• Flourish means to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.

 

“Our families nurture, preserve, and pass on to each succeeding generation the values we share and cherish.” – Ronald Reagan

 

  • If we don’t make intentional decisions about what we value most, then the forces of a materialistic and consumptive culture will make most of our decisions for us.

 

Luke 8:7
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.

 

Luke 8:14
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

 

John 10:10 (NKJV)
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

 

  • Abundance does not mean a life with more stuff, bigger stuff, or better stuff, but rather a life that has eternal hope, joy and peace through Jesus that is not circumstantial.

 

Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

 

Matthew 6:31-33
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

 

Which mentality will our family choose?

 

  • Scarcity Mentality – collect and keep as much as we can for ourselves because we are in competition with one another. (Worldly Perspective)

 

  • Abundance Mentality – give and receive with open, grateful hands because we belong to one another (Biblical Perspective)

 

Six Values Of A Flourishing Family:

  1.  GRATITUDE

 

  • Gratitude helps us reframe how we see our lives by recognizing and enjoying how we are provided for.

 

2. TRUST

 

  • As believers, we can trust that our needs will be met, whether it’s how we imagined or in some other way.

 

Matthew 6:27
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

 

3. CONTENTMENT

 

  • Being content is enjoying what you already have, deciding that it’s enough and believing you have everything you need to be happy.

 

4. GENEROSITY

 

  • When we embrace an abundant mentality, it empowers us to use our money, time, and talents to do good.

 

“Try not to become a man of success, but a man of value. Look around at how people want to get more out of life than they put in. A man of value will give more than he receives.”
– Albert Einstein

5. RESPONSIBILITY

 

  • We want our family to understand what resources are available and how they can be used to support our family’s values.

 

  • Financial competency is one of the best gifts you can give your kids to prepare them for life.

 

6. PRODUCTIVITY

 

  • Celebrate each person’s uniqueness and support development of skills and capacities to serve others and pursue the greater good.

 

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

  • Growing in our capacity and skills allows us and our family to be productive members in society and in the Kingdom of God.

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