Part 4

Solomon is writing about how to pursue happiness and success- especially in our families

How do we get there?

1. We must emphasize God’s blessings v. 22
   1. We should believe in God’s blessings
      1. v. 25 HE gives an everlasting foundation
      2. v. 27 He prolongs days
      3. v. 28. He gives gladness
      4. V. 29 His way gives strength
      5. 28:20 a faithful man shall abound with blessings
      6. Psalm 107:38
      7. Genesis 12:2; 13:2; 24:35
   2. We should desire God’s blessings
      1. Sometimes they are material/physical
         1. Deuteronomy 8:17-18
         2. We work for these (and save and pray)
         3. We give thanks for these
      2. Sometimes they are spiritual
         1. Love joy and peace
         2. Contentment
         3. Favor
      3. Sometimes they are relational
         1. A good friend
         2. A good spouse
            1. He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor from the Lord
         3. Children
            1. Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward
         4. In-laws
            1. A good spouse for your children
            2. A family connection that results
               1. Adams, Mundays, Pisneys, and soon to be Gentiles
               2. Bethlie’s parents to me and my parents to her

Questions:

1. How do we balance the idea of God’s blessings and the issue of “bad things” that happen?
2. How do we teach this to our children?
3. Is it ok to think of God’s blessings as material? How do we balance this with the idea that the best ones are not?

In part 3 of this series we see that Solomon is writing about how to pursue happiness and success specifically in our families.

Question: How do we get there?

1. We must emphasize diligence (Proverbs 10:4-5; 16)
   1. The word
      1. Sharp pointed
      2. Trench - in the sense of dug
         1. A massive amount of difficult work
         2. Time consuming
         3. Physically exhausting
      3. Gold - int he sense of mined
      4. Figuratively - determination, eagerness
   2. Gain requires forethought - diligently
      1. A harvest is an involved process
      2. Preparing the soil
      3. Preparing the seed
      4. Planting the seed
      5. Caring for the field
      6. Waiting for the full growth
      7. Gathering it for the days ahead
   3. Gain requires a process of time and in time
      1. We want our children to develop habvits that lead to success
         1. It is imperative that we ahve goals for our children
         2. Some are spiritual - this requries DILIGENCE
            1. Know God and His Word
            2. Love God and His Word
            3. Fear God
            4. Worship God
            5. Walk with God
            6. Give financially
         3. Some are relational - this requires DILIGENCE
            1. We want you to be sweet
            2. We want you to be kind
            3. We want you to be thankful
            4. We want you to be polite
         4. Some are practicle - this requires DILIGENCE
            1. We want you to learn discipline
            2. We want you learn skills
            3. We want you to learn to handle finances
      2. We repeat our desires and our demands - this requires DILIGENCE too. Repeitition is required.
      3. We model DILIGENCE
   4. Gain requres work (vs.16)
   5. 4:23 Keep your heart with all DILIGENCE
   6. 11:27 he that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
   7. 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute
   8. 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting, but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
   9. 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
   10. 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of everyone that is hasty only to want.

Happy Family Life: Christian Parenting Tips and Bible Insights!

Proverbs 10 continued...

Practically, what does it take to have a happy life and a happy family?

1) It takes righteousness v2-3; 6-7; 11; 16;19-21; 24-25; 28; 30-32

1. 1. Righteousness in our treasures v.2
   2. Righteousness in our dealing with people v. 11-12
   3. Righteousness in our work v. 16
   4. Righteousness in our words v. 19-22
   5. How do you incorporate righteousness in your life?
      1. What is right?
      2. What does the Bible say?
      3. What would be the right response?
      4. What would be the right step to take?
      5. What would be the right way to handle this?