Do you provide well for your family? 1 Timothy 5:8 admonishes us to take care of those dependent upon us. How well do you meet the spirit of this verse?

Do you love your wife self-sacrificially, as Yeshua loves the church? In other words, do you give up your personal time to serve her? Do you provide for her financially as well? In other words, how much money is given to her in her monthly budgets? Within the constraints of that budget, is she able to spend it freely? Does her budget compare to yours? Is it better than yours? Perhaps it should be. Do you give her plenty of "off" time, taking upon yourself the duties she would otherwise perform, allowing her to completely relax and have time to herself? Or do you prefer that she remain responsible for her duties (as wife and mother) 24/7? Do you spend sufficient time listening to her? She needs to be heard by her husband. Do you meet this need well enough? Is your wife able to live a life of her own, beyond the confines of (and in addition to) her roles as wife and mother, or is she bound and "trapped" by the family she serves? Do you grant her the freedom to choose, even if the choice is wrong, as the Lord grants you? Do you meet your wife's sexual needs and desires?

Do you provide for your children? Do they have an appropriate amount of money budgeted monthly to meet their needs? As they age, do you give them an increasing portion of their budget as cash that they can spend any way they want? Do you spend ample time with them? Do you play with them on their terms (e.g., pretending, games)? Do you teach them respect for authority? Are you approachable for any questions and problems they may have? Do you discipline them, both negatively (when necessary) and positively? Do you take responsibility for their spiritual growth? What about guiding their physical, emotional, and intellectual growth? Do you give up your time for your kids? Do you give them enough affection? Do you model your heavenly Father appropriately? (Fathers are the archetype for God as far as children are concerned. If you want to know why God has been eshewed from our culture, look to fathers.)

If you're failing to provide for your family, the passage in Timothy says you're worse than an unbeliever. Sobering, isn't it? Get your own house in order before you think you're capable of meeting others' needs.