The Ministry of Family
So many works, so little time!
Reading of the tragic loss of so many young lives in Texas this week led to thinking about how important our time with family is in our day.
In an unrelated conversation I overheard a father lamenting that he was unable to be as involved in ministry as he would like. He has to make a living in order to feed his family so he “has to go to work.”
Though I understand this man’s desire to do more ministry outside his home, we must remember that the Lord will be glorified when Christian parents raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). He is also glorified by a father and husband who takes seriously his role as provider for the family.
Thinking that “ministry” is more important work than “family” reveals a lack of biblical understanding of the importance of the family to God.
We have been deceived into thinking that the daily grind of working for a living is not a “spiritual” act and so it is less important than the works we consider ministry. We seem convinced that ministries like feeding the hungry, caring for the refugee and loving our preborn neighbors are more worthy of our time and attention than the children and family God has given us.
The Apostle Paul disagreed when he said, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8
That sounds serious. Our primary responsibility is to be obedient to the Lord. At different stages in our lives, we will have different priorities and different opportunities. Families with children need to prioritize them and their instruction in the Word of God (Deuteronomy 6:6-8).
The blessing of this is that we have the privilege of watching our children grow and mature. In fact, part of their training may be to minister with us as is age appropriate. We seem to think that if we cannot do it now, we lose all opportunity. It’s a season. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says there is a season for everything and a time for every matter under heaven.
Every Christian has good work(s) to do according to Ephesians 2:10 and every child needs to see the example of serving God and his neighbor. I don’t want to discourage anyone from doing what God calls them to do, when He calls them to do it. What I hope we can all do is set our priorities according to the work God has called us to. If He has given us children, they are a good work for us to do.
Though many perceive family life as “the daily grind” and consider it “unspiritual,” the Bible clearly says that it is a God-given responsibility of parents (1 Timothy 5:8). Doesn’t that alone make it a spiritual duty – a ministry – for us to consider the nurture and instruction of our children one of our highest spiritual responsibilities?
It is hard to teach children that God is good and worthy of honor and praise if, as parents, our priority is out of the home in a ministry where they cannot see or hear what’s being instructed.
I imagine that the families in Texas this week are seeing the love of family as a high priority. The season of their raising children was cut short. None of us know the time we have with any of our family members. Let’s make the most of it for the security of their souls and the glory of God.