Chapter 11: Resolve to Provide for Your Family
This is an interesting
chapter in of itself. Before I even started reading the chapter, I wondered if
I had done enough to provide for a stable financial environment for my family.
Boy did I read into what this chapter was about before I actually read it. When
it comes down to it, it is not just about the financial side of providing for
your family. It is about providing much more! It is about being that all around
provider for your family. It is about doing what is needed to sustain the
family environment through financial stability but also spiritual wholeness.
What I learned more about this chapter is that God wants me to do all the right
things and work hard for His children and my family. It is not about seeing how
much you have at the end of the day but the question you should ask is: have I
done what I needed to make God proud of my efforts? If you answer no to that
question than you need to do some soul searching because your best effort needs
to go out to make sure that you have helped provide for the essential family
needs to survive. When you have done that God will handle the rest. It doesn’t
mean go out and store up all the money you can. That is being selfish! Remember
one key fact: You can’t take it with you!
The other important part of
this chapter to me is the reminder that I need to provide my family a spiritual
foundation to allow them to grow. At the same time, I must provide for others
within my extended family the spiritual leadership in the absence of that male
spiritual leader. Not only must I guide my wife and children but I must be that
guide for my mother if she is widowed because she needs that spiritual man in
her life. What a better way to make a mother proud than to have her son spiritually
guide her when she needs it the most.
Scripture: “My
God will supply all your needs according to His riches in the glory of Christ
Jesus. – Philippians 4:19
How am I providing for my family? By providing to not only maintain a house that has
some stability but by providing the spiritual works that my family needs and
desires. Several weeks ago, one of my children announced to my wife and I that
he wants to be baptized. He surprised us but in an awesome way. To see God
working through him gives me a great sense of pride because not only did I
helped develop that relationship between him and God but this child has pushed
me to help him guide him in that relationship.
