Children who are Christians will prefer the love and approbation of their God-fearing parents above every earthly blessing. They will love and honor their parents. It should be one of the principal studies of their lives, how to make their parents happy. In this rebellious age, children who have not received right instruction and discipline have but little sense of their obligations to their parents. It is often the case that the more their parents do for them, the more ungrateful they are, and the less they respect them. Children who have been petted and waited upon, always expect it; and if their expectations are not met, they are disappointed and discouraged. This same disposition will be seen through their whole lives; they will be helpless, leaning upon others for aid, expecting others to favor them and yield to them. And if they are opposed, even after they have grown to manhood and womanhood, they think themselves abused; and thus they worry their way through the world, hardly a…
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
EGW directly expands on the principle of honoring parents found in Ephesians 6:1-3, applying it to practical aspects of child-rearing and the consequences of neglecting this principle.
"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."
Both passages emphasize the importance of listening to and respecting parents, particularly as they age. EGW elaborates on the practical implications of this respect, while Proverbs 23:22 provides a concise command.