10 Biblical Reasons for Ministry to Children

I read recently some stats that said the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 was $152,790.00!*

That's  $8488.00 each year.

$707.00 each month.

$23.20 each day.

That's about a buck an hour. 

So what about the cost, or rather, the value, of raising a child spiritually? To use that famous credit card commercial slogan: Priceless.

Below are 10 simple and (I trust) biblical reasons why we should minister to children both in the home and in the church.

1. All children are sinners in need of a Savior. 
• Romans 3:23 
• Ephesians 2:1-3
• Psalm 51:5
2. The Savior loves children. 
• Matthew 19:13-15 
• Mark 10:13-16 
• Luke 18:15-17 3.
3. Children cannot be saved without the Gospel. 
• Romans 1:16 
• Romans 10:13-17
4. You are most like Jesus when you are serving and blessing children. 
• Matthew 19:13-15 
• Mark 10:13-16 
• Luke 18:15-17 
5. Teaching children teaches us. 
• You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? (Romans 2:21 ESV) 
• Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1 ESV) 
6. Children are a reward to be received and arrows to be released.
• Psalm 127:3-4
7. Children are fruit to be reproduced. 
• Psalm 128:3
8. Children will live more fulfilled lives. 
• Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV
9. Children are tomorrow’s Church. 
• We have a measure of responsibility to train spiritual leaders beyond our time on earth. 
• This demands we participate in ministry for reasons above & beyond ourselves. 
• It’s not about us. It’s really not even about the children. It’s about the glory of God displayed through His body, the Church, until He returns for His bride.
10. When we serve children, God is our reward!
• And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."  (Mark 9:36-37 ESV)

*2010 figures