I love analogies, I can find them in just about everything…just ask my kids. 
It’s hot here is Alabama during the summer,
so if you have yard work or garden work you really want to get it done early in the day if you can.
With our new little ones in the house we are working diligently to develop a Biblical world view in them.
We are always reminding them:
“We are a family, we all work together.“
“We work, then we play.”
“The Lord said, if you don’t work, you don’t eat.”
So… the 3 younger ones and myself went out picking berries.
I told them we had to pick until all the blue ones were off our 2 bushes.
I had one that would like of wander off, get distracted and moan a bit that it was too hot (it was like 8 am!). So I would just gently tell him that there were still berries and that we couldn’t go in until we finished the job. I’d point out a branch to help him see what needed to be picked…and then I’d point out another branch.
I’d remind the children that Dad was out working in the heat
all day every day without complaining
and that all the money he earns buys our food, clothing, home, etc…
He does this because this is what men do, they provide for their families.
And we are suppose to work at home,
even if we do not get paid money, we all have work to do.
And then I saw her…
my little socialist in the making.
She had already taken berries from her sister’s bucket to fill her’s…
then I saw her taking berries from mine.
I had shown her which berries to pick, there were about 10 ripe ones on the low branches. All she had to do was sit and pick those few, but she chose to take from those that had been really working for them.
So I *cheerfully* explained to her…again… we must all work;
even at 3 she can pick a couple handfuls of berries, she must do her part!
Then I explained to all of them…again…
it is not OK to take from people that work.
It is one thing if someone wants to gift you something,
but it is stealing to take food, money, housing, etc…
from people if you are not doing your part.
Most of us are lazy by nature.
It’s easy not to take responsibility, it’s easy to give up when it gets too hot.
We have got to instill an honest work ethic in them from the time they are very little. Start out with tiny, bite size chores, and personal responsibility. They need to know it is normal to clear their plate form the table, pick up their shoes, etc… All of this must be done with a LOT of praise.
What our 3 year can do (with a little encouragement):
- Clears her plate after meals.
- Wipes the table and chairs after meals (even though we may have to re-do it when she is not looking).
- Helps pick berries.
- Carries in a light bag when groceries are bought (think toilet paper).
- Picks up her toys.
- Straightens shoes.
- Folds washcloths and dishcloths.
- Give her a spray bottle of water and vinegar and she LOVES to clean the front of the cabinets.
- Helps along side an older sibling.
I will do everything in my power that these children
will grow up to be hard working and responsible adults.
I pray they will be givers not takers.
We have got to break the chains of the welfare mentality!!!
If you hit hard times that is where your family and church come in. One reason why we have the HUGE welfare state we do is because we’ve lost our sense of personal responsibility, our family structure and church community.
Kathy
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RG says:
I totally agree. Our God is so wise and implemented into every area of life, stop gaps against oppression by unscrupulous dictators. If the going gets tough, He designed a step by step course of action.
Assuming you have been doing your best to wisely use the resources He has put at your disposal, one should never have any need to go higher than their own community to have their needs met.
When the hardest times hit you go first to your family, then to friends, then to your neighbor, then you try to barter for services or goods, then you go to your church family, then to a local farmer or clothier, then to a previous employer or fellow worker, then local charity, then to a community institution. There should never be any need to go to a city, State, or Federal level to have one’s basic needs met.
Most people jump right to the State and Federal immediately because there is little to no accountability. If you ask your sister or aunt or mother for help, they usually want to know what you have been doing with your time and resources and if you have considered settling for a less flashy lifestyle in some area. It is easier to eliminate the humility factor and the accountability that would come by using God’s methods as described in how He instructed Israel.
Undoubtedly the breakdown in the family unit is a big player in all this, but a welfare mentality is poison. No matter where it started gaining ground, it needs to be stopped, and teaching our children is definitely a step in the right direction.
Kathy says:
Thank you for such great commentary! Yes, I agree, “a welfare mentality is poison”!
6 arrows says:
Good thoughts. I’m reminded of something I saw on the internet yesterday:
“The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U S Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing the greatest amount of free meals and food stamps ever.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service administered by the U S Department of the Interior, asks us to “Please Do Not Feed the Animals.”
Their stated reason for the policy is because the animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.
This ends today’s lesson.”
Instructive, no?