Home Is Where the Heart Is
Home is where the heart is. If we believe that statement, shouldn’t our family, those living within our home, be more important to us than anyone else alive on the planet today? If we’re not careful, we can neglect our family and loved ones, not intentionally of course, while serving others. For those of us in church and ministry positions, this can easily become a delicate and dangerous situation. So where is your heart? Let’s go to the Bible to learn God’s truth regarding this issue.
Nehemiah was in Jerusalem coordinating the effort to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Even the priests were unarguably working hard, repairing, and rebuilding their city, critical to the survival of their nation. However, Nehemiah understood the importance of first things first, and that quality and successful leadership flourishes when it begins at home, and then extends outward to others.
Read Nehemiah chapter three and notice what he says in verses 22-23 and 28-29. Simply stated, the priests made repairs, each in front of his house and then made repairs beside their houses and opposite their houses. They committed to taking care of those within their own homes and those closest to them first before extending themselves to help others down the street. Sometimes I think we get this vital principle backwards. We exert our time and energy first on those outside the precious inner circle God gave us, and then give what’s left, if anything, to those who depend on us most. Not good.
“A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well” (1 Tim. 3:12). “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).
Do you see yourself here? Whether you’re a pastor or not, you’re responsible before God for your family and those closest to you first. Begin today to make the needed adjustments to better align yourself with God’s plan, which is always and forever the best plan. God will forgive you, strengthen and bless you to do what’s right, and your heart will return home.