A Blueprint for Rewards

Missed Reward

Intro

Good morning. Our passage this morning is going to be the entirety of Psalm 127. But, before we begin, I want to tell you about Ronald Wayne.

Back in 1976 Ronald Wayne was one of the co-founders of a little startup company called Apple computer. For his efforts he was offered a 10% steak in the company but chose to sell it back at that time for $800. He didn't appreciate the value of what he had and instead was focused on the financial risks and potential liabilities of his partnership. Today 10% of Apple is about 300 billion dollars.

I want you to consider that as we read Psalm 127

Psalm 127 ESV

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Let’s Pray

A Heritage & A Reward

I brought up Ronald Wayne and his shortsightedness in regard to Apple, because I see something problematic and understanding this song in today's culture. In order to understand this passage, you have to appreciate v3.

Psalm 127:3 ESV

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Children are both a Heritage, meaning our inheritance and a reward for our building a life according to God’s design. But how does this square up with Chappel Roan’s recent comments:

All of my friends who have kids are in hell, I actually don’t know anyone who’s like happy and has children at this age. Anyone that has light in their eyes, or who has slept.

This doesn't seem like much of a reward. And wow, Chapel Road might be the most famous person to have said it. I see this sentiment being echoed by a lot of people. The DINK or Dual Income No Kids lifestyle is trending and influencers are bragging about the great rewards of not having children to look after. Yahoo finance calls this lifestyle the American Dream for Gen Z and Millennials. In fact, a recent pole shows that 35% of Gen Z prefer to not have children.

Now I look around Valley and see all these kids running around with their Gen-Z and Millennial parents and beside’s making me feel tired and old, I have to concede that to some degree I am preaching to the choir. But, parents, we can probably all agree that having children isn’t the fastest path to financial success.

A Fallen Understanding