Responsibility- Let Them Get Hungry!
June 16, 2009
I try to read a chapter of Proverbs every morning. I’m thinking if I were to heed the truths in Proverbs more often I’d avoid a lot of heartache and frustration. 
) How easily I forget or reason out why to do what is contrary.
In light of yesterday’s post about Responsibility and not letting our children, or ourselves, make excuses that they "can’t" do what is expected of them, this verse really stuck out this morning.
The laborer’s appetite works for him;
his hunger drives him on.
Proverbs 16:26
Yesterday I mentioned that there should be a consequence when a person is lazy. Right here, God points out that it is a person’s hunger that drives him on to work!
Later Scripture says:
"If a man will not work,
he shall not eat."
2 Thessalonians 3:10b
There is your consequence.
Now, let me be clear, this is not referring to someone who truly is incapable of working. There are those that are physically or mentally unable, and it is these people that deserve our charity, it is our duty to care for them.
This verse also is not necessarily about punching a time clock kind of work. There are different types of work from picking up your toys at age 2, to doing daily chores at home for young people, to keeping a home for homemakers, to earning an income for those in the work force. There is even work for elderly folks, which usually comes in the form of daily chores and helping family members.
Let us be careful who we give our charity to. Let’s be sure that it is those who really need help. I cannot remember the exact quote I heard Sunday, but it went something like this:
‘To dole out relief to someone who is lazy,
is like administering a narcotic.’
Think about some people you know that are lazy. Think about how people feel sorry for them and are constantly giving them handouts and making excuses for their bad choices. We all know some. I wonder if they were left to be hungry some if they would be driven to work?
Make it one of your primary goals as parents not to accept laziness from your children. Keep them learning, keep them busy by being responsible and helping other people. Remember you are training life long habits!
Topics: Diligence, Matters of Faith, Responsibility, Teaching Them Well | 7 Comments »
Comments (7)
AMEN! to this. I have truly been blessed with some great kids. When I say chore time…they hop up and go. No whining, putting off, or trying to get out of it. They each have daily indoor chores and outdoor chores. I agree with the thought “Let them get Hungry!” We made it a thing years ago, you forget to water/feed the animals…..I forget to give you a drink and your meal can feed the animals, and one thing about my kids, don’t mess with their food LOL We have a garden, all must participate in its upkeep too. There are consequences come harvest and winter time (no they’ll not go hungry all winter LOL).
Thanks for all you do in Teaching Good Things. So far, I’ve not seen anything I don’t agree with.
God’s Blessings as you continue this ministry.
Vickie
Amen, and Amen. My older 2 know that verse, law says I have to feed them, does not say what. When they were younger, I had no problem allowing them to eat a peanut butter sandwich (no jelly) and a serving of veggies, while we ate a “dinner” type meal. They are grown and know if you want to eat you have to work. They also know public assistance is a temporary thing. A while back I told my younger 2 if they were good while running errands and grocery shopping, and did not ask for anything I would get them an ice cream cone on the way home. When I stopped at the DQ and only bought one cone, they complained, to which I replied “I did not act ugly at the store”. Yes, I allowed my children to watch me eat an ice cream cone. This is how they learn there are consequences for their actions.
Excellent post yesterday and today, Kathy. I will use some of your quotes for our “refrigerator thoughts” this week. (I like to put up quotes and verses on our ‘frig to make us think for the week.)
I agree with the concept, but I sometimes have a hard time knowing the best way to put it into action. A friend of mine won’t let her kids eat anything until they’ve completed their summer half days of school–2.5 hours of work. I don’t think it’s healthy to consistently throw their metabolisms off this way (much less expect their brains to function as efficiently). I would be all in favor of expecting a light chore (something that SHOULD take 10 minutes or less) before breakfast and then not allowing them to eat lunch until they’ve completed that schoolwork, but we have to be careful not to take the concept beyond good sense.
Kathy, thank you so much for your encouragement in teaching our children these important virtues.
Valerie, I LOVE the story about your kids watching you eat ice cream. I am definitely going to use that!
Michellyn,
I agree that 2.5 hours is a long time in the morning, but everyone is different. It usually takes me 3-4 hours before I am hungry. My mother grew up on a dairy farm, they did the milking before they ate breakfast. So it just depends on the family and the situations.
Just for the record, by no means am I in favor of starving children, but skipping a meal will not do anyone harm, providing they don’t have medical issues.