The Amplified version of Ephesians 5.1 is very interesting: “Therefore be imitators of  God [copy Him and follow His example] as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

Proverbs 4 says that my father taught, guided, led, instructed, warned, directed, and gave his son with great earnestness and depth.

Think of the story of the wounded man on the road (Luke 10.20-25) that the priest passed by on the other side, and the Samaritan man stopped to take care of him. What difference would you foresee in the sons of these two men??

I read a report published by the Justice Department that said in part, “the greatest indicator of future criminal behavior is the lack of a father in the house.” The Wall Street Journal last year published a report done in 1979 that boys age 14-22  (followed until age 33) who were raised outside of intact marriages are twice as likely to end up in jail as other boys.

Malachi 4.5,6, echoed in Luke 1.16,17 says “and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”

Dad, the Bible teaches that the responsibility for your family rests with you! You must teach and train your children, mostly by your example. You teach them patience, by being patient; honesty by them observing your integrity; contentment as they see you content with your job, your boss, your wages, your lot in life. Or does your son see you come home griping and complaining about your situation?

If you “don’t have enough time” with your children, perhaps you should take less salary in return for more time off. Work fewer hours or days in order to be there for your children. You will work all your life, but you have less than 20 years (if that) to impact your children.