As Christian men, we are charged with the great responsibility to provide, protect, and be the priest of our homes. There is so much to unpack in each of these topics. However, let’s talk about our responsibility for ‘Providing‘.
Contrary to popular belief, providing is more than just financially. It is more than the purchase of stuff and things. Not that these things are not important there is just something greater, something higher than we need to provide. We need to provide a legacy for our families.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22Â (ESV).
Leaving a legacy
Here is what happened recently in my life. I run and teach a small Taekwondo class in Springfield, OH. It has not been going very well as far as student enrollment and retention go. So, I had a spur of the moment family meeting. Sitting at Golden Corral over a dish of hand-dipped ice cream I talked to my family about my struggles with the company. I told them about my fears. I even asked my oldest girl, “If the business fails would you think your Daddy is a loser?” My family’s responses surprised me.
First, my children were relieved that we may be stopping the class. Second, my oldest daughter showered me with encouragement and kind of rebuked me for thinking that she would ever think I was a loser. Then it hit me right there while I was eating cotton candy–that I had it all wrong. They were my legacy. I thought that I would build a company that I could pass down to my children. Then, in turn, they can pass it down to their children, and so forth. Come to find out, they did not even want it. However, the way my oldest spoke made me realize that the thing that I need to continue to pass down was Jesus.
Passing down our faith
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4Â (ESV)
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:7-9Â (ESV)
These scriptures versus are a command from the Lord to teach your family about Him. To infuse every moment with talking about His glory. To create a rhythm of life that moves to his drum.
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV)
Heroes, there is nothing more important than seeing generation after generation knowing and worshiping the Lord. Let this truth guide you. You are not truly providing for your family if you are not leading them to Jesus.
James Hall is the founder of Restoring Heroes Project. Born in Dayton and raised in Trotwood, OH. He now lives in Springfield Ohio with his wife of 15 years; Nyoka and their three children Ava, Samuel, and Nora. He has a passion to see men step into their rightful place in the home, workplace, and churches. He believes that men should be the heroes in the eyes of their family. He wants men to be excited about that hero stuff; leading, protecting, providing and being the priests of their homes. He knows that the world needs real Biblical manhood in this counterfeit world. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV)
