Blessed by God, Cursed by Daddy

Last week, I remembered a quote that really hit home when I first read it.  Unfortunately, I don’t remember the author or the exact quote but it went something like this, “Cursed is the home on the day the father does not read Scripture.”

Pastor Erik and I were talking the other day about how important it is as husbands and fathers to search the Scriptures for answers on a daily basis.  Erik said that single guys, husbands, and fathers alike have no excuse for not knowing the Scriptures.  Single guys have more time and fewer responsibilities so scheduling time to read the Bible is more feasible, while husbands and fathers have greater responsibilities which demand even more time searching the Scriptures for answers.

God has been very gracious to the men of Veritas.  God has chosen to give us a pastor who loves the Bible and who feeds the flock (you and me) every week from the pulpit; we also have other godly men who have spent years studying the Bible and who are available upon request to help.   God has also given us a great venue to discuss Scripture in the Fight Club.  Finally, and most importantly, God has given us His Spirit and His Word.  What a shame if we choose to follow the church in Corinth and use all of God’s graces toward us men as a license to remain ignorant (1 Corinthians 3:1-2).

The Veritas Fight Club has been a great source of encouragement for me.  It’s the only place where I can gather around a table with 25 men and hear Scripture verses coming from every side of the table.  Someone will bring up a topic and instantly guys will reference the first verses that come to their minds.  Within seconds, any guy can have a list of verses on just about any subject he has in mind.  It’s a gold mine for guys who are truly eager to know their Bible.  Guys who want to learn how to help row the Veritas boat (not content with being carried along by the strength of other men) will learn here- it’s our training ground.  This is where you can practice wielding your sword and building Proverbs 27:17 friendships.

Proverbs 4:7 says “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom…”

So often, I hear Christian men say they can’t quote Scripture because they 1) don’t like to read, and 2) don’t remember what they read.  I wish these men would at least read (or download) Proverbs 4:7 and understand that studying the Bible is no different than studying anything else.  It takes time and practice.    

Veritas men – think about this…If you are up to date on your favorite sports team (something that changes weekly) yet you cannot quote one verse in Isaiah (something unchanging), then you are a curse to your family.  If you spend multiple hours per week on a hobby (including planning, dreaming, talking about, and driving to and from it) yet you don’t have a verse to give to your wife when she is struggling with her greatest sin, then you are a curse to your family.  If you spend your time updating your family on the daily “Fox News Alerts” yet you will not read the Bible to them out loud, then you are a curse to your family.  If you sleep in on weekends yet utter the words, “Please pray that I will find time to read the Bible,” then you are a curse to your family.  If you pick up a TIVO remote every day yet don’t pick up your Bible every day, then you are a curse to your family.  If you know your friends’ current Tweets yet can’t quote a single Proverb, then you are a curse to your family.  “Cursed is the home on the day the father does not read Scripture.” 

Generations who will carry on your family name are either cursed or blessed by what you do today.  Fathers, you can either plant a strong family tree that will be rooted in God’s Word and pass down a pure faith, or you can plant a tree in the sand that over time will be weak, dry, and useful only as kindling for when Jesus returns.  Do you truly get that?  One day your grandchildren will ask you about Jesus.  I hope you can quote Moses, Isaiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and not pass down an unscriptural, uneducated answer – prepare now!  Today we are brothers in Christ and worship Jesus together.  Beware of going another day without reading the Scriptures because if you pass down that curse your children and your children’s children may try to tear down the very church we are trying to build.

As always, there is hope in the gospel.  If you recognize that you have the potential to be a curse to your family (we all do) then turn from these ways by reaching out for help (ask questions), praying fervently, and stop making excuses for not knowing God’s Word.  Even though we are Christian men, we are prone to laziness, selfishness, comfort over sacrifice, etc.  Consequently, we have to fight against ourselves if we are going to be a blessing to our families.