Am I really raising my children correctly?

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Am I teaching Dylan, Yeri, and Yeun, the children that God has blessed me with, the kind of lessons that they will not depart from even when they grow old? Am I truly teaching my three children the right path they should walk on?

Whenever I have meditated on Proverbs 22:6, I have exhorted not only myself but also the parents in our church to teach our children three essential things: Right Value, Clear Purpose, and Eternal View of Life. However, as I meditate on Proverbs 22:6 again today, I feel I have been taught that there are five things I must teach my children.

The first lesson is that honor is better than great wealth.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” The Bible teaches us to choose honor and favor over wealth, silver, and gold. This reminds me of Noah. He found favor (grace) in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). Noah was “a just man, perfect in his generations” and walked with God (Genesis 6:9). I want Dylan, Yeri, and Yeun to receive God’s favor, just like Noah did. Therefore, I pray that they will have a good name—one that is known and recognized by God.

The second lesson is that the Lord has created both the rich and the poor.

Proverbs 22:2 states, “The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.” Whether poor or rich, we all come into this world naked and will leave in the same way. We come with nothing and leave with nothing. Life can be lived in abundance or in poverty. The important thing is not abundance or poverty but learning the secret of contentment (Philippians 4:11). In other words, I pray that Dylan, Yeri, and Yeun will live in a world where they will find satisfaction in the Lord alone, whether rich or poor.

The third lesson is that the wise person hides when disaster comes.

Proverbs 22:3 says, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished.” The foolish, who cannot distinguish between good and evil, walk into danger and suffer harm. How foolish is this behavior? I want to raise my children to know when to hide and when to escape from danger. I want them to be like David, who knew how to hide from Saul, even in a cave. I do not want to raise foolish children who harm themselves and bring their lives to the brink of danger.

The fourth lesson is that humility and the fear of the Lord bring blessings of wealth, honor, and life.

Proverbs 22:4 says, “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.” Humility is a key Christian virtue. I want to be humble before both God and others. In the same way, I want Dylan, Yeri, and Yeun to see the humility of Jesus in me. I also seek the wisdom of God, for those who possess it fear the Lord. And those who fear the Lord hate evil. I pray that God grants Dylan, Yeri, and Yeun wisdom, so that they may fear the Lord and live a life that avoids evil.

Finally, the fifth lesson is that those who guard their souls stay away from thorns and snares.

Proverbs 22:5 says, “Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards his soul will be far from them.” A righteous God punishes the wicked, and that punishment is thorns and snares. I do not want Dylan, Yeri, and Yeun to walk a path filled with thorns and snares. To prevent this, I want to raise them to be people who know how to guard their souls. I desire for them to be humble and to fear the Lord, so that they will turn away from the path of the wicked and walk in the way that God has intended for them. I pray that God will grant them humility and wisdom.

Through my reflection on today’s passage, I realize that I have not taught Dylan, Yeri, and Yeun the right path in a comprehensive and balanced way. When they grow old, I will no longer be in this world, but before I die, I must diligently teach them the way they should walk. Honor over wealth, the Lord over poverty or riches, wisdom over foolishness, humility and the fear of God over pride and evil, and guarding their souls over walking the path of the wicked. I pray in the name of Jesus that they will never depart from these paths, even when they grow old.