In Matthew's gospel, chapter 18, the disciples asked Jesus which of them would be most important in His kingdom. Can't you see these men standing around like a bunch of little kids, arguing about who was the greatest?

We can just imagine one of them saying something like this: "Well, you know, I must be the most important because I help Jesus with the preaching. Remember when He sent us out two by two? I held meetings in several towns, and there were all kinds of miracles! I must be the greatest!"

But Peter probably said, "You know, boys, I'm Jesus' right-hand man. He wouldn't be where He is today if it weren't for me. I think I'm the most important."

Then Judas spoke up and said, "No, I'm the most important because I'm the treasurer. Money talks, you know. I finance this whole operation, so if it weren't for me, we wouldn't be in business."

The discussion could have gone on and on, with each disciple telling why he thought he was the most important. Finally, someone says, "Let's go ask Jesus." So they did.

Jesus answered them by calling a little child to Him and saying:

"Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!" (Matt. 18:3-7).

God loves children. Jesus said if we are to enter the kingdom of God we must become like little children, and the one who is like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Throughout the Bible, God calls us His children and says He is our Father. He tells us how precious we are and how much He loves us. And that's the kind of parents we are to be.

Source: How To Raise Your Kids In Troubled Times by Buddy & Pat Harrison.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers