Proverbs 17:20-21 

²⁰One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble. ²¹To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

Happy Family

         Someone suggested, “If the mother is happy, everyone in the home is happy.” How’s that? Without light, there’s darkness. Darkness can mean sadness or gloom. So, if mothers are gloom, there’s darkness in the home. Filipinos say, Therefore, if mothers are happy, everyone’s happy in the home.

         Reflect on Proverbs 1:7-8. ⁷The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. ⁸Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

         Wise people believe that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. How do smart people practically begin to have wisdom? First, they listen to instruction of their father. But they particularly do not forsake the teaching of their mother. Confused people argue that they can forsake the instruction of their father but they would never forsake the teaching of their mother.

         Literally, it warned us not to forsake the teaching of our mother but it does not literally warned that we can forsake our father’s instruction. The point is, if we are smart, we won’t forsake instruction from our parents.

         We can readily observe those people acquainted with us personally. People who listen and respect their parents have better life experiences and social status than those who disrespect their parents. Why’s that?

         God chose our parents. He decided which parents are suitable for us. He chose our parents to impartially bless us when we respect our parents. Together with our children, may we internalize what Ephesians 6:1-3 says.

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

         The Lord promised enjoyable life on earth when we honor parents. It honors parents to obey them. The Lord declares that to obey this command and honor parents is right. We enjoy life on earth when we do what is right before God. Does enjoyable life means that we can succeed or prosper?

1.  Prosper

    ²⁰One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

         There are many corrupt officials who prospered, if corrupt heart does not prosper. How can we explain it? The next phrase clarifies the previous phrase. Perverse tongue falls into trouble. Corrupt heart is exposed when the mouth speaks of perverse, wayward, twisted or crooked ideas.

         Corrupt officials may pervert justice. They may turn lawful to unlawful. They may twist the law to favor their relatives. But still they prosper, right? The term “prosper” is readily understood as financial abundance, but it can be translated as good, pleasant, beneficial and precious welfare.

Corrupt Officials

         News about corrupt officials around the world had polarized opinions.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but can opinions of viewers be legally used to charge corrupt officials in court? Surely they may claim, “We just want to express our disappointment.” But for Christians, it is expected for us to pray that God brings justice to whoever deserves it, corrupt or not.

         May we internalize personally what it declares in Psalm 75:6-7, ⁶No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. ⁷It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

         Do you interpret this revelation that the Lord decides it if he wants us to prosper or not yet? Certainly, crooked mindsets cannot expect that the Lord would just let them do whatever they want. God is the righteous judge. He has already set the right time to bring justice to anyone who deserves it.

         But as citizens of heaven, can we desire and plan for prosperously good future? The word of the Lord reveals the secret of prosperity. Let us reflect on Isaiah 55:11-12, ¹¹My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. ¹²You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.

         Should we pray for financial prosperity? Our heavenly Father knows what’s best for us. He provides good things useful for stronger faith in him. May God prospers us to be generous and not just to indulgent expenditure. The Lord declares that to obey and honor parents is the path to prosperity.

         The Lord revealed that if we obey our parents, he impartially blesses us. We pray that the Lord inspires us also to obey and honor our parents.

2.  Parent

                                    ²¹To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

         Most parents cannot keep their gladness secretly when their children are successful in their career. Parents want the world to know how happy they could be to have smart children. But as Christian parents, we would rather desire and hope our children trust the Lord and serve him faithfully.

         Together, let us seriously meditate on what it declares in Mark 8:36:

³⁶What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

         Success is desirable. Nobody wants to fail. It is better to be rich than to be poor. It is better to be smart than to be foolish. It is far better to please the Lord because he can make anyone rich or poor, succeed or fail. Social status that God allows us to have, rich or poor, should motivate us desire to be closer to him. It’s the most joyful adventure to be closer to the Lord.

         Anyone can be envious of wealthy people. Reflect on Psalm 73:3-6,

            ³For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. ⁵They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. ⁶Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

         Do you wish to experience what others had experienced? We also want to travel around the world, to eat the best food. We want to drive the latest sports car or have latest gadget out there. May we seek first the Lord and his righteousness. Let’s meditate on Psalm 73:16-20, ¹⁶When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply ¹⁷till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. ¹⁸Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. ¹⁹How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! ²⁰They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

         Believe it or not, parents grieve for godless and foolish children. But, what can parents do so that children will be smart and not become fools? Our heavenly Father can easily make simple person smart. How? We pray that our children will read and internalize the word of God. In Psalm 19:7, it says, ⁷The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

         When we study and obey the word of God, will it help us smart and not remain simple? A smart application of what we learned from the word of God is to faithfully serve him. We are smart to believe that whatever God declares will certainly happen. We obey and respect parents and the Lord blessed us practically and spiritually. May we enjoy reading God’s word.

         And, may the Lord inspires us to obey and honor our parents always.

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