Richard Blackaby

Throughout history great leaders have found it difficult to pass on their success to their offspring. The Duke of Wellington, Napoleon’s conqueror, was always formal with his children and withheld signs of affection. His oldest son, Douro was so intimidated by him that he once mused: “Think what it will be like when the Duke of Wellington is announced and only I come in” (Wellington: The Iron Duke, 262). Many children of famous tycoons never demonstrated a fraction of their parents’ business aptitude. William Randolph Hearst loved his children but was often absent from them. His son Bill observed: “In not spending more time with his wife and children, my father made the biggest mistake of his life. It left an emptiness in all of us” (The Chief, 356). Perhaps that is why none of Hearst’s children completed college and each suffered turbulent, failure- riddled business careers. When Hearst’s oldest son George underperformed at one of his father’s companies, Hearst fired him, concluding: “He is apparently too lazy to occupy a position by himself and do any work” (The Chief, 358).

While it is certainly not a sin for your children to choose a different career path than yours, it is tragic when they do not embrace your faith in God. The Bible reveals that many successful leaders failed to lead their children spiritually. God used Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph to launch the Israelite nation. God knew the power of successive generations building upon each other’s walk with God. Moses was a dynamic leader but when he chose his successor, his own son Gershom (Ex. 2:22) was not up to the task so he appointed Joshua. Joshua’s honorable pledge is legendary: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). While Scripture is silent about Joshua’s children, after Joshua’s death, “another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done in Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord . . .” (Judg. 2:10-11). Eli was a national leader but his sons Hophni and Phinehas were corrupt and did not know God (Judg. 2:12). Samuel was a revered statesman but his two sons Joel and Abijah disgraced their priestly office (Judg. 8:3). King Hezekiah was one of the most righteous leaders in Judah’s history, but he reared Manasseh, who was arguably his nation’s wickedest monarch (2 Kings 21:1-2, 9). How could such godly leaders fail so miserably to raise the next generation to follow God?

D.L. Moody was the best known evangelist of his day. Yet his sixteen-year-old son Will renounced his faith. Moody wrote him a heart-wrenching letter: “I sometimes think it is my fault, if I had lived more consistent you would not be so disgusted with what is so near my heart . . . if I have ever said or done any thing unbecoming a Christian father I want you to forgive me and I would rather die than stand in your way” (Moody, 238).

How tragic to walk closely with God ourselves but not to help our children develop their own solid faith in Him. Our enthusiasm about following God does not guarantee that our children share our zeal or understand our spiritual pilgrimage. We must be as intentional about helping our children develop their faith in God as we are in assisting them with their education and embarking on careers. Moody pursued his son until he embraced his faith once more. Are your children following and even surpassing your walk with God?