The national financial deficit is blasting by $22.5 trillion as ever-expanding federal government spending programs continue to outpace what the economy can support. This is irresponsible and not sustainable if we continue on the present course.
 
The national fathering deficit has 40 percent of kids waking up in homes without a dad present as marriages continue to fail nearly half of the time. Furthermore, fifty percent of young ladies under age 25 are now giving birth out of wedlock. Arguably, marriage is at best an afterthought to bringing a child into the world for many in this generation. This is irresponsible and the family model is not sustainable if we continue on the present course. This is in spite of studies repeatedly showing how critical a mom and a dad are in the raising of a child. One such study documented how with just one parent, biologically a child may suffer from an oxytocin or vasopressin deficit that can cause emotional challenges well into the adult years.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. – Genesis 2:24. Has not the one God made you? You belong to Him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. – Malachi 2:15. Whatever document is referenced – Genesis, Malachi, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians or a marriage certificate, the underlying message is one of responsibility. In Genesis, the responsibility is to get out on your own, away from dad & mom and for dad & mom to let their child get on with the next chapter of life with no dependency on them. In Malachi, the responsibility is to work together as dad & mom to raise a godly generation. In Ephesians, chapter 5, the responsibility is to learn how to love as Christ loved the Church. And with the marriage certificate, the responsibility is to keep the significance of this relationship in perspective as the closest thing to the relationship with Jesus the Christ in this life.

Which came first – the financial deficit or the fathering deficit? Are they related? Both fall under the responsibility deficit. Deficit, whether financial, emotional or spiritual, may be the best single word to describe the legacy of the past couple of generations, mine included. The good news is that, while just a snapshot, young couples in a number of churches are exhibiting a strong commitment to marriage, to praying through both parents working outside the home and to raising godly offspring. I pray for this generation daily as they push back against a culture that encourages irresponsibility.

Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for Your timeless Word. Your Word illumines how irresponsibility has created the national deficit. It is not a financial issue as much as a relational issue, specifically a relationship with Jesus issue. Help me stand against the national deficit by learning to love my bride as You love the Church. Equip me to encourage a generation in the balance to push back against the culture with the eternal asset of a personal relationship with You lived in marriage and reflected in family. I pray in the powerful name of Jesus the Christ, that the national deficit be wiped out by the surplus of Your love exhibited in strong marriages and families in each home, church and community across the nation. Amen.

A faithful father wipes out the national deficit with a surplus of the Father’s love.