Luther on the responsibility of providing a solid education of our children.

The quote below is from Martin Luther's explanation of the fourth commandment, "Honor your father and your mother," found in the Large Catechism. Here, he explains the importance of education for children.  In line 170, Luther explains that Christian parents ought to an avoid looking upon their children as if they are laborers or servants.

  "Here again the sad plight arises that no one sees or hears this truth. All live was though God gave us children for our pleasure or amusement and servants so that we could use them like a cow or an ass, only for work. Or they look as though we were only to gratify our lewd behavior with our subjects, ignoring them, as though we have no concern for what they learn or how they live." 

Instead, parents should do the following:  

172 For if we wish to have excellent and apt persons both for civil and ecclesiastical government, we must spare no diligence, time, or cost in teaching and educating our children, that they may serve God and the world, 173 and we must not think only how we may amass money and possessions for them. For God can indeed without us support and make them rich, as He daily does. But for this purpose He has given us children, and issued this command that we should train and govern them according to His will, else He would have no need of father and mother. Let every one know, therefore, that it is his duty, on peril of losing the divine favor, to bring up his children above all things in the fear and knowledge of God, and if they are talented, have them learn and study something, 174 that they may be employed for whatever need there is [to have them instructed and trained in a liberal education, that men may be able to have their aid in government and in whatever is necessary]."

Providing a solid education in the Christian faith and in reading, writing, arithmetic, etc. leads to the blessing of God upon families and the nation in which they dwell.  Martin Luther continues... 

175 If that were done, God would also richly bless us and give us grace to train men by whom land and people might be improved, and likewise well-educated citizens, chaste and domestic wives, who afterwards would rear godly children and servants. 

If we do not do as God desires, it is our fault when the following happens. 

176 Here consider now what deadly injury you are doing if you be negligent and fail on your part to bring up your child to usefulness and piety, and how you bring upon yourself all sin and wrath, thus earning hell by your own children, even though you be otherwise pious and holy. 177 And because this is disregarded, God so fearfully punishes the world that there is no discipline, government, or peace, of which we all complain, but do not see that it is our fault; for as we train them, we have spoiled and disobedient children and subjects. Let this be sufficient exhortation; for to draw this out at length belongs to another time.

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