Chapter 15: Training in Self-Indulgence

There has been a lot of tv segments and internet articles over the last year or two about indulging our children.  They ask questions like, "is it good to give our children everything they want?", or "is it right to give a child a trophy just for participating?"  Well, duh!  They answer is no!  In this chapter, Pearle says, "I have sadly observed many children being trained in the art of selfish indulgence by their parents' readiness to shower them with tinsel and fluff.  A child raised with commercial gadgets heaped upon his lusts is much more prone to be envious and covetous than the poor child who finds satisfaction in the simple things of life.  (I've seen several examples of this in real life and in movies, The Count of Monte Cristo is a great example)!  The child who grows up deprived of nothing is greatly handicapped in real life.  Never consider your affluence to be an davantage to your children.  It is a handicap for which you must compensate.  Examine carefully and prayerfully Jesus' words regarding the disadvantages of the rich."
Mark 4:19 "but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."
Luke 12:15 "Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."
I Timothy 6:6-10 & 17-19 "But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil,  and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  Instuct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed."
This chapter and these verses probably step on some toes.  Our indulgent and pampered society is a big reason why our country is in the shape it is in today.  I'm all for "enjoying the fruits of your labor," but do it within your means.