It seems the apostle Paul has uneasiness after the first epistle about the church's partisanship and fornication, and Paul writes the latter part of this chapter as he explains that he was not after their possessions, but their souls...being willing to be spent personally for them and their benefit. And so comes the admonition for parents to lay up for their children. In baptism we are laying up for our children's souls...and ETERNAL treasure!

We know what this means physically. Children are entitled to the care of their parents and spiritually there is also this concern (sonship.) We give them ALL things necessary do we not?! We too claim God as our Father and have our comfort in His care as He was and is spent for us! God has established His covenant with us and our children by God unilaterally and lays the obligation of the covenant on Abraham. In the old testament God set up the obligations of that covenant in circumcision. There are more obligations than our children's earthly care however and more important requirements and it is all FRIST about their SPIRITUAL welfare!

How are we going to implement this calling?

1. Note first and foremost that this is an obligation of God to parents in regards to the children HE grants them.

2. It is also in a church where parents ban together to cal a pastor to preach that Word to His children!

3. Parents have this obligation and it is one we can never shed! Baptism requires the bringing up of our children24/7 in a covenantal way. They should have the influences of the covenant. And not in any church, but in a FAITHFUL church!

4. We do this in much prayer which is the beginning and end of this. Hannah prayed and it is through prayer that God conceives and blesses us with children even in adoption, the very formula for OUR adoption! We do daily to God in prayer dependant on God and if we do this we will prioritize our life and God and that lasting treasure will be FIRST and foremost! Our forefather's put away first our of their paycheck for the church and the school and so it ought to be with us! The things of this world are going to burn and pass, but when they stand with us side by side in their confession then they have an everlasting treasure! Paul understands and states that more I am spent and love, the less he was loved by the churches. Love does NOT always find a good return here below, but that makes little difference.

When faithful there is a blessing. God gives us assurance and we will have calm assurance and peace. What a treasure when you bury your parent that you WILL see them one day again in heaven!!! What a treasure!