It could not be more revealing: What you spend your money on reflects what you think is important. We either invite or repel the world's culture with every dollar we spend.
|
|
Teenagers spend $150 billion a year on what you allow them to spend it on. Don't make the mistake of thinking, "They earned it; they can buy whatever they want." You, as the parent, have the right to say, "No, you are not ready for an iPOD (or a computer)." You allow them to work a summer job, and then you help them plan how to spend the money wisely.
When your kids start putting the squeeze on you, who has influenced them to influence you? With the constant barrage of media luring them down a path, it's easy for the world's values to dominate most kids' desires.
Our desire to give our kids more than what we had when growing up, or make up for the time that we cannot spend with them can lead to their absorption with the media that destroys them. The time they spend and the values they learn from the media contraptions you bring home will actually pull you farther away from having a deep relationship with them. Your desire to give them what you never had may turn out to be a curse and drive you farther apart as a family.
Ron Luce is the president and founder of Teen Mania Ministries, a Christian organization reaching millions of young people worldwide. He passionately declares the Gospel through Acquire the Fire TV broadcasts, youth events, camps and media resources, challenging teens to take a stand for Christ. www.teenmania.org
