Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Some children, after they have come to the age of accountability, might, like the prodigal son, waste their substance on riotous living, and the son or daughter may burn cash on such things that do not satisfy, such as weed, drugs and alcohol, much to the chagrin of the parents. Yet, because they are free moral agents just like the parents in question, if they are not living under the parent’s roof, their freedom of choice should not be interfered with for any reason.
Even though parents may be grieved at their wayward course in life, this is a red line that must never be crossed, even if the temptation to do so may be very strong. When parents have jurisdiction over their kids, they are responsible for their training and upbringing, as The Lord clearly demonstrated in the episode with Eli. But when the children have reached adulthood, and are no more under the watch-care of parents, their right to choose must be honored, even if they may do some stupid things.
God has granted to all men and women the freedom to be wise or stupid as one may so choose, with consequences. God respects the choices of the righteous and the vile, and we should too. Like God, in His overtures to Cain, we may counsel, exhort, encourage, and we may even urge a change of direction. But at the end of the day, their choice must be left untrammeled, for we are never authorized to step ahead of God in such matters of conscience.
Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!