HUSBANDS ARE CARETAKERS

Main Scriptures: Gen.2:15-18

More Scriptures: Eph.6:4, 1Pet.3:7, Eph.5:29

During our Lunch Hour Bible Study Group Meeting, one of us asked a very simple but critical question that I think I need to recap here for the benefit of the husbandman who wants to become the good and godly man, husband and father. The question was this. “Who are we as husbands?”. So, it is the question of identity which is the beginning of living a victorious and optimal life as the good and godly shepherd. One of us at the meeting responded thus, “Husbands are caretakers and caregivers”.

So, today, let us consider the first identity profile of the godly husbandman. He is a caretaker. If you know how real estate business operates, you would appreciate who a caretaker is. The owner of the property hands over his house or houses to an agent. The landlord entrusts his assets to the caretaker to manage and maintain. Periodically, the agent reports to the house owner on the status of the property in his care. If the caretaker takes exceptionally good care of the property, the house owner would be happy with him and most likely retain him as his caretaker. On the other hand, if the caretaker does not handle the houses very well, the house owner will take the property from him. This is what happens to every husbandman.

You are an agent of God in your sheepfold. God is your principal. Your wife and children are His assets. He created your wife. You did not create her (Gen.2:23-24). He also gave you conception-children. You did not form them (Ruth 4:13, 1Sam.1:19). So, you do not own them. God entrusted them to you to take care of. That is what makes you a caretaker. As the head of the family, you have a greater responsibility to God to ensure that you take good care of your wife and children. You must work hard to maintain and improve their lives. Your coming into their lives must make positive difference in their spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

But how do I take care of my flock as a caretaker? First, you must recognize and appreciate your place in God as a caretaker. Self-discovery is the first step to self-recovery. Until, you reach this point of self-discovery, you will continue to fail in your responsibilities as the godly man, husband and father. Secondly, you must be responsibly-accountable. This requires you to take absolute care of your wife by providing for, honouring and respecting her and not dealing with her wickedly. Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered (1Pet.3:7) ES. Thirdly, as a caretaker, you must nurture your children in the way of the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instructions of the Lord (Eph.6:4) ES.

As a husbandman, your honour is when you are responsibly accountable to God, your wife and children. Be a good and godly CARETAKER.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, by Your Spirit, teach me how to take care of my wife and children.
• Father, by Your Spirit, empower me to discharge my duties as a good and godly husbandman.
• Father, by the power in the blood of Jesus Christ, deliver me from every trap of discouragement and fear.

FAITH CONFESSION

I take responsibility to take care of my wife and children because that is where my joy and fulfillment lies as the good and godly husbandman in Jesus name. Amen.

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