Some friends once gave me a helmet and cape like Calvin. Maybe it’s time to put it back on.
Category Archives: Calvin and Hobbes
Living Well
Many people seem to adopt the philosophy of Hobbes that living wisely means avoiding all responsibility and work, and then being smug about your accomplishment.
In contrast, Scripture presents the opposite viewpoint. The truly wise person is one who accepts responsibility and handles it well. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), two servants are rewarded for their diligent acceptance of their assignment and faithfulness in carrying it out, while one servant is punished because he was lazy and neglectful in avoiding responsibility.
If you study the concept of honoring your father and mother (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16), you wrestle with how to do that in a tangible, demonstrable manner. Scripture indicates that in the growing years, we are to demonstrate obedience (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20). In the mature years, we demonstrate respect to our parents (Leviticus 19:3, 32), provision for their needs (Matthew 15:3-6; 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8, 16), as well as godly character (Proverbs 23:24-25).
If you go all the way back to the Garden of Eden, you discover that God assigned Adam and Eve a task to do (Genesis 2:15). From the very beginning, work was a good thing. It was only after Adam and Eve sinned that work became more difficult (Genesis 3:17-19).
Rather than shrugging off responsibility and smirking about your supposed wisdom, accept the task you’ve been given and shoulder your share of the load. Be faithful and diligent. Live wisely and well.