Points on Parenting

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;” (1 Thess 4:11).

This has been a favorite parenting verse of mine for many years. If you are raising kids right now and you look at the contents this verse teaches you will totally understand what I am saying. When was the last time you took your kids on a long trip and continually heard them arguing in the back seat and then telling on each other. Or maybe it has been one worrying so much about the others doing their chores that you are tired of the tattling and complaining. If we are honest, most of us adults could find room in our own life to apply this verse.

Let’s look at the three admonishments of this verse.

1. The first is to study or work at keeping our tongue behind the ivory bars that God placed it in. In other words, learn to be quiet since talking, tattling or complaining does nothing but stirs up strife.

2. Second, take care of your own affairs. In other words, sweep around your own door step. Most of us have more than we can handle in our own lane without spending time in the affairs of others.

3. Thirdly, we are to work with our own hands. This keeps my hands where they need to be, keeps my mind focused on something productive, and produces value in my life. It is hard to mettle, mouth off or spend your energy in the vain things of this world if you are working hard at the task God has given you.

So let us teach our children this verse by living it out in front of them each day!

Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus