Parenting by the Book
STUDY 418
Text: Proverbs 31
28 June 2009
Dear Parents,
A SUMMARY STATEMENT
Proverbs 31 concludes with an excellent summary of what works, and what doesn’t!
“Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.Proverbs 31:29-31
1. That which will not work out in the long run
These are things that many women still rely heavily upon! From time immemorial, the following things are discounted!
a) Reliance on “charm”
b) Reliance on “beauty”
2. That which will work out in the long run
These are things that the Lord Himself will honour and bless!
a) The fear of the Lord
b) Hard work
c) The fruit of labour
MORE THAN SUCCESS!
There is another uplifting thought that is found in the text above. That word is “excellence”. The phrase “But you excel them all” describes a person who has more than success!
1. It is not a question of wanting to “beat the competition”.
2. It is not also not a question of wanting to “outdo others”.
These thoughts are not in the heart and mind of the truly noble person! These goals are carnal and unworthy! The way to excel in life (and in the family) is simply to believe, cultivate and practise “the fear of the Lord (as) the beginning of knowledge”!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie