Joshua 17:14 “Then the sons of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, ‘Why have you given me only one lot and one portion for an inheritance, since I am a numerous people whom the Lord has thus far blessed?’”

How many times have you heard your children say, “That’s not fair, Mom!” Perhaps their sibling got an extra dollar in their allowance for doing an extra chore. Or maybe their brother was taken for an ice cream cone because they had cleaned their room without being asked.

Our kids see everything! And they don’t like it if they think they are being cheated “their fair share.” This passage today talks about how the sons of Joseph was complaining to Joshua because they thought they deserved more than they were given. While other tribes had conquered their portion of land and taken possession, these folks were reluctant because the enemies they faced had iron chariots. They were afraid to take them on. They had forgotten one huge thing – God was fighting on their side! Also, the land was already their land. They just had to claim it.

I love what Joshua did. He was a good parent to them. He said, “If you want it, go get it.” He didn’t do it for them. He told them it was their job to possess the land. We parents can take a lesson here. Stop doing everything for your kids. They must learn to do those things on their own. They must experience “the fight” sometimes. They must feel the tiredness in their bones after completing a chore. They need to see how a task looks after THEY complete it. Stop enabling your children just because little Gertrude whines and says, “Mommy (Daddy) I don’t know how!” You have shown her a hundred times. She knows how.

Don’t you want strong, independent children? Don’t you want them to be able to stand on their own two feet? Don’t you want them to make good decisions? Then teach them life’s not fair. But….God is! He always will do what’s best for them. Allow them to build that trust and faith in God by stepping out sometimes. They will always succeed if they are trusting the Father.