Families Pass Wisdom to Future Generations

A friend of mine was very successful in life. He had a good job, a great family, a nice house and was active in his church. Shortly after his father passed, he was sad. Not really depressed, he was melancholy, and he reflected on his dad. He and his dad were close, and his dad passed on a lot of information to him.


One week, things got a bit rough for my friend. It was the first time he needed his dad’s wisdom, but his dad was not there. With some levity, he confided in me, “My dad taught me everything I know. Too bad he did not teach me everything he knew!” Having knowledge and knowing how to apply it are two different things.


Today’s reading is Proverbs 2:1-8. King Solomon was giving advice to his son. Effectively, he told his son to seek God’s Word with more vigor than he would seek mines for silver and other hidden treasures.


Solomon was doing his duty as a father; he was teaching his son in the ways of God. Solomon was passing wisdom to future generations!


That is a father’s great deed in the time of Solomon and in our time as well!


God has given parents a tremendous responsibility when he entrusts them with one of his souls. A key part of that responsibility is to teach their children God’s Word, and train them to be disciples. Parents should not just teach, but also be there to show their children how to apply God’s Word in real life situations.


Today, families are often geographically separated for a variety of reasons. It is not always possible for a child to rely on his parents for advice as it once was.


We in a congregation are part of a family, God’s family. We can, and should, be ready to help, or accept help from, members of God’s family.

 

We can share God’s Word, and life’s applications, with each other.

 

After all, families pass on wisdom to future generations.