Passing the Buck

Proverbs 20:7 (KJV) The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Often when we read a verse like this, we think that there are certain promises made that are not really there.  In my first reading, and probably my fourth or fifth reading, this says that if I walk in “integrity” that my children will walk also in that integrity.  We take it as a promise, that if we follow God that our children will follow God.

That is not what it says.

It says that if we are faithful, our children will be blessed.  What that blessing means moves on to the next generation and depends on how they respond to the blessing.  I believe in free will.  Most people even if they are five point Calvinist, believe in some type of free will.  That means that no matter how much of a blessing we are to our children the question is, how will they respond.

I will concede that us walking in integrity gives them a better chance, a better foundation, understandings that others might not have, but it’s still up to them what they do with that blessing.  I can take my child out with a 22 rifle and teach him to shoot well.  He can take that skill and use it for recreation, or feeding his family, or for committing murder.

So?  Walk in integrity.  Lay the groundwork.  Set the example.  Pray that God would lead your children to follow in those footsteps.  Your responsibility is to give the blessing theirs is to respond to it.