Man’s Work and Man’s Wisdom
Real Men Work
We live in a world increasingly flooded with the concept of easy riches to be gained without work. However, even in Eden, Adam was responsible to work (see Gen. 2:1515And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (Genesis 2:15)). Of course, before sin ruined all, it would have been a delight to till and dress that perfect environment. But after they sinned, Adam still had to work, though now it would be “in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Gen. 3:1919In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:19)).
The Importance of Proper Planning
For a young man, perhaps contemplating marriage and family, God’s order is clear. “Prepare thy work without, and put thy field in order, and afterward build thy house” (Prov. 24:2727Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. (Proverbs 24:27) JND). Responsible manhood begins by preparing a field (work, a career) which later will be able to support the house (wife, family, life) that he plans to build.
Spiritual Work and Leadership
These principles, though plain, are not only applicable in the natural realms of life, such as marriage and family. They also apply in the spiritual realm—both in the home and in the assembly.
Men ought to be spiritually busy working—studying, meditating on, and walking in the truth revealed in God’s Word. Manly spiritual diligence and energy are vital to provide spiritual food and care for family, brethren and those without Christ.
Too often in spiritual things men do not act as men, refusing their spiritual headship. This frequently results in forcing the wife and mother into a role that is not hers—spiritual leader in the home.
In the assembly, if men don’t expend spiritual energy, the result is weakness through lack of sound teaching and leadership as well as silence rather than praise and worship. Men! Be as diligent in spiritual matters as you are in your temporal work!
When Pharaoh found out that Joseph’s brethren were shepherds, he told him, “If thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle” (Gen. 47:66The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. (Genesis 47:6)). Oh how we need “spiritual men of activity” to guide, care for, and nourish the flock of God!
The Need for Wise Men
Today, feministic philosophies discourage and reject the thought that men should be guides and leaders. The result is a painful lack of manly leadership and direction in every sphere of life. Feminism unceasingly pushes the woman forward as being more suited than the man for the role of headship.
The result is a world beset with a Babel of conflicting and confusing remedies for social ills. Having spurned God, refusing to submit to His divine wisdom, mankind only proves itself incapable of solving moral ills by its natural intelligence.
In the face of this onslaught, it is vital that Christian men (and women, too) hold fast the truth of God and maintain the place that God has marked out for each. Families, marriages the assembly too desperately need men who through prayer, reading and obedience receive divinely given “understanding of the times.” We need men willing to stand as men against the enemy’s opposition. Receiving godly understanding is a result of faith and obedience.
No Place for Laziness
It is understood in secular employment that laziness (“slothfulness”) will not result in good jobs, career security, or a steady, livable wage. Far more importantly, God directs us to consider the insignificant ant as a warning against laziness (Prov. 6:66Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: (Proverbs 6:6)). How good to be as diligent and wise as the ant in all our things in order that much blessing might result.
Let us soberly meditate on seven solemn warnings from God’s Word concerning laziness:
The Perfect Example for Men
As in everything, our blessed Lord Jesus provides the perfect example of manhood. He ever worked the works of God. May we seek grace to humbly and diligently “walk even as He walked” (1 John 2:66He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)).
What blessing our Lord’s perfect diligence and obedience has wrought! May we also diligently do the work He has seen fit to give each of us to do.
Ed.