3 Ways to Provide Well for Your Family

 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

– 1 Timothy 5:8

Providing for one’s family is a responsibility given to parents (especially fathers), and it is something that we strive to take seriously. It doesn’t necessarily take a lot of money to provide well for your family, though we acknowledge that this is not the case in all parts of the country. Living in New York City requires a significantly different paycheck than making a home in Missouri! But just as God gives us the responsibility to provide for our families, He also gives us the means of that provision.

This does not mean that we are guaranteed a large house and high paycheck, nor does it protect us from our own poor monetary choices or tragic medical circumstances that can quickly drain a life savings. In fact, sometimes biblical provision may look like significant downsizing and living on less! As Christians, our job is to live as obediently as we can with the resources God has provided for us, and trust Him to care for His people. After all, He is our ultimate Provider.

Financial Provision

The basic physical needs of children are easy enough to identify: food, clothing, a home, and medicine. Being able to financially afford these vital things is so important that we could consider this knowledge common grace: something that all people intuitively understand, whether or not they know Christ personally.

Throughout all of history, it is these sorts of things the church has understood Paul to mean when he said in 1 Timothy 5, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Contrary to what many television preachers and health-and-wealth charlatans might tell you, this is not a command to seek after loads and loads of money so that you can have whatever you want (“because God wants you to be rich!”). Rather, loving money can lead to all kinds of evil. We don’t need to try to compete with everyone around us and have the latest and greatest things. They are not included in the command of biblical provision, though they may sometimes be considered great blessings.

We encourage families to minimize debt obligations and risky investments that can compromise their short or long-term financial stability. Instead, having monetary safeguards and wise investments is crucial. If you can afford it, and especially if you have children, it’s a great idea to purchase life insurance and put together a will or trust to ensure that your family is properly provided for in the event of your death.

Emotional Provision

Physical and financial stability is not the only way that parents need to provide for their children. We also need to connect with them emotionally. We want our children to know that they are appreciated and valued, that we enjoy their company, and that our love for them is unconditional. We strive to be approachable and available so that they know they can come to us in the good times and bad. And if a special situation arose, we would want to be able to get our children mental health help, if needed. Lastly, we want to show our kids how to have good relationships with people of all ages, backgrounds, and life circumstances so that they are prepared to enter the adult world as well-rounded contributors of society.

Spiritual Provision

Spiritual discipleship is the most important - and often the most overlooked - kind of provision. As Christians, this is our highest priority. Spiritual discipleship is an all day, everyday endeavor and primarily takes place in the home. Kids are also discipled at church and by other mentors if they go to Christian schools, Bible camps, clubs, etc.

One great blessing of providing spiritually is that it can stretch into the next generation. You can still be a great resource for your kids when they leave home and start families of their own. Being an active and Christ-centered grandparent is an incredible legacy of provision! And neglecting this great responsibility can be costly. The book of 1 Samuel illustrates this very well. A priest named Eli did not pass on his faith to his sons, who then abused Israel’s sacrificial system for their own gain. In the end, the entire family was judged for Eli’s neglect and his sons’ persistent sin.

Conclusion

It is the Lord Himself who gives us the resources to use so that we are able to properly provide for our families. Our job as parents is to steward these gifts well so that we are doing for our families what God does for us: provide physically, emotionally, and spiritually. While financial provision is important, it should not be our only focus. We also don’t need to feel ashamed if there are certain areas of provision in which we feel ill-equipped. This is a learning process, and oftentimes God puts others in our lives to help us in those specific ways.

You might even say…He provides them.

Key Points

• As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children are provided for in all aspects of their lives.
• Financial provision is important, but is not a replacement for spiritual and emotional provision. All three are crucial.
• Regularly remind your children that all provision is ultimately from God.