Faith.
It took us a while to get here, but this month we will conclude what turned out to be a three-month series. In building the foundation for this topic, we looked at, firstly, the maternal instinct of women. Then we followed with a column on the paternal instinct of men, often ignored or overlooked.
There is a reason that God’s plan for the home included a mother and a father. Lest there be any doubt, in this our corrupted society, that is a biological man and a biological woman. Each of them brings a unique and very important contribution to the home.
A woman, a mother, is designed by God to be a nurturer and care-giver-the “maternal instinct”. A man, a father, is designed to be a protector and provider-the paternal instinct. Our focus here is on the latter-the provider. I previously referenced an old saying “Hell is when a man wants to work to support his family and there is no work available”. This saying bears truth, because it tears at one of the basic needs of a man-to provide for his family.
We live in a complicated society and are therefore dealing with many negative aspects of this situation. Practices such as teaching men that they do not have to take on responsibility, rewarding women financially for having children without a father in the home (marriage), excessive government taxes and regulations that drive employment opportunities to foreign countries, corporate greed, etc. But I want to finish this series by addressing a false narrative that we are often taught in our society and even in our churches. It is this-only work if you have no other option-find a job that gives you as much leave time as possible-with early retirement.
Even in some churches, the teaching is that work is a result of sin in the Garden of Eden. This is Biblically false. Genesis 2:15 “And the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” This was before mankind ever sinned. It is true that work became more difficult as part of the curse of sin. But work itself is a gift from God. Ecclesiastes 3:13 “And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.”
The Bible has much to say about the need and the benefit of work. The Proverbs refer to the lazy non-worker as slothful. Proverbs 18:9 “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” Proverbs 12:24 “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” The apostle Paul emphasized this Biblical principle as well- Ephesians 4:28 “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing, which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” I Timothy 5:8 “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.”
It would benefit our homes and our society to have a Biblical attitude toward work. Men-husbands-fathers-thank God if you are able to work and provide for your family and assist those who are needy. It is not a punishment, but a gift and an honor. It fulfills your paternal need to be a provider. There is truth in the saying ““Hell is when a man wants to work to support his family and there is no work available”
Dr. Lonnie W. Stine, Pastor
Badger Community Church
11198 Badger Drive, Waupaca, WI
An independent, Bible teaching, local church
Sunday: 9:00 am Bible Study, 10:00 am Morning Worship
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