Orlando, FL 2001: Though not every day is Christmas morning, kids should be afforded the opportunity to accumulate bountiful accounts and rewards across their daily lives. Such is the way of the Lord.

From Trent Ling:

“Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.”  Philippians 4:17.

In many respects, God is for parents what parents should be for their children.  Accordingly, God’s treatment of us can be emulated in our treatment of our children.  As an example, God knows my heart and my longing and yearning to do what he would have me do.  I make great efforts in this regard, and God remains keenly aware of it.  So in accordance with the Scripture above, God credits things to my account in our relationship, the same way Paul was hoping the Philippians would prove themselves selfless and get a good favor, standing, and account with God (that could presumably be spent or debited later, as necessary).  As I bumble around the planet woefully imperfect, chronically incomplete, and often nearsighted, God does not blast me at all for it.  In fact, most often, God does not even lay a glove upon me.  He knows I am pouring it out according to his Word, and so he gladly and easily bears with me in areas that may cost my account but do not fall upon my head.

Similarly, our children should be allowed and encouraged to build accounts with God and with us.  These kid accounts must go beyond money gifts or allowances received.  They should be spiritual.  Kids’ hard work, good deeds, sunny dispositions, unique accomplishments, and overall efforts should accrue to their benefit in some spiritually meaningful way.  Up until age 12 (when my kids became old enough to relate more directly with issues and edicts of God), we featured the Prize Jar.  Whenever they did or were something overly sweet, spectacular, wonderful, or especially noteworthy, they could dig into the Prize Jar for a strip of paper revealing their reward.  Through their ages of wide-eyed awe on one hand, and wooden-spooned discipline on the other, the Prize Jar stock represented true treasures.  They could win money, toys, a later bedtime, a spoon pass, or even a kid’s choice award (where they could select any of the prize options).  My son took the “spoon pass” every chance he got.  It would grant to him forgiveness for his next spoon-able offense.  He cherished those passes, even though discipline for him was rare.  More importantly, he earned those passes and they represented great rewards.  And just as God overlooks my floundering, I was similarly allowed to overlook his spoon-able offense!  My daughter went for toys and staying up late, though she really should have taken spoon passes also.  But just like us, they got to spend their accounts as they saw fit, for they had earned them.

Kid accounts allow good will and good hearts to accumulate rightful benefits that extend beyond the day.  Such is exactly how God, whose memory is neither short nor taxed, rewards, honors, and mercifully loves those under him.

Parents must implement kid accounts in the house.  Explain them, express them, and use them.  Build kids into fluidly relating with merciful parents, the same way they will one day interact with and appreciate a merciful God.  Otherwise, our kids are being robbed, and may God come looking for us!

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