Proverbs 8:10-11 — “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” (ESV)
Good parents always want to provide the best for their children. A balanced, loving family; a good home in a nice neighborhood; fine clothes and shoes; healthy and nourishing food; opportunities for developing good friendships; and so forth.
We learn early on that good parenting also involves selflessness, or denial of self, for the benefit of our children. It begins with sleep deprivation — sacrificing normal sleep in caring for the newborn. Later, it advances into other sacrifices such as: you’d like to go golfing, but instead you go to your four-year-old’s T-ball game. It’s not what’s best for you, it’s what’s best for your child. It ends up being the best for you, even if it doesn’t seem like it in the moment.
There are times, however, when parents are first in line over their children. At the beginning of an airplane trip, the flight attendant instructs that in case of a sudden drop in air pressure, oxygen masks will drop down. You are to put our mask on first, and then your child’s. You’re no good to your child if you’re not thinking straight or passed out.
Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us the priceless value of Jesus and his word (instruction, knowledge, wisdom) over anything else this world considers valuable (silver, gold, jewels). The forgiveness of sins and complete salvation found in the cross of our savior Jesus is our true treasure.
That word is the oxygen mask our faith needs to help make the right decisions for our children.
Want the best for your kids? Study the word, and from infancy, pass it on to your children in daily lessons in God’s word at home. If available, make use of a Bible-based Christian school. Give their spirits the opportunity to breathe the fresh air of a Christ-centered education over the polluted fumes of our nation’s current public schools.
Lord Jesus, give us faith to believe that nothing we may desire compares to your holy word. Amen.
Naumann serves St. John’s Lutheran Church and Valley Bible Academy in Clarkston.
