Cancelling Disney Channel Is Not Child Abuse...

My husband and I read Crazy Love by Frances Chan this summer. It completely changed the way we think about everything! If you have not read this book yet, I would HIGHLY recommend it. We are now teaching it as a series to our senior youth Sunday school class. Teaching it to our youth group, has changed how we think even more. Because sometimes you have to work a little harder to explain your points to youth (especially early in the morning) since they are not always open to discussion.

Last Sunday we were teaching chapter 8, which discusses the need to fully rely on God financially. The idea of not needing retirement accounts or savings accounts because if you are truly relying on Him, then you know that He will provide. When the Bible speaks of financial responsibility... responsibility is helping others and not wasting your money on selfish things or building our savings accounts for the what ifs. Think about how different this world would be if everyone lived for God and helped one another instead of always thinking of themselves first...everyone's needs would always be covered. While you are taking care of others needs, someone else is taking care of yours.
We shared with them this chapter was the hardest for us to think about because in this society it is so hard to surrender the financial aspects of life. However, we are suppose to trust it all to God since it is never ours to begin with. We are not to become so embedded in this world that we see it as our home nor are we to feel that our lives are better because of "stuff".
So, when teaching this to the youth group, we shared an example that we had just started in our home. We recently cancelled all cable channels, with the exception of just receiving the four network channels. This saves us $60 a month, which we now plan to use to help others with their adoption expenses. Boy, did this example get the teens' attention! They thought we were crazy! "Who lives without cable?", they questioned. They also expressed concern for our children not having the Disney channel. My husband assured them that our children not having the Disney channel is not child abuse and that there are far more important things than cable in this world. I am pretty sure they will not be wanting to hang out at our house any time soon. However, I hope that they see the point of what we were trying to share.
Many times throughout this study with have shared with them the following ... You can never do anything to repay God for what He has given us through Jesus. You are saved by grace. He does not need us, nor does He need us to do anything for Him...He is God. However, He longs for us. He wants us to come to Him and He wants us to live for Him.
It is like when we teach our children manners over and over. It does not mean as much when they are prompted by us saying, "What do you say?" Then they say, "Thank you." However, when one of our children walks up to someone on their own and says, "Thank you for what you did. I really appreciated you taking the time to help me." THEN, that means the world to the person they are thanking. As their parents we are overcome with emotion for them taking the time to show appreciation to others. Or How much would it mean if we gave the kids money and told them they HAD to buy something for someone in need. Yes, it would be nice on our part, but how much more meaning would it have if they decided that they wanted to spend their money to buy something for someone in need? These are some of the points that we have made with the youth that seemed to click not only for them, but for us too. He doesn't need us to do anything for others, but He longs for it...
We found this video of Frances Chan, sharing his thoughts on Proverbs 30: 7-9.

Proverbs 30: 7-9

"Two things I ask of you, O LORD;

do not refuse me before I die:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

give me neither poverty nor riches,

but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'

Or I may become poor and steal,

and so dishonor the name of my God.