Moms’ Time Speaker, Laura Tagliere
Managing God’s Gifts
God’s gifts to us include our husbands, our homes, and our money. As woman we often see God’s gifts to us as chores. Do we look for ways to help our husbands, or do we see helping them as a chore? Do we see managing our home as a chore or as a way to serve and put the Gospel on display? Is money a source of worry, or do we see the money that we have as God’s gift?
We bring joy and glory to God when we manage and use His gifts properly. Everything we have is from God and an opportunity to bring Him glory.
Part I: The Gift of Our Husbands
Marriage is one of the greatest gifts from God. It is the “grace of life” and meant to be a source of joy. Sometimes we see our husbands as a distraction from real ministry. God, however, clearly intends for this “distraction.”
Titus 3:3-5 says, “Older woman likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”
Titus 2 speaks of loving our husbands as a way to avoid dishonoring Scripture. The love in Titus 2 is not the word for “agape” but actually “phileo.” The word “phileo”emphasizes affection and common interests. God wants us to like our husbands. The same word, “phileo” is used in Romans 12:10, and this verse emphasizes honor and admiration. How can we foster admiration for our husbands? What if we no longer feel this? We must remember that honoring is a choice, and action, and a commitment. I John 4:19 reminds us that we our unworthy to receive God’s love. He will enable us to love other unworthy sinners.
What if feeling the love is not a problem but expressing it is? How do you greet your husband? Does it communicate affection or indifference? Do you express thanks for the impact he has on your life? Do you thank him for providing? Do you look for ways to seek his opinion? Do you consult with him? Do you show interest in your husband? Do you show interest in his job? Do you try to look nice for your husband? Do you know or care about his style preferences?
You can become even more beautiful as you age, developing a spirit of humility (I Peter 3:3-5).
One of the most meaningful ways to love your husband is through physical intimacy. Consider what is important to your husband, and save your time/energy for what he values, God will honor obedience and submission.
Part II: The Gift of our Homes
Learn to appreciate your home as the gift God has given you right now.
What is the goal of working at home? Titus 2 said so the Word of God would not be dishonored. A well-managed home will be the place your husband most wants to be. Our will be a place where the Gospel is on display and the Word of God is honored.
Hospitality is an extension of love. God wants us to use our homes to reflect His love.
Working at home is an act of sacrificial love.
Does your demeanor at home reflect the fact that relationships are most important to you? Do your efforts reflect the desires/needs of who you are serving? Does your attitude reflect that your home belongs to God? Do your actions reflect that your home belongs to God?
Part III: The Gift of Money
Considering the standards around the world and throughout history, we are all wealthy. All our money is the Lord’s. There are 2,350 verses on finances in Scripture. The principles for managing money are: provide, pay what we owe, save for the future and give.
God not only cares about what we give; He cares about what we keep.
Our spiritual health is directly related to our use of money. See I Timothy 6:17-19.
What is the key to serving God? Contentment. Be content because the Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need. The passage in I Timothy instructs us to hope in God and to be rich in good works.
The key to serving God with our resources is contentment. How can we show contentment? I Timothy tells us to be generous and ready to share.
What are some practical ways to show contentment?
It is impossible to manage money well if you do not know where it is going. Keep track of everything you spend. Categorize expenses. Develop a spending plan (budget) to help shepherd you in the process of money management.
Make giving a priority. Our church does not teach tithing. Jesus, however, always raised the spiritual bar. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be. Consider what God might want you to give up? Is it a want or a need?
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