Are You Putting Family Above God?

There are times I've chosen the easier path thinking I was doing what was best for my family. 

Family-friendly paths are a huge temptation to Christians even when they aren't the best choice. 

Christians usually aren't tempted by blatant sin, but we're often tempted by selfishness, and sometimes we use our family as an excuse.

We need to ask ourselves some hard questions:  Are we indulging our children and encouraging their selfishness? 

Or are we teaching them to think of others (Philippians 2:3-4)?

Are we neglecting responsibilities to other family members (parents, siblings, grandparents) to focus on our children? 

Or are we making sacrifices and teaching our children to make sacrifices (Matthew 16:24)?

Are we seeking our purposes or God's purposes (Matthew 6:33)?

God doesn't want us to neglect our family. But neither does He want us to put their desires above His purposes (Ephesians 2:10). 

Matthew 10: 37-38 makes this clear:

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

For more on family priorities:
A Wheel, Not a List
Needs vs. Wants
Selfish Marriages