Because of Eli's position, his influence was more extended than if he had been an ordinary man. His family life was imitated throughout Israel. The baleful results of his negligent, ease-loving ways were seen in thousands of homes that were molded by his example. If children are indulged in evil practices, while the parents make a profession of religion, the truth of God is brought into reproach. The best test of the Christianity of a home is the type of character begotten by its influence. Actions speak louder than the most positive profession of godliness. If professors of religion, instead of putting forth earnest, persistent, and painstaking effort to bring up a well-ordered household as a witness to the benefits of faith in God, are lax in their government and indulgent to the evil desires of their children, they are doing as did Eli, and are bringing disgrace on the cause of Christ and ruin upon themselves and their households. But great as are the evils of parental unfaithfulness under any circumstances, they are tenfold greater when they exist in the families of those appointed as teachers of the people. When these fail to control their own households, they are, by their wrong example, misleading many. Their guilt is as much greater than that of others as their position is more responsible.

Eli øvede langt større indflydelse, fordi han var ypperstepræst, end han ville have gjort, hvis han blot havde været en menig borger. Hele Israel tog hans familieliv som forbillede. De skadelige følger af hans ligegyldighed og magelighed kunne spores i tusinder af hjem, hvor man havde taget ved lære af ham. Guds sandhed kommer i miskredit, hvis børn af forældre, der bekender sig til at være kristne kaster sig ud i synd. Det bedste bevis på, at kristendommen i et hjem er af den rette slags, er karakteren hos de mennesker, som er påvirket deraf. Handlinger taler højere end selv den stærkeste trosbekendelse. Hvis mennesker, som bekender sig til at være kristne, ikke bestræber sig til det yderste for at opdrage deres børn sådan, at de er et vidnesbyrd om den kristne tros fortrin, men giver børnene en slap opdragelse og viser eftergivenhed over for deres onde ønsker, bærer de sig ad ligesom Eli. De vanærer Kristi sag og bringer sig selv og deres familie i ulykke. Det er under alle omstændigheder beklageligt, når forældre ikke gør deres pligt, men det er ti gange værre, når der ikke råder velordnede forhold hos dem, der er valgt til at være vejledere for folket. Hvis disse ikke kan styre deres eget hjem, fører de mange på vildspor ved deres forkerte eksempel. Deres skyld står i forhold til den stilling, de beklæder.