This past Sunday, my Pastor Jay taught from the book of Judges (chapters 17–18), where we meet a man named Micah who made incremental compromises in his devotion to God. Those small choices set in motion a chain of events that ended poorly and served as a reflection of the moral compromises and collapse of the entire nation of Israel.
We also met a Levite priest who sold out his calling for “ten shekels and a shirt.” His integrity was for sale. He traded it for what seemed to him like something better. How often are we tempted to compromise our priorities, our faithfulness to God’s standards, our very integrity for career advancement, financial security, or success in the eyes of the world?
Pastor Jay then asked a question that hit close to home for many parents:
Maybe you haven’t sold out your faith for career or success. But are you prioritizing your child’s academic or athletic achievements over their spiritual health?
Now that’s a question worth wrestling with. I know it can be painfully uncomfortable, because it feels different if it’s for the kids. Especially since many parents in today’s culture treat grades and sports, scholarships and trophies as if they are the ultimate goal. But as followers of Christ, we know they may be good things but they aren’t ultimate things. Those things are temporary, not eternal. They are not worth sacrificing treasures in heaven.
When our kids were growing up, we had a family saying: “Is your integrity really worth _______?”
If one of our children considered filling their free water cup up with soda at Culvers, I’d ask, “Is your integrity really worth $2.99?” What about sneaking into a movie without paying? Or lying about your age to get a discount? Is your integrity really worth so little? It was a lighthearted way to make a very serious point—your soul is worth far more than whatever you might gain by cutting a corner.
As the new school year approaches, it’s a good time to evaluate our priorities. When our kids observe us, what do they see? Are we showing them—by our words, choices, and schedules—that devotion to God comes first? Or are we unintentionally teaching them that success in this life actually is more important than faithfulness to God?
Let’s commit to raising sons and daughters who understand that matters most is not their GPA, making a team, or their social status. What matters most is their devotion to the Lord, their character, and their obedience to Him.
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Matthew 16:26a