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The Proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child makes a father rejoice,
but a foolish child is a grief to his mother.
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from mortal danger.
We live in a day where it is fairly common to move in with the parents. The interesting thing is that this is a fairly new thing. It used to be that there were several generations living together under one roof. But that has not been the case for the last several generations. However, with the down-turn of the economy and the lack of available jobs there have been many kids who have moved back into their parents’ homes. I know it has been a thought in my mind from time to time. However, the child once again becomes the responsibility of the parents. The burden is put back on the parents’ shoulders and taken off the child’s.
While there may be some lessons to be learned for those who have found themselves in that situation, that’s not what this proverb is talking about. It’s actually not talking about moving back home specifically. However, what it is talking about is the price for foolishness. The cost for being foolish could very well be the grief that we once again bring our mothers and fathers as they bear the responsibility of caring for us.
I know some whose foolishness has been so extreme that there was no choice left but to move home with the parents. If they didn’t move home they’d be out on the streets. Think of the pain those parents must feel. It must be such a burden to bear. Instead of being able to rejoice in their children’s lives, showing pictures of grandchildren and dogs – the parents are in a situation where they have to explain why their kid is back home. It is not a proud moment for the parent. Of course they love their children and want to take care of them and do everything they can to help them get back on their feet, but it’s definitely a tough situation to be in.
So, this becomes a motivation for us to seek wisdom. We don’t want to be a burden to our parents who have already provided so much for us. We want to bring them joy and pride.
As for the second proverb, the word righteousness here means honesty. It’s pretty clear. If what you have was gotten by wickedness, there is no profit in it. It may seem like there could be profit because you got it for free, but there is no profit. Instead, honesty is what leads to life. The idea of righteousness and honesty are much bigger than simply truth-telling. They involve doing the right things when no one is watching. Just because no one would ever know, doesn’t make it ok.
Righteousness contains within it the idea of right-living. When you are righteous, it is because you are living rightly. Living that kind of life will keep you from situations where you will unnecessarily put you life in risk. Wisdom guides us where we should go and teaches us how to live. Righteousness is living out wisdom.
The righteous ones are the ones who make their parents proud. Even if they have to live at home because they can’t get a job.
