Skip to content ↓

Book Review – A Father’s Gift

Book Reviews Collection cover image

I love the book of Proverbs and often feel bewilderment when I think of how few Christians, and Christian parents in particular, rely on the wisdom it contains–knowledge that is at once deep and wide. Proverbs is, in so many ways, a manual for raising wise, discerning, godly children. Why then don’t we turn to it more often?

Perhaps it is because mining the wisdom of Proverbs involves concerted effort. Not only do many of the jewels, by their very nature, reveal themselves only upon deep reflection, but the seemingly hodgepodge nature of their arrangement can make it difficult to find the themes, the common threads that wind their way through the text. It is helpful, then, to read a book in which much of that difficult work has already been done. In A Father’s Gift Ken Wingate has sought out and compiled many of the most common themes: wealth, relationships, purity, work, self-control, health, pride and so on. He has taken these themes and applied them to life in the twenty-first century, showing how the challenges of Solomon’s day are the same challenges we face today.

Wingate is a lawyer by trade, practicing in Columbia, South Carolina. Within the book the reader will find many references to the author’s vocation. This adds an interesting element as he shares how he has seen the truth behind many of the proverbs through his clients and through people he has encountered in the courtroom. His perspective as a lawyer (rather than a pastor as we might expect) is refreshing.

In his foreword to the book Sinclair Ferguson says this: “Proverbs–and Ken Wingate following it–shows us the way to possess the jewel of all jewels in a well-adorned life: wisdom that is rooted in the knowledge of, and reverential love for, God. Here is true wisdom that will prove to be worth its weight in gold in every age and culture. Ken Wingate now brings it into our needy culture, and I for one am grateful to him for sharing his gift as a father with other fathers–and mothers, and sons and daughters too.”

In this book, written for his children but given now to anyone who cares to read it, Wingate has done us a great service. He has collected much of the wisdom of proverbs under suitable headings and has shown how these proverbs, these principles, are absolutely timeless, as important to us today as they were to the young men they were written for so many centuries ago. I benefited from reading it and am sure you will too


  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 22)

    A La Carte: Pope Francis / Yes, Jesus was crucified with nails / The mystery of “the call” / Just a little bit / The last of the four / John outran Peter / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Will You Be a Pillar?

    How do we lead in a culture shaped by performance, individualism, and platform? Platforms to Pillars by cultural commentator Mark Sayers offers a biblical alternative to the platform mentality that dominates our society. Drawing from the ancient world, Sayers challenges Christians to become pillars—people who provide strength and support for others, who live with character…

  • The Tallest Trees

    The Winds Blow Hardest Against the Tallest Trees

    Through the weekend had many questions about Christian leaders who fall. And I expressed that just as the winds blow hardest against the tallest trees, so temptations may press hardest against the leaders who rise the highest. Just as floods press against shallow roots, so seductive desires rise up against those whose fall would bring…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 21)

    A La Carte: Toxic servant leadership / Taking our stress to the Lord / The problem with habits / Is it wrong for Christians to choose cremation? / Why does your church meet in a house? / Big book and Kindle deals / and more.

  • Expectations

    Why We Ask So Little of God

    Most Christians expect little from God, ask little, and therefore receive little, and are content with little. Though the Bible calls us to pray and though it promises that “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working,” we can still have very modest expectations of what God will accomplish through…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (April 19)

    A La Carte: Why man needs God / Why nails matter / Kids’ picture books / MLK’s famous letter changed a DC church / How to mentor / A tearless eternity / and more.