Priorities

Wendell Winkler, faithful and effective gospel preacher for 61 years, recently passed from this life at age 74.  Brother Winkler was a prince among preachers and a great Christian in attitude and disposition.  It was always a joy to hear him in gospel meetings and lectureships.  Churches all over the brotherhood have profited from his articles and class study books.

One of his excellent articles on priorities recently appeared in the bulletin from Northport. Alabama where he was a member.

At your house, what priorities will be established in your children when ......

• you are early for their ball game, but late for worship?
• you check on their homework regularly, but never check on their Bible class lesson?
• you won't let them stay up late on school nights, but let them stay up late on Saturday night?
• you won't let them miss school even thought they don't won't to go, but let them miss church worship services?
• you know the names of their school teachers, but do not know who is teaching their Bible classes, nor what they are studying?
• you will serve as room mother or volunteer at school, but will not help with classes, activities, programs which involve spiritual matters?
• you support, attend, or even participate in their sports activities, but regularly miss activities involving the church?
• you almost never miss a meeting of the civic club of which you are a member, but frequently miss worship services?
• you will not go on vacation during school days, but go on vacation during VBS, or a gospel meeting?
• you go to work even though you don't feel like it, but stay home on Sunday in the same condition?

Your children are watching!  What priorities are being established in the hearts of your children?  What a sobering question!

Clarence Deloach