Serving the Lord in ministry is an awesome thing to do. Being able to share the gospel, care for the sick, help the needy – all of these bring so much joy and fulfillment to the heart. However, when the one in ministry fails to fulfill his obligations and responsibilities to his family, his service to others brings a wrong, defeated message to his family.
Taking care of your own flock
Quite frankly, pastors and other ministers prioritising their churches and flocks more than their families are doing God a disservice. Paul gave clear instructions to young Timothy regarding the qualifications and standards by which a minister should be chosen, and clearly we can see that a minister must take good care of his family before he can be entrusted with a flock.
"This is a trustworthy saying: 'If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honourable position.' So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?" (1 Timothy 3:1-5)
Read that last line again. It simply means that if a person desires to lead or pastor some people, he must be able to lead his own family in and towards the Lord. Think about it. Would you want an irresponsible parent or spouse to lead you in matters of life? Would you want an unfaithful spouse to teach you how to be faithful to the Lord?
How a minister treats his family, both in private and in public, clearly shows if he is fit for ministry.
God's heart
Friends, please do not forget that God's heart doesn't stop with saving you – He wants to save your whole family.
"The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptised. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God." (Acts 16:29-34)
Do you want to be a minister? Then first learn to have God's heart for your family, the very people around you. When you learn to love them the way God does, then ministry will be easier for you.
