Thursday, November 18, 2010

Proverbs 23

1 comment:

Unknown said...

"Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; be wise enough to control yourself. Wealth can vanish in the wink of an eye. It can seem to grow wings and fly away like an eagle." v4-5

This is so true. It is also true that when you have less, and live more cautiously, your money seems to multiply and go so much farther than it should. I was talking with a good friend last night who was trying to wrap her head around what it must be like to live 100%debt free and asking me how we got here. Granted, we had help, we didn't get here alone, but we still did work very hard to get here and at times we have to work very hard to stay here. So many times when we have had what should be just enough to barely get by, we find it multiplied somehow and yet we look at others who work two jobs and their money does seem to fly away, and they continue to accumulate debt.

"Don't fail to punish children. I f you spank them, they won't die. If you spank them you will save them from death." v12-14

So one night at a friends house I picked up a book and skimmed through it a bit, that sounded really intelligent. Problem was it was completely contrary to this scripture. The basic premise was that punishment shames while positive behavior modification builds into a child, giving them the strength and desire to do better. To never do anything to "shame" your child, (spank, yell, reprimand them in a way that could make them feel small). Just be eternally patient and continue to set a positive example and ENCOURAGE your child to improvement.

The problem with this approach is that I see those kids who have the eternally patient parents who don't address SIN (because that's what it is) as allowing their children to continually shame THEMSELVES.

Don't fail to punish children. We are failing our children if we don't address the sin in their lives and seriously address it at that. I am not a happy go lucky spanker. Some of our kids have never been spanked, others have had their fair share, but I would not say it is our first MO. But it's certainly been a neccessary tool at times and to have this "never" mentality about spanking is clearly anti biblical.

"Don't drink too much wine or eat too much food. Those who drink and eat too much become poor. They sleep too much and end up wearing rags." v20-21

This one grabbed my attention big time. It's so true that my diet affects my energy level and my motivation level for how I dress. This verse is most likely referring to them wearing rags because they cant' AFFORD new clothes, but at the same time, it could be referring to how they just don't CARE about what they are wearing because they are too numb/dulled/spaced out to give a rip. I can be guilty of that, and I know it has a LOT to do with my diet. The types and amounts of food I eat. It's a HUGE discipline for me that sometimes I work very hard at, and sometimes I just let slide completely. It shows in my attitude and in my energy level.