Youth, Inheritance, and Getting Used
Let’s be honest. When you’re young, being part of something exciting feels like everything. Think about getting invited to that exclusive friend group, or being included in a secret plan that makes you feel important. And when someone invites you in with promises of friendship, fun, or fortune, it can feel like hitting the jackpot. But according to Proverbs 1:14-19, what often looks like camaraderie is actually manipulation in disguise.
Let’s talk about what Solomon says about protecting your inheritance, choosing your circle, and not becoming someone else’s pawn.
The Danger of Throwing Away Your Inheritance
“Throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse” (Proverbs 1:14, ESV).
Sounds like a Robin Hood-style arrangement, right? Everyone shares, everyone benefits. But Solomon warns that this kind of “sharing” usually comes at a cost. It’s not real friendship—it’s exploitation.
In our world, it might look like skipping values for a quick win. Maybe it’s cheating to get ahead, ghosting responsibility, or compromising what you know is right for temporary praise. The sad irony is that in chasing belonging, many lose what mattered most: their identity, purpose, and legacy.
True Friends Don’t Use You
“For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives” (Proverbs 1:17-18, ESV).
Solomon gets graphic here. These so-called “friends” are laying a trap, not just for others but for themselves. But they’re hoping you’re the one clueless enough to get caught first.
Let’s put it bluntly: real friends don’t need to use manipulation to get you to join them. If someone wants you to compromise your integrity or faith, they’re not a friend—they’re a liability.
Teach Your Kids to Be Wise
Parents, this is where it gets real. Solomon is urging you to have honest, ongoing conversations with your kids. They need to know how to spot false friends, protect their values, and guard the gifts God has given them.
Not sure how to start? Try asking questions like:
- Who do you admire and why?
- What kind of friend do you want to be?
- How do you decide what’s right when people disagree?
This isn’t about helicoptering. It’s about building inner strength and discernment so your kids can stand firm when the winds of peer pressure blow hard. And yes, it can be hard to let your kids stumble sometimes—but it’s better they struggle under your guidance than crash without it.
Say No to the Net
Solomon’s final point is sobering. The people who try to exploit others for gain are actually setting traps for themselves. Evil never pays in the end. But wisdom? Wisdom protects, honors, and uplifts.
So, if you’re a parent, keep pointing your kids to the narrow road. If you’re a young person, choose friends who make you better. And if you’re somewhere in between, remember this: you were made for more than popularity points. Don’t get played.
Because wise living doesn’t follow the loudest voice. It follows the right one.
Comments are closed