It’s a sign of the times that I have to begin a post about an obvious truth – that men are to be providers and protectors – with a disclaimer: No, I am not saying that only men can be providers and protectors. Women can, and often do, fill that role as well. I’m just saying that the primary social role for men is to provide for themselves so that they are not a burden to others, as well as to provide and protect their loved ones.
Blessing upon blessing comes when men fulfill this providing and protecting role for their loved ones, while pain and suffering come when they do not. It’s as simple as that. This role is so important that the Bible reserves one of its greatest condemnations for men – especially Christian men – who do not fulfill it.
“If anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”1
Of course, there is an implied exception in this statement: “If anyone who has the ability to do so does not provide for his own…” This verse is not talking about men who are disabled, or face such severe economic circumstances that they can’t find a job, any job. Rather, it’s talking about men who can and should provide for their own, but won’t. They may be too lazy and spoiled to work. Or maybe they’re too proud to take a menial job. Whatever the case, they would rather watch their loved ones suffer in poverty than do the hard work of earning a living. And if that person claims to be a Christian, the Bible says he’s an apostate.
So men are to be providers for their loved ones, both for their immediate family and for their extended family. But did you know that men are to provide for more than just their loved ones? It’s true. God calls us men to provide, not only for our family and extended family, but also for those in need in our church and community. This is how Paul described this very male oriented ministry in Acts 20.
“You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”2
I like to think that when Paul said “these hands of mine” that he held his hands up for everyone to see. Those were the hands that made tents so Paul could sell them to support himself and his associates. All the Ephesians elders Paul was speaking to could see in their minds a picture of Paul, surrounded by reams of canvas, sewing it into tents. Paul said, “I worked very hard doing that so that I could meet the needs of others. Now I want you to do the same so you can meet the needs of the weak.”
So men, we are to be providers and protectors of our families and extended families. But it is more than just that. We are to be providers and protectors of people with long term needs in our churches and communities as well. In other words, when men fulfill their God-given role, really, really good things happen to an awful lot of people around them.
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
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