Setting an example

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6).

A man named David Buffaloe tells the following story:

"I watched a young father shopping with his son the other day, and saw how that father, though sincere, was starting his son out on the wrong path. The father passed by a large display filled with large rubber beach balls. When the child saw these balls, he first pointed, then reached, then began to scream. The father resisted for a moment as the child’s wails became louder and louder, then he gave the boy a ball. That didn’t satisfy him, for he quickly pointed to another smaller ball, and became loudly vocal when it wasn’t immediately given to him. Dad relented, gave the boy the second ball, and moved on.

"When I finished my shopping, I found myself in the checkout line behind this father and son. The father put everything on the conveyor belt so it could be checked out, except the two balls his son had. Once everything else had been paid for, he took the balls from his son and told the clerk quietly, ‘I’m not going to buy these.’ The reaction from the child was expected and immediate. Dad diverted and quieted the child by saying, ‘I’ll get them for you in just a moment. Be quiet!’ He paid for his groceries, and quickly, before the child could start up again, walked out of the store."

Our observant friend invites us to consider what lessons were taught to the child that day. First, the boy saw that he could bully his father and get away with it—this violates God’s command to honor your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12). He also learned that extortion works; if you make the right kind of threat, others will give you what you want. This undermines the principle behind God’s command you shall not steal (Exodus 20:15). Third, the father showed him that you should be ready to lie in order to escape a difficult situation; this opposes God’s command do not be a false witness (Exodus 20:16).

I’m sure that father meant well. He did not give in completely—the boy did not get either ball. In addition, the father did not let his son force him to end his shopping trip early. But what we do and how we do it are equally important; the father told a lie, and the boy was not punished for using blackmail and showing disrespect. By ignoring God’s laws, a grown man encouraged his young son to disobey the Lord.