to rely on Bible Seminaries and Universities for preparation and instruction. Many young ladies are pushed off as second hand Christians with little time spent teaching them the many vital roles they can play in the church and home. As a result they look to pop culture or at best the contemporary movement for unbiblical advice on femininity. Young Christians are frequently thought a nuisance and shoved into a corner where they look for acceptance and instruction in the open arms of false teachers and unconverted religionists.
Where are the dedicated pastors, the faithful ministers, the devoted deacons, the concerned Christians, the men and women of character? Where are the committed churches that will take on their responsibility to instruct and invest in the lives of young men and women, boys and girls? Who will teach them the Word of God and how to pray? Who will instruct them in biblical theology, teach them Christian conduct, and train them for a life of service as a believer?
A casual glance at Scripture will demonstrate this principle time and time again. Joshua had Moses, David had Samuel, Elisha had Elijah, Daniel had Josiah, the disciples had Jesus, and Timothy had Paul. These were men of God investing in the next generation that would follow in their footsteps. Some were prophets, some priests, some kings but all had an influence. You may not be a pastor, a minister, or a deacon, that is fine but you can still have a godly influence while instructing and investing in your children or the young people in your life.
Notice a brief look at one of the many examples in Scripture, Daniel and Josiah. Josiah was king of Judah in Jerusalem for 31 years. He was a King who did that which was right in the sight of the LORD (2 Kings 22:2), he led Judah into national revival (2 Kings 22-23), he lived by and obeyed every command of God (2 Kings 23:2-3), and he killed the false priest, destroyed the places of idolatry and tore down all the idols and smashed them in to powder (2 Kings 23:4-20). For the first 16 years of Daniel’s life he had a godly king who greatly influenced his life. The lessons learned by Daniel made him the prophet of God and the great man of character seen throughout the book of Daniel. What prepared Daniel to face the hard times and suffering in Babylonian captivity? It was the instructing and investing that King Josiah did in the life of Daniel. Daniel was without doubt privy to the King’s actions. Daniel chapter one states clearly where the young men were from who were brought into Babylonian captivity. Dan. 1:3 “bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes.” There is a possibility that Daniel grew up in the palace but regardless he saw a king that was on fire for God, who loved God, served God, prayed to God, obeyed God and this effected Daniel in such a way that he lived the same kind of life even in the midst of persecution.
Too often Baptists and other evangelical groups are quick to let someone else do the hard labor of instructing and investing. An exhortation from Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2 asserts, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” The only thing that will prepare the next generation for service and the difficulties that await is instruction and investment from faithful Christian men and women. Children need to see dads and moms, grandpas and grandmas, Christian men and women who Love Jesus, obey his Word and believe his promises. Men and women who pray, study, and evangelize all while abstaining from the appearance of evil and living holy. If things get worse in this country, what will keep the next generation faithful? It is going to be a relationship with Jesus Christ in salvation and through prayer, an understanding of sound doctrine, and active membership and involvement with a local church.
Are you instructing or investing in a young person’s life? Paul says that the things you have heard…the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. You should be teaching and committing; instructing and investing in the lives of young people in such a way that when you are gone the truth that has been taught will be preserved in another generation and will work to preserve the next.
The Pastor’s Pen