Proverbs 15:5-6 

⁵A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. ⁶The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

Study Hard

Most parents would advise their children to study hard. A fictional story was told based on true situation. Their parents advised him, “Study hard! Study hard!” A young man pretended to be listening but his school grades revealed otherwise. “You are failing in mathematics,” his mother observed. “I am not good in math. I hated math,” he answered angrily. He did not hide is aversion toward math.

He quit school because he did not like studying about math. He ventured in small time business. He borrowed money from friends and relatives. He’s good in selling his products but after few months of hard work, he incurred more debts. He failed to pay his debts. He applied and approved for a loan from a bank using their family property as collateral. Again, he failed in his new business venture, and their family property was foreclosed. “What was wrong?” he pondered upon.

He hated math. He hated learning but ventured in business. He had no idea that it requires knowledge of mathematics to excel in business matters. No wonder he failed in his business. Hatred of mathematics invites bankruptcy.

High profile professionals who earned much money are not exempted from bankruptcy. Accordingly, “prudence” is an applied economic principle that would not refuse mathematics. A prudent person calculates that diligent learning habit has better returns in the long run. Money and mathematics are Siamese twins.

How do you personally interpret and apply what it says in Proverbs 4:7?

⁷ Wisdom is supreme; though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Many young people quit schooling and join the workforce because they wanted to earn money. Some of them realize that better education could land them in better position, and they return to school to get better education.

Parents who went through similar predicament, may ponder if only they’re serious in their studies, they could have been employed in a job that may provide better compensation. And their difficult experiences could be their reason so that they urge their children to study hard. Someone suggests, “Study smart.”

So, if you work hard but the result is below standard, who would like to buy that? The business world prefers excellence not mediocrity. To study hard and smart is better approach. Focus on the course you can excel. Love of learning starts at home. Can parents correct their children’s behavior toward learning?

1.  Correct

⁵A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

How do you know if children have wisdom or foolishness? Discipline them.

Smart children listen attentively and change their ways when parents correct them. Foolish children spurn, despise and disregard discipline. It’s reliable truth. This is biblical. Children may reject or listen to discipline, but to correct, guide and train children in the instruction of the Lord is godly mandate for parents.

Reflect on what it says in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, ⁴Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

No doubt, these commands were originally given to the Israelites. And to guides us behave properly as children of God, we are given the Holy Spirit. He enables us to discern which part of the Scripture is applicable for Christians and part of the Scripture that are particularly exclusive to the Israelites. We may not easily explain it but to always practice godly righteousness is favorable.

Online Video

The was a short video online about a person who just spontaneously did what he thought was right thing to do. In the video, a man was standing by the sidewalk observing an open manhole in the middle of the street. As motorists passed by, they evaded and avoided the open manhole. When the man saw that there were no more vehicles passing by, he went and covered the manhole.

A split of seconds later, a street billboard suddenly fell and crushed just exactly at the place where the man was standing previously. If the man did not move and did not step forward to cover the open manhole, he could have been crashed to death by the street billboard. Was it coincidence? What do you think?

There are many tragic events that cannot be easily explain scientifically. And we believe that God pays attention to every smallest detail in our life and all things he is concerned with. How do you like what God declares in Isaiah 46:4?

⁴Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. 

That is amazing promise of God. I am now considered senior citizen, and the Lord kept on assuring me of his provision so that I won’t worry of what may happen in the future. How about you? May God give you prudence and wisdom so that your home will contain all kinds of great treasures overflowingly. Amen!

2.  Contain

⁶The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

How does treasure affect your life on earth normally? Of course, material wealth makes life easier and free from stress and worry. If you’ve more money, you can buy anything that you can afford. If you have more money, you won’t be bothered about bills and other expenditures, and you can focus on other things.

How do you explain what it says in Ecclesiastes 10:19? ¹⁹A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.

Fiction

There’s a fictional story about a young man who was pressured whenever his father reminded him what to do: “Switch off the light if you’re not using it. Switch off the TV, if you’re not watching. Turn off the faucet, if you’re not using it. Close the door. Close the fridge. Wash the cup you used. Clean your mess.”

He said to himself, “If I got a job, I will leave this home.” Finally, he’s got a call and went for interview. As he parked his car, he saw that the faucet near the parking lot was dripping. He went and tightly closed the faucet. As he entered the building, he saw the planter’s box fall over at the door, so he fixed the planter’s box as it should. There’s a note on the door that says, “Always close the door.” So, he pushed and made sure that the door closed after he entered the building.

When his name was called, he entered the room and greeted the manager. The manager looked and asked him, “When can you start?” He was confused and said, “Sir, I’m not yet interviewed?” The manager told him, “Of all applicants who came for interview, you’re the only one who closed the running water, fixed the planter’s box and closed the door when you came in. Doing what is right when no one is watching, that is what this company requires for employees.”

The man was so happy; he went home and hugged his father.

Ephesians 6:1-2 says, ¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise ³so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

What is biblical way for children to honor and respect their parents? Obey! Obedience to parents is obedience to God’s command for children to honor and respect their parents. Of course, we only can obey godly commands by godly effort. And to obey his commands properly, we should rely upon the Holy Spirit.

Children may tell their parent: “I respect you father; I respect you mother!” Yet, God never commanded that. God commanded children to obey their parents as practical proof of respect and honor for parents. And God promised that it may go well with the person who honors his parents. Enjoyment of life on earth that God promised is not just for a short period of time but for extended time.

Again, it’s by faith that we believe and obey godly commands by his grace.

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