It is somewhat expected in the missionary community that you hire an empleada (aka a housekeeper). This was tough for us, because obviously in the US having a housekeeper is a pretty big luxury. It felt weird spending our raised funds on hiring a housekeeper (even though we pay above the normal rate our share is only $25USD per week). However, the reasons hiring empleadas is encouraged is because its a way to create needed jobs, build relationships with Nicaraguans, and get some needed assistance around the home. We share an empleada with our neighbors, a sweet mother of two whose husband was killed a few years ago in a car crash. This morning my wife and I had a “passionate discussion” about what is and is not the role of our empleada. The discussion centered upon whether or not we could more or less cede most household responsibilities to her, or if we should still make an effort to keep up with certain chores (i.e. doing our own laundry and dishes).
This got me to thinking about our roles as men. We cede far too many of our Biblical responsibilities to others, especially when it comes to our roles as husbands and fathers. As long as our kids go to Sunday school and our wife attends her Bible study we’ve fulfilled our responsibility right? Let the leaders of those groups disciple them, because besides, they are more gifted for it anyway. The problem is that’s the role the Bible assigns to us as men. Today, I want us to read the following verses and really ask ourselves if we are living out God’s designed role for us as fathers and husbands. If you have not taken on those roles yet in life I encourage you to start thinking about how you will once you are a husband and father. Let’s stop giving away our responsibilities and embracing the role God has given us.
Model holiness: Keep a close watch on your life and doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:16
Provide: But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8
Discipline and guide: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
Nurture: For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church. Ephesians 5:29
Disciple and teach: These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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. Deuteronomy 6:7
Lead: He must manage his own household well, with all dignity. 1 Timothy 3:4
Love: Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
