TRAIN A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO

---

Today’s Reading:

Proverb 22: 1-9 (6)

“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it”

(v.6 AKJV).

---

To Train is to bring or build-up; instruct and discipline; cause to grow in the desired manner. ‘Child’ refers to a very young person, up to about sixteen years old, who knows very little. It is a true saying that “it is easier to build up a child than to mend or repair an adult”.

Naturally, a child learns many valuable lessons in life, makes and corrects mistakes, falls into, and gets out of pits, and learns to avoid them all. We concentrate on training a child in his attitude towards riches and wealth, as contained in today’s reading. “Riches” means abundant possession, wealth, or blessings. Interestingly, God’s attitude to riches is positive. He loves to give his children riches (Deut. 28:1-2); His blessings make him rich (Prov. 10:22). This is evident from the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 12; 13:2; 26:12-14; 30:43). Paul says God gives us all things richly, to enjoy (1 Tim 6:17). Apostle John, in 3John verse 2, says he wishes that, above all things, beloved, Christians may proper.

Some of the reasons God blesses include, that one would bless (share) others with the riches; that it will be used to do the kingdom’s work (Zech. 1: 16-17) - such as building altars, temples and worship houses or centers, like the children of Israel, did and is done today; and offering sacrifices. God also gives us riches so He would be glorified in our lives and we can then testify to the world that He is indeed the Jehovah Jireh. He gives us riches so that we would not be poor, ruled over, borrow, and become a servant of the lender (v.7). He prefers that we are so blessed that we lend to many nations and be the head and not the tail (Deut. 28:12-43).

In the world today, there are other sources of riches apart from God which includes: fraudulent means (duping, robbery, 419); cults; fetish (satanic). These result in ill-gotten wealth, which God is displeased with, especially as they cause sorrow, losses, even death. It is the blessing of God that makes rich and does not add sorrow to it (Prov. 10:22).

The godly attitude to riches that a child should be trained on should be based on – a) seeking first the kingdom of God, and its righteousness, then, all things will be added (Matt. 6:33); b) God wants to supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19); c) godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:7); d) not being high-minded or trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God (1 Tim 6:17); e) not setting one’s eyes on riches, which can make wings and fly away (Prov. 23:5); f) hard work and eating from one’s labour is simply the gift of God (Eccl. 6:2), and g) we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing from it (1 Tim 6:7).

When a Child is trained this way, when he is old, he will not depart from it. The key condition for obtaining godly riches is total obedience to God (Job 36:11).

CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI

---

Prayer:

1. Father let the children be taught of you, especially godly attitude to riches, in Jesus’ name.

2. Father give understanding to children as they learn this valuable attitude, in Jesus’ name.

3. Lord, give wisdom to teachers and parents in training the children aright, in Jesus’ name.

4. I pray that everyone will be delivered from the spirit of mammon, in Jesus’ name.