Keeping Promises to Children | MCGI Topic Review

Brothers and sisters in faith, I hope this message find you well. Today, I want to share some reflections on a profound teaching I recently heard from Brother Eli Soriano on The Old Path. His words on the subject of making promises, specifically to our children, have left a deep impact on me, and I believe they bring about an important lesson for everyone.

In our daily lives, we frequently make promises without giving lots of ideas to their weight. We do this out of love, wanting to convey pleasure to our cherished ones, in particular our children. But Brother Eli' teaching in this matter has opened my eyes to a distinctive way of reasoning, one that aligns carefully with biblical understanding.

Brother Eli began his teaching with an assertion that, in the beginning, might seem counterintuitive: "Do not promise anything." These phrases struck my interest without delay, and as he continued in this thought, I discovered myself nodding in agreement. Let me share with you the insights I gained from his teaching.

Brother Eli Soriano's recommendation, "Do not promise anything," may seem unexpected at the beginning, but there may be deep knowledge in it. As I contemplate on his teaching, I'm struck by recalling how regularly we make promises without fully thinking about the burden they convey. Brother Eli points out that "a surprise is better than a promise fulfilled by way of pressure." This resonates deeply. How many times have we seen the strain on mother and father' faces as they battle to meet a promise made in a moment of weakness or overconfidence?

Brother Eli's perspective on giving little by little, without the burden of a promise, is clean. It clearly brings joy without the strain of expectation. I can imagine the delight on a toddler's face whilst receiving a sudden gift, compared to the hectic anticipation of watching for a promised one.

The connection Brother Eli presents between our promises to our children and our vows to God is especially thought provoking. He reminds us of Ecclesiastes 5:4, which warns us of making vows we can't keep. It's a sobering reminder that our words have consequences, not only in our earthly relationships but in our spiritual lives as well.

The verse from Proverbs 13:12 about hope deferred makes the heart sick takes on new meaning in this context. I never took into consideration how unfulfilled promises may cause such pain. But as Brother Eli explains, when a desire is fulfilled unexpectedly, it turns into "a tree of lifes." There's a lovely lesson here about the joy of unexpected blessings.

Brother Eli's realistic recommendation not to boast about the following day, based on Proverbs 27:1, is a humbling reminder of our limitations. We sincerely do not know what each day may bring, so why burden ourselves and others with promises we might not be able to meet?

As I reflect on this teaching, I'm challenged to reconsider how I approach promises, particularly to loved ones. Perhaps there is more virtue in quiet, constant acts of love and wonder gestures than in grand promises. It's better to be more conscious of our words and movements, to reveal love through deeds rather than making promises.

Brother Eli Soriano's teaching encourages us to take a look at giving standards through a biblical lens. This lesson on promises is not any exception. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most profound manner to show love and care is through unexpected kindness as opposed to predicted duty.

May all of us take this lesson to the coronary heart and practice it in our everyday lives. Let us attempt to be extra thoughtful in our words and greater beneficent in our sudden moves. In doing so, we do not only convey greater joy to our loved ones but additionally honor God with our integrity and faithfulness.