Effective Household Management: A Biblical Perspective
In 1 Timothy 3:4-5, the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of managing one’s household well as a prerequisite for leadership in the church. But what does it mean to manage a household “well”? Is it merely a matter of maintaining a certain standard, or is there more to it?
The Qualifier: “Well”
The adjective “well” provides a gracious subjective element, acknowledging that no one is perfect. However, it also implies an objective facet – overall fruitfulness, not failure, in leading at home. A man’s leading should be fruitful and improving, not stagnant or deteriorating.
Leading with Dignity
In 1 Timothy 3:4, Paul uses the phrase “with all dignity” to describe how a father should keep his children submissive. This implies that there are dignified and undignified ways to raise children. A father should strive to teach and train his children in a respectable manner, engendering respect from them and his wife.
A Comanager, Not a Lone Master
According to Paul, a Christian man is not the sole master of his domain. His wife is his comanager, a “helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18). Together, they manage the household, with the husband carrying a unique burden of leadership and owing his comanager a special kind of care.
Managing Material Possessions
While managing material possessions is important, it should not overshadow the more challenging task of caring for people. A good manager treats his comanager differently from the other workers under his leadership.
Caring for Children
After his wife, a Christian man takes care of his children. This involves adapting to their various stages of growth and development, frequently coming to the end of oneself, and learning to lean on God in faith.
The Issue of Submission
How submissive must a pastor’s children be to not disqualify him from office? The answer lies not in the eternal state of the child’s soul but in the nature of the elder’s fathering. Is he above reproach as a father? Does the child’s behavior betray faults in the father’s leadership?
Finding Solace in God’s Care
When fathers feel the weight of being the buck-stopper at home or as pastors in the church, they can find solace in God’s care. Before and beneath God’s call that fathers care for their households and for God’s church is his care for them. As 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Conclusion
Effective household management is not about achieving perfection but about striving for fruitfulness and improvement. By leading with dignity, managing material possessions wisely, caring for children, and finding solace in God’s care, fathers can fulfill their role as leaders in the home and in the church.
Leave a Reply