The Most Important Job

Adapted from iMarriage by Andy Stanley

Crystal and I will go through what a spouses’ most important job really is…and no gentlemen it has nothing to do with bringing home the cash. What is the husbands most important job? That sure is an interesting question, one that makes me automatically think that providing for my family financially IS my most important job.  Lets by honest men we judge a man pretty harshly if he is not providing for his family by working longs hours.  Hear what I am saying.  I don’t think most men care if those long hours are producing great riches, that is not relative, but he better be making the effort to shelter, feed and clothe his family.  So as men we think (at least I did) that my most important job is to work hard, make a decent living and make sure my family is provided for while maintaining our American dream.  I have learned that providing is not God’s idea of the husband’s most important job.  But you say “Tim, what about Paul’s instruction in I Timothy 5:8” – “But if any provide not for his own, especially for those of his own household, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.”  I am not saying that the duties of providing are not our responsibility what I am saying is that as a husband that is not God’s plan for our most important job. 

So what is “The Most Important Job”?…it is showing your spouse, through words and actions, the characteristics of Jesus Christ.  I cannot show Crystal those characteristics if all my time goes into providing for my family financially.  I cannot show her Jesus Christ if I am in a Big “I” marriage and all I care about are Tim Breaux’s needs.  I cannot show her His characteristics if…you can place any number of hobbies, actions, events in this blank.  So gentlemen when you think about the job you have to do at home and the one that is the most important think about the love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that Christ Himself shows you every day.  These are the characteristics that will make you successful at THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB that of husband.