What Proverbs 23:24 Teaches Us—and Why It Matters Today

Proverbs 23:24 says:

> "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him." (NIV)


This verse is a reminder from the ancient wisdom of Scripture: real joy for a parent doesn’t come from status, sports trophies, or academic achievements. It comes from seeing your child grow into someone who chooses righteousness and wisdom. That’s a success that matters for eternity—not just the next news cycle or social media post.

In the Bible, righteousness means right standing with God and living according to His ways—truth, humility, justice, compassion, and faith. When a child grows up to embody that, it means that parent did something right. Proverbs 10:1 echoes this idea:

> "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother."


So it’s not just about having a smart or successful kid. It’s about raising someone who walks in truth. Proverbs 22:6 gives parents a charge:

> "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."


This means godly parenting is active—it requires time, intention, and love. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 takes it further:

> "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."


The biblical model is clear: the family is the first classroom of faith. But look at how society views parenting today. Culture increasingly treats children like accessories or projects—just get them to the best schools, the most elite teams, or the highest-paying careers. Character and faith? Those have taken a backseat. Media glorifies independence from parents, and many kids are being raised more by screens than by moms or dads. Morals are now considered “subjective,” and traditional values are often mocked.

Worse, government policies are creeping into family life in troubling ways. Some school systems are promoting ideologies about gender, sexuality, and race that go directly against biblical values—and parents who speak up are sometimes labeled as “domestic threats.” The federal government has shown more interest in pushing programs that replace parental authority than strengthening families. Instead of supporting faith-based child-rearing, some policies actively undermine it.

Scripture paints a very different picture of what’s important. Psalm 127:3 says,

> “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”


That means kids aren’t burdens. They’re blessings—and they’re not the state’s responsibility. They’re entrusted to parents.

We’ve lost sight of this in modern culture. Many parents feel too overwhelmed or under-equipped to lead their kids spiritually. Others are trying, but feel like society is working against them. So how do we improve?

We go back to the basics. Parents must reclaim their biblical role as spiritual leaders in the home. Churches need to support families, not just entertain kids for an hour a week. Communities must advocate for policies that protect the family unit and give parents a say in their children's education and moral development.

And as Christians, we need to live what we believe. That means modeling integrity, praying with our kids, teaching them Scripture, and showing them what it means to love God and neighbor.

At the end of the day, Proverbs 23:24 is a promise—joy is found in raising kids who walk with God. But it’s also a challenge. It asks parents, "Are you raising wise and righteous children—or just successful ones?"

Let’s be the generation that brings wisdom and righteousness back to the family, back to the church, and back to the heart of America.


Bibliography (MLA Style)

The Holy Bible: New International Version. Zondervan, 2011.

Bridges, Charles. A Commentary on Proverbs. Banner of Truth Trust, 1990.

Kidner, Derek. Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary. InterVarsity Press, 1964.

Longman III, Tremper. Proverbs. Baker Academic, 2006.

Wright, N. T. After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters. HarperOne, 2010.

Mohler, R. Albert. We Cannot Be Silent: Speaking Truth to a Culture Redefining Sex, Marriage, and the Very Meaning of Right and Wrong. Thomas Nelson, 2015.

Pearcey, Nancy. Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality. Baker Books, 2018.

Dreher, Rod. The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation. Sentinel, 2017.

Reagan, Ronald. "Proclamation 4883—Year of the Bible, 1983." The American Presidency Project, University of California, Santa Barbara.

"Parental Rights in Education." Heritage Foundation, www.heritage.org.

U.S. Department of Education. “Proposed Priorities for American History and Civics Education.” 2021.

Barna Group. "Trends in the Faith of American Parents." 2020.



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