Wisdom regarding family

Wisdom needed within family

Q: What is something that a family needs to be healthy and balanced?

wisdom

Q: Where do you think we can get this type of wisdom?

Things to consider

Life is short

Our eternal existence is greatly impacted, influenced by how we live our life between the dashes

We should not waste time

eph5:15-17 “15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

So, it is an imperative that we not waste our time with rash or foolish decisions that can

Risk, or jeopardize our very salvation

Can make our short life unbearable now and we miss out on the joy’s of this life that God has to offer to us.

Value is especially seen in the family relationships

Pro11:29 “29 He who troubles his own house will inherit wind, And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.”

Oh there you see the negative side of it.

Life is too short, it is but a vapor, a mist (Jm4:14), so don’t handle family by “trial and error.” go by true godly wisdom

Seek advise from godly counsel from the Wisdom of God

Pro19:20 “20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.”

Many seek so-called counsel from the world, from the so-called experts. Then later they change their mind afterwards and there is hurt or damage already done.

Proverbs the book of wisdom is available to us all as you know, we have been studying it for sometime now. God has preserved it for us so we can learn from it and apply it.

Providing for a family

Q: Do you think this is for the necessities of life (shelter, clothing, food)?

Q: What about good things, finer things for your kids, grandkids (gifts, college, inheritance, etc.,)?

Now, these things are not bad. They have merit to them, but not eternally, but temporal.

Scripture says to store up gifts in heaven where moth and rust destroy (see Mt6:19-21); then where should our emphasis be?

Instill the fear of the Lord (PRO15:16; have everyone look there)

Pro15:16 “16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it.”

More than the things you can buy, is instilling the fear of the Lord. And only way you can do that is to present, to set the example too.

we know the fear of the Lord:

Pro1:7 “7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

It means prolongs life (PRO10:27; have everyone turn)

pro10:27 “27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.”

It is the key to avoiding sin (Pro16:6; have everyone turn)

Pro16:6 “6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.”

And, and for sure not finally, for you can find more; it is the key to true wealth (Pro22:4; have everyone turn)

Pro22:4 “4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.”

Think of this, as far as provision for your family, do you think that a very important one, one with eternal consequences is wisdom?

Give them love (Pro15:17)

pro15:17 “17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.”

Providing a place, an environment where love is primary over possessions. - - - - I think we can look at many of the broken homes and rebellious children come from homes that love was not primary.

Providing a peaceful family life (PRO17:1)

pro17:1 “1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.”

Peace, tranquility, some peaceful quietness, material things are not so important.

What value are things if they bring fighting over them?

Wisdom from wise parents, grandparents that realize and display the need of spiritual provision over material things.

Parents who are wise know what is truly needed and will provide that to the family.

Now, this may mean at times in reducing the material things. Or may I say less important things.

If we fully trust God and the wisdom He provides and it is applied. Then we will not be without the material things that we need, for our needs are met and our wants are not so much. For they are no longer in the need category.

Wisdom in a family ensures provision

Provision to be righteous (Pro20:7)

Pro20:7 “7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him.”

Q: Why are the sons blessed after him?

Q: How can a man walk in righteousness, or be righteous?

Be righteous by seeking first things first.

Mt6:33 “33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

When we seek God first, God will watch out for our needs are providentially met.

Not putting God first can lead to the children not getting the blessings that are available to them through wise parent. They can miss out on God’s providential help, this for both the parents and the children.

Seek wisdom and knowledge vs. wealth. (Pro24:3-4)

pro24:3-4 “3 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.”

Wisdom is also being a learner

Col2:2-3 “2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

All hidden treasures are found in Christ the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

So, as parents, grandparents the wisest thing we can do as a family is to pass along wisdom. Wisdom that can lead them to be an obedient servant of God.

Raising Children

Most, if not all of you know, how challenging it can be, or was to raise children. To raise children in a godly home with godly principles. From the Proverbs we can learn much wisdom, now to pass on to children for their children.

Consider the right use of corporal punishment (Pro13:24)

pro13:24 “24 He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.”

Proper discipline has proper objectives

To remove foolishness (Pro22:15)

Pro22:15 “15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.”

To save the soul (Pro23:13-14)

pro23:13-14 “13 Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. 14 You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol.”

To impart wisdom to avoid shame (Pro29:15)

Pro29:15 “15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.”

Discipline has its rewards (Pro29:17)

Pro29:17 “17 Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.”

Proper application must be done (Pro19:18)

Pro19:18 “18 Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.”

Now if we are careful, we need to apply before situation gets out of hand and there is no hope

do not strike in anger

There is a difference between spanking and child abuse (even though the world thinks everything is child abuse).

It must be done in love, with love (Eph6:4)

Eph6:4 “4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Just a little more wisdom

Pro22:6 “6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

So, when you truly look at this verse it gives the responsibility to properly raise up a child, not just raise, but raise up in the way he should go.

when that is done, the child will have everything to be a Christian.

Some will say if the child as an adult is not a faithful Christian it must be the parents fault.

That is not true, that would imply “environmental predestination” and well, that is not right is it. Do you know children raised in bad circumstances or non-Christian home that came to the Lord and are faithful?

Train up a child in the way to go, means his way, don’t make him be who you want him to be, but who he grows to be. You should not force a child to be something he is not.

Remember the Proverbs are spiritual advise, they are not law and should not be taken as such. Just some good godly direction, suggestions.

In concluding this short study today what are you taking from it, anything that you can impart, pass on to your adult children, or help in teaching your grandchildren?