Three Steps To Building Self Worth in Your Kids1. Tell them Bible stories.

There are 11 places in the Bible where parents are commanded to tell their children the stories of the Bible. When we obey that, we’re introducing our kids to their Father God. That’s the first step toward helping them build a personal relationship with Him, which is the only thing that will give them true self-worth.

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Psalm 78:5-8

Children with self worth are children full of hope. They see that ”tons” of people in the Bible fell and got back up. And they know, ”Even if I mess up big, God still loves me and has a plan for my life — and nothing is going to change that.” If they have that truth inside them, their self worth will soar.

2. Affirm them.

As we build our kids’ self worth by teaching them Bible stories and leading them to a relationship with Jesus, we need to give them affirmation. Affirmation is showing our love and approval through our words. Words are a powerful force.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue….

Proverbs 18:21

Romans 13:1-7 says that everyone in a position of authority has two responsibilities:

(1) We are to confront and punish what is evil; and (2) we are to praise that which is good. At least half of all the time we spend with our kids should be used for praising the good that’s in them. That’s a spiritual law — whatever is good in them is accelerated by our words of praise.

God affirmed Jesus before He faced the devil. God said, ”This is My Son, and by the way, I’m really pleased with Him” (see Matthew 3:17; 17:5). God wants us to affirm our kids too.

You also have to teach your kids that when they don’t have anyone around to affirm them, they have to do it themselves. Teach them to continually affirm from Scripture: ”I’m the redeemed of the Lord. I’m the apple of His eye. I’m the head and not the tail.”

Say what God says about you, and you’ll speak life into your own soul.

…David encouraged himself in the Lord….1 Samuel 30:6

3. Accept your kids the way they are.

I don’t mean that parents should accept their kids’ sin, but they should be aware that words ”stick.” In other words, punishment will pass, but words are forever. What we say brings life or death — for a very long period of time. We can make that spiritual law work for us and not against us by letting our kids know we still love them even when we discipline them. We can speak life over them even when they’re mixed up and messed up.

Self worth comes from the value God saw in us when He sent Jesus to save us, because He loved us just the way we were.

No kid should leave home without a strong sense of self worth. As a parent, you can build your kids’ self worth by telling them Bible stories that fill them with hope in God, by giving them sincere words of affirmation, and by loving them unconditionally. When you do these things, you’ll give your kids a tremendous advantage in life.

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I know it’s hard to believe, but another year has passed and 2012 is upon us. As we recover from the festivities of the Christmas season, it’s easy to let weeks and months pass by while we put off acting

on some critical tax issues that ministers, ministries, and churches need to contend with each year. Religious organizations and pastors have some unique income-tax saving opportunities that should be carefully considered. In addition, the year 2012 has special payroll tax considerations. While further tax changes are uncertain because of the current economic climate, pastors can still take full advantage of the provisions in the tax code designed especially to benefit them.

Following are some top tax and compliance questions to ask for 2012 that could make your income tax return a whole lot less painful this year.

1. Are you maximizing your housing allowance?

The housing allowance has frequently been referred to as the ”Minister’s Tax Shelter,” and it is without a doubt the single greatest tax benefit available for ministers. While this benefit allowed to ministers under the Internal Revenue Code is significant, it is the responsibility of each individual minister — and his or her church or ministry — to make sure the housing allowance is properly documented and administered. The following are two additional guidelines to assist you in maximizing your housing allowance while staying in compliance with IRS regulations.

Housing Allowances for 2012 Must Be Board Designated

In our work with churches and ministries, we find that this critically important IRS compliance issue is frequently overlooked. IRS requirements dictate that compensation considered to be a housing allowance must be designated by the church or ministry’s board of trustees, in writing, prior to the end of the

MARK HELLAND, CPS

PLAYING BY THE RULES: ACCOUNTING

How Churches, Ministries, and Ministers Can Make 2012 Less Taxing

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