How Should We Serve Our Parents? (Proverbs 23:22-25)

How Should We Serve Our Parents? (Proverbs 23:22-25)

 

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23 Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.

24 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.

25 May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!

 

 

1. one day, God sent an angel to Earth and told the angel to bring back the most beautiful thing it could find. The first thing the angel saw was a lovely rose. Thinking it was beautiful, the angel picked the rose and headed back to Heaven. But then the angel passed a smiling baby and thought it was as wonderful as the rose.

 

Just as the angel was returning to Heaven with the rose and the smiling baby, it discovered a different but amazing kind of beauty: the love of a mother. This was certainly a beautiful thing, so the angel took the love of a mother with it along with the rose and the baby.

 

However, on the way back to Heaven, the angel found that the rose had withered and the baby’s smile had faded. The only thing that remained unchanged was the mother’s love.

 

There is nothing more beautiful than the unending love of a mother. All of us are here today because we were able to grow under the love and care of our parents. The Bible commands us to serve our parents with devotion; it is not a suggestion or a choice.

 

2. However, the Bible tells us that as the End of Times nears, not only will people distance themselves from God, but they will also turn away from their own parents. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 says, “1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy”

 

3. It is said that a young dove will always sit three branches below its mother. It will never sit on a branch higher than its mother. There is an old phrase ( ban-po-ji-hyo :反哺之孝) than can be translated to mean, “The young crow will grow and feed its mother.”

 

Even wild crows take care of their parents once they are old. Even wild crows show their parents respect and devotion. Yet humans seem to be incapable of doing the same.

 

4. It is true that today’s society makes it difficult for one to fully serve and fulfill their filial duties as sons and daughters. We are constantly working to make ends meet, and taking care of our own children is overwhelming. Society is becoming increasingly materialistic, placing wealth and belonging before our own families.

 

5. Yet we must still serve and respect our mothers and fathers. It is our duty and a command from God. But how should we serve our parents? Take a look at the scripture to find the answers.

 

 

A) Listen and Obey

 

1. Verse 22 tells us, “Listen to your father, who gave you life.” This verse is telling us that we should listen and obey. First you need to listen to your mother and father. Listening is half the job. Listen well, and you’re already fulfilling half of your filial duties.

 

But as Deuteronomy 28 tells us, to be true sons and daughters, we must listen intently and then obey.

 

2. If we look at the Bible, all of the most devoted sons and daughters were those who obeyed. Isaac obeyed Abraham until Abraham died. Joseph never disobeyed his father, despite the hatred he received from his brothers. Most importantly, our Savior Jesus obeyed his Father, our God, and died on the cross to save the world from its sins.

 

Christianity is a religion of filial duty. Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20 both tell us, “Obey your parents.”

 

B) Do Not Despise

 

1. The second half of verse 22 tells us, “…do not despise your mother when she is old.” It is telling us that we should not despise, hold contempt towards, or scorn our parents. Do not look down on them because they may not have received as high an education as yours; because they have not kept up with modern trends; or because they seem incompetent to you.

 

It is normal that our parents have trouble keeping up with today’s fast-paced and ever-changing society. It is normal that they have a harder time using today’s high-tech gadgets. They did not grow up in this information age like you.

 

They may not have learned as much, they may seem feeble, and they may not be as refined as the society you are used to, but they deserve more respect than we could ever give them. They gave us life and raised us to be who we are today.

 

They worked constantly and they gave up their own comforts so their children could live better lives. Do not forget that your parents worked and prayed for you and your future. The Bible tells us to honor our parents because we did not make it here on our own.

 

2. “Respect” in Hebrew is “kabad.” “Kabad” can be translated to mean “heavy” or “burden” referring to a heart that does not scorn or overlook; a heart that honors. The foremost way to honor our elders is to accept who they are, acknowledge their words, and recognize their position.

 

When our parents say something, we cannot respond with, “What do you know?”, “Like you would understand,” or “Quit nagging!” Do not respond with condescension and disrespect. Even if you disagree, simply acknowledge their view by replying, “I understand your point. I’ll think about it.”  

 

If problems arise, talk to your parents. Discuss your situation with them. And do this often. They have been through hardships and overcame them. Our elders have wisdom we do not.

 

The more you recognize and acknowledge your parents, the better your results in life. If you don’t honor your parents, who will?

 

3. It is important to honor your parents while you still can. Some of you may be thinking, “I’m not at a great place in my life right now. I’ll do everything I can for them when I’m better off.” But time will not wait. You never know when it will be too late. Serve them and honor them while you still can.

 

4. Look at how far technology has come. The phone in your hands can do so much more than just a phone call. Use it to contact your parents, be it a text message, email, or a good old-fashioned phone call.

 

On the other hand, parents should not depend solely on their children. Doing so will only burden them. There is no need to pressure them or get upset if they change over time.

 

Our children change from when they learn to eat, sleep, crawl, stand, and walk. They change in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, and college. They change when they get married. They may change for the better but that may not always be the case. But if you, as parents, continue to trust in God, revere Him, and pray to Him, you will be blessed through your children.

 

C) Bring Them Joy

 

1. Long ago, a county magistrate was newly appointed. In the county, there was a young man known for being a great devoted son. About a century ago, when new magistrates were appointed, devoted sons were honored invited to receive awards. One day the son received an invitation from the magistrate.

 

“Are you the famous son who is so devoted to honoring his parents?” the magistrate asked.

 

"Yes, that is what people say of me,” the son replied.

 

To that the magistrate questioned, “How well off are your parents?” “Sir, my mother passed away 15 years ago. My father lives alone. My wife and I do all we can so he will not be lonely.”

 

Hearing this, the magistrate became furious and ordered the son be beaten until he is barely alive.

 

“How has such a rotten son like you been praised for being so dutiful? You live happily with your wife while you let your father live alone for the past 15 years? If you were truly a filial son, you would have found your father someone new a long time ago! Shouldn’t he remarry and be happy? How could you have received praise when you left your father to live alone and lonely?”

 

So the son received his beating and returned home; he did not receive an award; he was not received with honor. At home, he told his father why he was beaten. And do you know what the father replied?

 

“Finally! A magistrate who knows what’s what! It’s about time a magistrate knows what he’s doing!”

 

The son was dutiful to his father in the way he wanted to be; not the way his father wanted or needed. Of course this story does not directly apply to modern society, but it is worth thinking about.

 

2. Truly honoring your parents means to make them happy. True devotion brings them joy. Children often mistake and misinterpret many things when it comes to their parents.

 

Their mother and father insist they do not like a certain food and tell them to eat it instead, and they believe it to be true. They do not stop to think that their parents do indeed want to eat it, but they give it up for their children. They want and need certain clothes, but insist they don’t. They want to travel, but claim they have no desire.

 

What they say may not always be true; they hide their true thoughts for our sakes. But to take what they say at face value and not give it another thought is foolish and you are thinking of what’s best for you, not them.

 

If your parents have not yet met Jesus, you must always pray for their salvation. Pray for them. Pray for their souls. Praying for their salvation to Heaven is the greatest duty you can fulfill.

 

3. Finally, there are no parents who are happier than those with sons and daughters who pray. Today’s scripture tells us to be righteous and wise. What does it mean to be righteous and wise?

 

It means to believe in God, serve Jesus, receive salvation, receive forgiveness, and live as children of God. If you do not believe in Christ the Savior, you are only separating yourself farther from being truly filial sons and daughters.

 

Parents suffer unbearable pain when they see their son or daughter in prison for a few years. Imagine how painful it must be for them to see their children headed for eternity in Hell. No parent can sleep with that knowledge. Believe in Jesus and become children who will live in Heaven and hope. It is the greatest thing we can do for our parents.

 

1. How should you serve your parents? Remember today’s scripture: “22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. 24 The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. 25 May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!”

 

2. There are some of us here whose parents have passed away. You may not have your biological parents beside you, but you will always have your Heavenly Father. Honoring Him is no different. Listen and obey His word, do not despise Him, and bring Him joy. If you do this, blessings will overflow and be bestowed upon you and your children. Hallelujah!

 

Keep today’s message in mind and put it to action. Receive God’s love and blessings as His children.

 

By  ik sun ahn/050816