Sunday, October 31, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 13:23-25, we learned about the importance of properly teaching and guiding our children. While the poor usually have to work hard just to survive, the Bible teaches that any of us can prosper through hard work. The "much food," as talked about by Solomon, does not have to be limited to only food. It can be anything of worth. Often, those who are lazy and will not work lose out because of their failure to be a hard charger. A person must be careful to not covet this world's goods and to not love money. However, a person must also be careful to avoid the opposite extreme too. Work so that you can eat. Work so that you can care for your family. I Timothy 5:8 says, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Work hard so that you can be a good example to those around you. But do not work just because you covet and wish to have the things of this world. I John 2:15-16 says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
When we have the right work ethic, we will set a good example for our children and others. Another important teaching is that of disciplining our children. It is proper for us to correct our kids when they have done wrong, but even with that, we must be careful. Ephesians 6:4 says, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Loving parents correct their children in love. A loving God corrects His children in love as well. Hebrews 12:6-7 says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" As parents, we must not be abusive. Living right, like working hard, is good for us and sets a good example for those around us. Solomon wrote that the righteous person would eat to the satisfying of his or her soul, suggesting that a person who lives right would be at peace and live a fairly comfortable life. By contrast, he said that the person who is wicked would be in constant want, with his or her needs never fully satisfied. When we live right, our needs will be met, plus our life will be a positive witness to those around us.
We are responsible before God for the teaching and guiding of our children. We should instruct them as needed and provide correction when necessary. As much as possible, we should provide our children with a safe haven for physical and spiritual growth. As much as possible, we should be the right kind of example and role model for them by working hard, by responsibly managing our life, and by living right before the Lord and before them. As you go through the coming week, take a few moments to get alone with the Lord and to ask Him how He would have you conduct your life. When this life is over, you will be glad you did.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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