Mother's Best Gift

Mothers give their children many gifts. Some of those gifts are tangible; they are visible.

We can see them. We can hold them in our hands.

Other gifts from mothers to their children are intangible.

We can’t visibly see them with our eyes. We can’t hold them in our hands.

Those are the gifts that build our character.

Some gifts produce the values we desire for the child’s future life.

But there are other, greater gifts a mother – or a grandmother - can give to her children.

We have a Scriptural example of this truth in 2 Timothy 1:1-7; 3:14-15. READ

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:1-7

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Here we see a mother and a grandmother who gave a son a great and lasting gift.

So, what is a mother’s greatest gift to her children?

Material things? That may be what a young child thinks.

Think back – those of us who have some years on us – can you remember all the material gifts your mother gave you? Can you remember any of those gifts?

Oh, they were great at the time – because we wanted them so badly – probably pleaded with her to get them for you. After all, “all the other kids have one.”

If you think back, you will find that most of our memories of our childhood don’t involve material things.

So, if all those material things are of very little importance to us now, what is the greatest gift a mother can give to her children?

The Greatest Gift a Mother Can Provide for Her Children is Instruction in the Word of God.

Let’s take a look at Timothy’s background.

He was raised in a home dedicated to God’s Word – vss. 14-15 – “which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

That faith began in his Grandmother, Lois, who instilled it in her daughter, Eunice, who instilled the wisdom that leads to salvation for her son, Timothy.

This grandmother and mother taught their son and grandson the greatest gift they could give – the way to eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Why is this the greatest gift? And why are mothers so vital in the lives of their children?

Because the children can then share it with their children.

The Gospel is perpetuated - continued through that generation and into all generations that follow.

In that way, the truth can, and will, reign eternally.

Children can continue to add fuel to spreading the Word of God --- taking the testimony of Christ throughout the world.

Why is the Word of God the greatest gift?

The Gospel teaches mothers to be bold in their faith – to speak it with power.

It teaches the love of our Father God for them.

It teaches them discipline to guide them in the path they allow their lives to take.

Mothers matter when they are committed to God and to Prayer.

Think of Hannah who we read about in 1 Samuel. She was committed to God and to prayer.

READ - 1 Samuel 9-11

Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”

She was able to see that all things received are gifts from God. And so, we are to submit to God’s will.  (1:11)

Faith that is transmitted from one generation to another is a blessing to behold.

Although, sadly, sin is so often the condition that is passed on from one generation to the next.

It is a time of rejoicing in a Christian mother’s life when her child follows her example of giving her life to Christ.

And, for a Christian mother, it is a sad day when she knows that her child rejects Jesus Christ as Lord.

Who knows – a mother may be raising a son who will become a man of God, one who will preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Parents have a huge responsibility as they raise a child.

One of the greatest obstacles they face is the need for defense against Satan.

This is the main reason it is important for families – especially those with young children – to worship together.

When Satan sees part of a family at worship while others in the family are at home, or out playing, or catching up on sleep or chores left undone during the week – he is delighted – he is ecstatic even!

He knows he has another slave, and that there is hope that he will eventually win the rest of the family as well.

So, how do we, as Christians, combat the power of Satan over our lives?

1.    We kindle afresh the gift of God – daily

Make Jesus known and alive to our children and grandchildren through reading the Word to them, and with them, and encouraging them to study the Word on their own.

2.    Bible study is vital for parents who would know God’s Word, so that they may effectively instruct their children in the home.