THE COSTS OF
FAMILY DISINTEGRATION

The ways of God are always right, even if this results in pain, hardship, suffering, and trials.  Paul tells us that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).  On the other hand, the ways of the world lead to death and destruction.  We point out to a society that has gone mad that their ways are self-destructive and lead to ruin in this life and eternal ruin in the life to come.  We point out that fornication, adultery, sodomy, and related immoral behavior have consequences in the present and the future.  Sometimes those in the world ridicule us for these convictions, but we say nothing less than what our Lord has already said.

A news report tells of four groups that advocate government action to strengthen American marriages.  These groups, part of a national “marriage movement,” see the disintegration that divorce and out-of-wedlock childbearing brings to this nation.  They have issued the results of an extensive study on this subject and conclude that these social problems cost the federal government $112 billion a year! 

David Blankenhort, president of the Institute for American Values, stated, “The study documents for the first time that divorce and unwed childbearing . . . are costing taxpayers a ton of money.”  The four groups mentioned above propose a program that would bolster marriages; in this way, some of the divorce could be eliminated and poverty diminished.  On the other hand, Tim Smeeding, a professor of economics at Syracuse University, says that the creation of better jobs is the answer: “I have nothing against marriage—relationship building is great.  But alone it’s not going to do the job.  A full-employment economy would probably be the best thing—decent, stable jobs.”  Blankenhort replies, “Maybe we should have been more ecumenical.  Let’s try things out. . . . Nobody knows exactly the strategies which are going to work.”

As I read over the proposed solutions to this massive social problem, I am reminded of a sociology course I took many years ago.  We were overwhelmed by a study of the multifaceted social problems of today—drunkenness, poverty, child-abuse, drugs, crime, abortion, disease, and many others.  Then there was a discussion of what educators, government officials, and social workers are doing to solve the problems.  The very underlying causes of the problems could not be discussed, since we can’t bring the Bible into such issues.  Yet humanistic solutions don’t get to the root problem—that of sin!

Children are raised in humanistic and sinful homes.  They are raised in this worldly atmosphere—with worldly education, carnal music, perverse television and movies, and a whole society that “lies in the power of the evil one”—Satan (1 John 5:19).  These young people enter marriage and their problems ensue.  When two sinners get married, they attempt to solve their problems in a sinful way, according to worldly standards.  God is not the focus of their relationship, the Bible is not the foundation of their decision-making, and the Spirit of God is not their resident Helper.  Inevitably, they will encounter conflicts—and many of these couples will choose to go their own way.  Divorce is rampant, child delinquency is the norm, divided and blended families are common.  A smaller percentage of children grow up in a family composed of their natural father and mother, along with brothers and sisters.  In fact, this is becoming increasingly rare.

The result?  “Family fragmentation” costs society some $112,000,000,000 a year!  This is money that is either lost or money that must be spent by the government for Medicaid, the justice system, food stamps, child welfare, housing assistance, and many other expenses.  When will people wake up to reality?  When will they see the disastrous results that come from sins of all kinds: drunkenness, smoking, fornication, sodomy, worldly music, humanistic education, and much more!  Paul said it well: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Gal. 6:7-8).

Richard Hollerman