Rob not, instead give

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

ROB NOT, INSTEAD GIVE

Prov 28:24

24 He who robs his father or mother and says, "It's not wrong" — he is partner to him who destroys.

NIV

Our first thoughts turn to the fact of how wrong it would be to rob from our parents. Who in their right might would break into their parent’s home as a common thief to take their property?  But is that the only way in which we could rob our parents? Or is that the only way our children could rob us? The idea that all our parents own is one day going to be ours could stimulate or encourage the child or children to demand their inheritance now, such as the prodigal son did. If all the parents have will one day be the child’s then how could it be wrong to take it sooner? That is the thinking which is being portrayed in this proverb. But that is not how children should think about all their parents own. If they plot in any way to achieve the property of the parents before the appointed time of inheritance due to the death of the parents, they are partners with the destroyer, who is the devil. But is this limited to the thief of material goods? What about stealing the reputation of the parents? When children talk poorly of their parents, is it not robbing the parents of their dignity. Many parents due their level best to be good parents, but do have, like all people, faults. None of us are perfect and children should not expect the perfect parents as parents should not expect a perfect child. But if we speak poorly of them, although truth may be told, speaking poorly is in essence putting them down, robbing them of their reputation. We never see Jesus ever speaking anything but praise for the Father. That should be our example. It matters not the material wealth of people, or the social position, parents are the individuals who have given life to the children. Yes, God has knit us all together in our mother’s womb, but it took, by the design of God, a man and a woman to create a new life within them. They cared for, feed, clothed, loved, and cared for the needs of the child. The parents did the best they could, of course there is always a few exceptions, but we are talking about the average set of parents. Many parents sacrificed things they wanted to their children could have something. Many parents today look for the best place to live so their children can go to a better school. So much is done by parents for their children and many times it goes unnoticed. Children who are either ungrateful or disrespectful of their parents might well be robbing their parents of experiencing the joy of being parents. One of the Ten Commandments is to honor your father and mother.

Ex 20:12

12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

NIV

Deut 5:16

16 "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

NIV

Eph 6:1-3

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."  

NIV           

That is pretty much the whole of the idea here. If we do not honor our parents we will have but a short life. If our children do not honor us as parents their lives will be cut short. By not giving honor to the parents, the child is actually robbing them of the honor they should receive as commanded by God. So then let us not rob, but give. Children should not rob their parents of anything, dignity, reputation, or honor. They should add to the dignity, reputation and honor of their parents.