The legacy of a dad’s life is his children

Consider the legacy Press Maravich left for his son Pete. As the head basketball coach at Clemson, Press chose to pour his life into his young son, developing him into one of the premier athletes of our time. Pistol Pete played college basketball for his father at Louisiana State University. He became one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball history. Under his dad’s coaching, he became a three-time All American and was the College Basketball Player of the Year. Upon graduation, Pete showcased his talents in the NBA.

But the extraordinary basketball skills were not the greatest legacy Pete received from his father. More importantly, he received his father’s character, work ethic and discipline. These virtues pointed his life in the right direction. Years later when Pete was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame he said, “Give the award to my dad because there is no way in the world I deserve the honor before he does.”

The book of Proverbs is an inspired record of a father sharing wise counsel with his son. Proverbs contains 14 father-son talks, teaching 10 essential truths, four being repeated. Dads, these same practical truths must be transferred to our children. If our children can grasp these life lessons, they will be prepared to live successfully in whatever God calls them to do. Each of these lessons is an appeal by Solomon to his son to listen carefully to the voice of wisdom. We must transmit the same truths to our families

Abandon bad company (Proverbs 1:18-19, 4:10-19). Peer pressure is a strong force. Our children must be careful with whom they associate. Solomon said, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence” (Proverbs 4:14-16). My father used to tell me, “Show me what books you read and the company you keep and I’ll tell you who you are, or who you will soon become.” They must choose good friends.

Obey God immediately (Proverbs 1:20-33). Solomon conveyed to his son that God’s Word must be obeyed immediately. Delayed obedience is no obedience. Our children cannot sow their wild oats today and then pray for crop failure tomorrow. They will reap what they sow. If they disobey God now, there will be certain consequences that cannot be reversed.

Proverbs 1:20-23 reads, “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the gates of the city, she utters her sayings, ‘How long, O naïve ones, will you love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, and fools hate knowledge? Turn to my reproof….’”

Wisdom is pictured as someone shouting in the streets, calling out for our attention and vying for our response. The lesson is clear: We must respond to wisdom’s call as soon as we hear it.

Men, our children must obey God now while they are young before the temptations grow stronger. The Bible says, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Avoid loose women (Proverbs 2:1-22, 5:1-23, 6:20-35, 7:17-27). This is the one lesson most repeated by Solomon. The deliberate repetition underscores the importance of this lesson. “Wisdom will deliver you from the strange woman, from the adulteress who flatters with her words; that leaves the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God; for her house sinks down to death, and her tracks lead to the dead; none who go to her return again, nor do they reach the paths of life” (Proverbs 2:16-19). One moment of illicit pleasure will bring a lifetime of destruction. And it’s not just impure women. Young men will attempt to destroy your daughters as well. So get to them before the adulteress does. Tell your children that absence is the key to abstinence.

Trust God’s sovereignty (Proverbs 3:1-12). Solomon taught his son to trust God completely. He urged his child to put God first and obey him, no matter what. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:1-4). To trust God fully means to lean fully upon the Lord in every situation and not relying upon your own wisdom or solutions.

Teach your children that whenever they have an important decision to make, they must be persuaded that God knows what is best. He can be trusted to lead perfectly in every choice they make. God can be trusted fully because he loves us perfectly. He has done the greatest thing. He sent his son Jesus to die for our sins upon the cross. “He who did not spare his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) Jesus died as a substitutionary atonement on the cross for our sins.

Never underestimate your influence as a father upon your children. As Pete Maravich was inducted into the Hall of Fame, his father was bedridden with cancer. In a few weeks, his father would be dead. Pistol Pete recalled his father’s commitment to help him become the best he could be.

He said, “As I look back now, I finally feel as though I understand my inheritance. Dad handed me something beautiful and precious, and I will always be indebted to him. He gave me his life full of instruction and encouragement. He gave me hope in hopeless situations and laughter in the face of grim circumstances. He gave me the privilege of seeing an unwavering faith when the darkness of life and death surrounded him.”

Some men build careers. Others erect empires. But the rarest of men leave legacies. What are you leaving?

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.org.