A Thief in the Family
Our text for today is Proverbs 28:24:
“He who robs his father or mother, saying, ‘It is not wrong,’ is a companion to the man who destroys.”
Living a long life allows you to witness many things. I’ve seen grown children, aware that their last parent is dying, enter the house and take valuable items. This certainly fits today’s proverb, but robbing one’s parents can take many forms. Financial exploitation, neglecting the care of elderly parents, misusing their money, failing to provide needed support, or being disrespectful and ungrateful are all ways of robbing them.
You might think, “I would never do that.” Yet, it is common enough that 2,800 years ago, the wise man had to warn against it. Notice especially the last part of the verse: “He who robs his father or mother, saying, ‘It is not wrong,’ is a companion to the man who destroys.” This means that mistreating your parents makes you akin to someone who causes great harm.
I’m blessed in that my kids treat me better than I could ever deserve, but this is a warning we all need to hear and perhaps share with a friend.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.