CHILDREN AND PROSPERITY
Rev. Noel Kutien
Dan Brewster in his book Child, Church and Mission has said this about children suffering from prosperity, "… it is also true that children in affluent nations and affluent families are also suffering and at risk. It is said that children in the West have, 'everything to live with but nothing to live for.' Many children and young people , especially in developed nations, are at a loss for who they are, for direction in life and for any sense of purpose. Millions are suffering from neglect, lack of parental care, nurture and protection and the exploitation of predators of many kinds."
We have been dealing mainly with children suffering from poverty, but are we paying attention to children at risk in prosperous families? Prosperity also has its own problems and we need to address it when we want to help children at risk.
The prosperity of the West has trickled down to India. As a Trojan horse along with prosperity social ailments have infiltrated society. In a short time we will boast of more millionaires than any other nation. We who have a ministry to children are we concerned with what is happening in these families and children in particular? I heard lately that in one denomination in India there are more divorces than marriages. In this area the number of suicides are high. This is the place where the literacy rate is the highest and people are quite prosperous.
How shall we address the problem of children who do not get enough time to be with their parents? What about children who have every toy and gadget but not enough love from their parents? What about the rich kids who stay alone when their parents go out to work and may fall prey to those who will exploit them? These very kids are prone to substance abuse, violent behaviour and suicidal tendencies.
We who are called to minister to children need to understand what is happening around us. We need set up training centers to train up those who will work among children. We also need to set up counseling centers to cater to both the affected parents and children. Most of all we need to cry out to God on behalf of children and ask God to give us direction. Are we prepared for action?
The writer is a EFI Secretary and Director of CEEFI. |
