There is a reason why “quality time” is listed by researchers as one of the ways that many people feel loved. Indeed, someone’s precious, valuable time is a gift. This is particularly true for the children in our lives. More than many things that we can offer and provide for them, our children need our time. As we spend time with them, we are showing them how valuable and loved each one of them is to us. The question we all must answer today is, are we giving our loved ones, especially the children in our lives, the time that they desperately need?
Proverbs 22 encourages us to spend time with the children in our lives, especially to spend time teaching them how to live in a way that honors Christ. In this passage of Scripture, the Psalmist writes, "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it" (verse 6). The command in this passage of Scripture is straightforward. It instructs us to lead our children on a path that honors God. How do we do this? We do this by spending time with them. This time includes teaching them, listening to them, modeling for them what it looks like to follow Christ, and making memories with them. These things will help guide the children in our lives so that they know Christ and understand what it looks like to follow Him.
When it comes to the children in your life, are you spending quality time with them, teaching them, hearing about their lives, guiding them, and modeling for them a lifestyle that honors Christ? Our schedules fill up so quickly, and our to-do lists are often so long that we neglect to carve out extra time to spend with the children in our lives, uninterrupted and undistracted. Amidst these full schedules and to-do lists, we must prioritize quality time with the children in our lives while they are young, teaching them above all else to love and follow Jesus with everything in us.
Set aside thirty minutes today to spend with the children in your life. Let this time be uninterrupted and distraction-free so that you are completely focused on them. These 30 minutes may seem small, but your time will speak volumes to the children God has placed in your life.
1Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
2 The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.
3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4 True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
6 Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
7 Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.
9 Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.
10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.
11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
12 The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”
14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
17 Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.
18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.
19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the Lord.
20 I have written thirty sayings for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.
21 In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.
23 For the Lord is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24 Don’t befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,
25 or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.
26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for someone else.
27 If you can’t pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from under you.
28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.
29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.
