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| Author: Pastor Faith Oyedepo |
Topic: The Secrets of Family Increase (2)
Dear Reader,
By God’s arrangement, the husband is to provide for his family. He is the one who must ensure there is food for members of his family. He must ensure that his family members are well taken care of, especially his immediate family members (S.O.S 1:6).
The man must labour with his hands, especially as a married man; he cannot afford to be lazy. Your hands must be working hands because there is dignity in labour. God’s Word says: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase (Proverbs 13:11).
This week, we will be looking at The Role of the Man in Providing for His Household.
It is unfair for the man to shift the responsibility of handling family finances to the woman. He may assign a portion of it to her, but should not abandon his responsibility, only to turn around and blame her half way in the month, if the money becomes insufficient. However, the woman ought to be hard-working and assist the man in any way possible.
A man who is too slothful to find gainful employment should not be caught eating …This we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
God is serious about the need for men to rise up to their God-given roles, even in this day and age, where women also work to help make ends meet. Bishop T.D. Jakes said in one of his teachings, “The first thing God gave the man was not a wife but a job, a vision, an assignment.” Right from the time Adam was blessed with a wife, the man became the head of the marriage union. This has also placed upon him the responsibility of providing for his household. God’s Word says: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel (I Timothy 5:8).
As the man, you must be working towards certain goal(s) and be gainfully employed. The only time we are permitted to stop working is when we don’t want to eat anymore, and that is either when you are asleep or dead. However, as long as you are awake and alive, then work must continue.
Look at this testimony:
For over three years, whatever form of business I did eventually ended in debts, as I started the business without any capital. During those times, the devil would put me into one problem or another (either my children became sick or something else), which always disturbed and disgraced me.
The miracle came just after the Breakthrough Seminar. We were advised to do whatever was laid in our minds, and it occurred to me to start selling ice water. I prayed and started it. Since then, I was able to pay up a major part of my debt. Now, I enjoy rest of mind! – Nagberi, R.
The man is given the responsibility to cater for his wife and children. If he fails in this duty, he is a failure! It is a curse if the wife takes up this responsibility of the man, permanently, in the home. For a couple to ensure that they are shame-free, the man must understand this truth and rise to the occasion. When the money does come in and the man selfishly spends all on new clothes for himself and other personal things, he cannot win his wife’s trust. From then on, she will take out of the feeding allowance to buy personal effects for herself too.
So, according to God, the man is the provider. He is the one who must look for food and provide for members of his family. This is in keeping with the divine order. Therefore, the man must labour with his hands and expect God to bring the increase. If he does not work, no increase can come his way.
The grace to carry out your responsibility in your home can only be given by God. Do you need God’s grace in your life? Then, surrender your life to Christ. This is by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
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