It might be thought that our next proverb applies only to those blessed with children and grandchildren. “Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of children is their fathers.” (Proverbs 17:6, CSB) Stay with me, and maybe you’ll see there is something for everyone.
First of all, grandchildren are the crown of their grandparents. Betty and I have six grandchildren. Each one of them is unique in their own way. We cheer on their successes and pray for their struggles. The crown, however, is not their accomplishments but seeing the lessons we hoped to impart on our kids get passed on to the grandkids. And even more so, the passing on of faith in Jesus Christ.
And, of course, there is also pride in our children’s accomplishments. Their glory becomes our pride. As with the grandkids, we cheer their successes and pray for their struggles. This is not a boastful kind of pride, but one more closely linked to satisfaction and completion. It’s like the pride of a farmer at the close of harvest, saying, “That was good.”
I also love this proverb because it reminds us of the Bible’s far-sightedness. Faith is about today, tomorrow, and generations yet to follow. “One generation will declare your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4, CSB)
We weren’t perfect parents. No one is (except our heavenly Father). We did some things well and struggled with others. We strove to maintain a humble honesty with our kids. The greater lessons of life and faith are often learned best through failure and making things right.
But even if parenthood is far off or impossible for you, this proverb has a powerful truth. We are both someone’s child and God is our Father. Our successes in life and faith bring glory to our parents and to God. One of the Ten Commandments is to honor your parents. That honoring begets their pride-filled satisfaction.
There is one other truth. We can parent well, do all the right things, but it is still God who provides the growth. We till the soil, plant, weed, and water, but God grows our children into who they are in Him. And what if they walk a rebellious path? We pray.
- Romans Applied – Prevailing Grace - June 3, 2026
- Proverbs – Grandkids - June 1, 2026
- Romans Applied – Abundant Grace - May 27, 2026
