1 Timothy 3:5 If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?

For all the fact that elsewhere Paul touts the advantages of singleness, (1 Corinthians 7) it is clear that marriage was the norm that he expected, in keeping with the rest of the whole Bible. There were single prophets, such as Jeremiah, but the marriages of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea, at the very least, were vital parts of their respective ministries. Again, throughout the Bible the parent/child relationship is key, as a picture of how God relates to us. Thus is is not surprising that Paul would throw in this statement as though it were too obvious to need saying. However, we have a remarkable ability to overlook the obvious! I have known pastors and missionaries who ruined their ministries by failing to pay the right attention to their “first flock,” their family. In my observation, that and the matter of personal, private devotions are the biggest, and at the same time most subtle, ways the devil attacks those in ministry. It is all too easy for him to deceive us with “serving God is my first priority,” when our first priority is actually relating to God as an obedient child, listening to Him, (devotions) and our second priority is the family that He has entrusted to us. Only then are we fit to serve Him and His family.

This was an area where my father struggled somewhat, but he made it through on the family front because he maintained a consistent devotional life. He was in enormous demand, and as a result we hardly ever took family vacations when I was a child. Actually, he didn’t take vacations at all, really, which definitely contributed to his leaving this earth at age 64. That isn’t the best stewardship! I haven’t done so very much better, though health management has risen in my awareness since I passed 60. My personal relationship with God is definitely my first priority, and people have actually criticized me for making my wife, particularly, such a high priority. Since our daughters are in their 40s, they haven’t been part of our immediate household for quite a while, but in some ways that is a parallel to the many people who have left this church geographically. Physical distance doesn’t eliminate relationships, though it does affect them. I am to seek God’s wisdom in relating both to my physical children and my spiritual children, whether they are close or far.

Father, this is timely, since my wife’s medical problems are demanding so much of my attention. Help me relate to everything as You intend, allocating not just time but emotional energy as You intend, not neglecting anything You desire for me to do but understanding what Your priorities are, so that Your purposes may be accomplished in and through me on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!