The Wise Man and the Fool - Proverbs 10
Can some of you remember back to your childhood days, watching a black & white TV show called Romper Room? Each day the teacher would present a situation and the kids would decide how the good "Do Bee" would handle it compared to how the "Don't Bee."One of my favorite things to do lately is sit down with my little one and go through the latest "Highlights" magazine with her, working out the puzzles, reading stories about science, animals and adventure. They also have a series called "Goofus and Gallant" where Goofus is always getting into trouble, but Gallant always makes the right choices.
I think Solomon had the first of these children's teaching tools called "The Wise Man and the Fool." Solomon's motive was the same as the creator of Do Bee and Gallant - to encourage kids to get used to making wise choices that would benefit them in their future. The book of Proverbs is full of them and chapter 10 is no exception:
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.I guess what's hitting me most about today's chapter is that we really need to spend time with our children, teaching them to make wise choices, using our lives as examples (both good and bad). The truth is, we already are whether we realize it or not. I love what precious time I have with my children. I try to maximize both fun and learning whenever we're together. I look for teaching moments at every turn. I know how fast they grow up, so I appreciate any opportunity to sit and talk because as they get older, these are farther and fewer between.
4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
A guest speaker at my church yesterday gave a staggering statistic. He said of the boomer generation, about 63% are expected to come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. But, only 35% of the buster generation and only about 4% of the millenial generation is expeted to. Do you see a downward spiral?
One way to help reverse this is for the Solomons among us to reach our kids. We can make a real difference in our children's lives (or in the lives of other kids in our coommunities and churches) by doing what Solomon is doing: spending time and teaching kids. Solomon chose to write his thoughts down. Perhaps you are a gifted writer - how can you make this available to your kids or those in your church? Perhaps you teach - volunteer at church or VBS or camp. Perhaps you are gifted in sports or music - use those gifts to reach kids, then look for teaching moments. Perhaps it's as simple as encouraging them to start their own dBrag or Bible Study at school.
Don't be a "Don't Bee" and plug along in live ignoring the opportunities God is giving you to reach a younger generation. Ask God for some inspiration and make a difference.
peace,
e
