From Dr. Jeffrey L. Myers, in his recent book, Cultivate
Parenting coach Cathy Adams says that when she asks parents this kind of question, most say, “I just want my kids to be happy.” Fair enough. Few people would say the opposite.
But what is the biblical answer to the question? If we desire to faithfully apply what we know to be true of God’s nature and character and live out His mission for us as revealed in scripture, then the answer is clear: to love God, to properly steward one’s gifts, to be wise, and to be a blessing to all nations of the earth. Let’s look at the first one …
Love God. In Deuteronomy, Moses relayed the following command from God:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
It was crucial for the Israelites to love God with their hearts, souls, and might. Jesus reiterated the importance of this principle in his earthly ministry when the Pharisees asked him what was the most important command (see Mark 12:28-30).
