Browse Bible Study Resources

Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 156

STUDY 156

Text: Proverbs 16
20 June 2004

Dear Parents,

CULTIVATING RIGHTEOUSNESS
It takes a lifetime to cultivate “righteousness”. It is never too early to make a start. We have a challenging application of righteousness in the following text.

Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.

Proverbs 16:8

THE MINDSET OF THE SECULAR WORLD
There are essentially two worlds that we need to be concerned about. There is the secular world. Then there is the spiritual world. As far as the former is concerned, wealth is virtually the ultimate goal. The acquisition of “vast revenues” would be for many, the dream of a lifetime. Many are unscrupulous if there is an opportunity to obtain great wealth. Some are not even opposed to injustice, if vast revenues can be secured. Thus we read of traitors who would sell their country for the sake of money. Many do not care about righteousness just as long as they become rich.

THE MINDSET OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD
The mindset of the spiritual world is quite different. The chief concern is never about money. The main concern is always about righteousness. The righteous person is quite content with little, if he can walk in his integrity. This approach to life is rare these days.

GUARDING OUR CHILDREN FROM BEING INFLUENCED BY THE WORLD
How are we bringing up our children? Let us be aware of the fact that we live in a very materialistic world. Our children are going to be influenced, one way or another, if we are not careful about how they are growing up.

Let us be reminded of what the Apostle John wrote concerning the ways of the world in his time. Pointedly, he wrote about how we must not love the world.

Do not love the world, or the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh,
The lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (a reference to wealth) –
is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;
But he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17

Let us teach our children how to love the Lord better. Let us teach them how to avoid the obvious allurements of the world! The things of the world will not last. Let us point them to the Lord and eternal spiritual values instead. If these values are in place, then our children would be well guarded indeed. It takes a lot to guide children well.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

Tags: