A Lending Tree survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers last year found over half of parents have gone into debt to pay for child-related expenses. About 75% said raising children had been “far more” expensive than they expected.
One group of statistics stood out the most.
“Across all parents,” the survey found, “45% feel the need to overspend on their child to keep up with other parents or their child’s peers.”
For millennial parents and parents with minor kids, this figure was even higher at 56%.
As my husband and I enter serious discussions about schooling for our children, spending has become a topic in our household. And, as the holidays draw near, I suspect we all feel at least some inclination to overspend — whether on gifts, decorations, or some holiday activities.
1 Timothy 5:8 tells us we should provide for our household if we’re able. More than just provide, though, as loving parents, we often aim to spread joy.
For parents like me providing what you can, you are not limiting the bounds of your children’s joy now or in the future.
We see in Ecclesiastes that God doles out joy separately and apart from wealth, possessions and even honor.
In Ecclesiastes 6:1-6, the author, likely King Solomon, describes how he has observed himself that God hands out riches and wealth but, for some, does not allow any joy in it.
He writes, “God gives a person riches, wealth, and honor so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, but God does not allow him to enjoy them.” He adds that a “person [may] live[] a thousand years twice, but … not experience happiness.”
And, earlier in Ecclesiastes, the author explains that God has a pattern of reserving joy specifically for those who love him.
“[T]o the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting [without joy], only to give to one who pleases God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:26) (emphasis added).
God gives us joy as a gift independent of riches, wealth or honor. The world will tell us that joy and possessions go hand in hand, but God’s Word says no.
Joy comes from fellowship with the Lord. (Galatians 5:22). If we believe it for ourselves, it is also true for our children.
That relationship with him is something we can help our kids cultivate — or invest in — with or without money, and the joy of it is boundless.
Watch or listen as I walk through this article on my podcast Tired But Called now on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcast.
