Providing for Your Family’s Future

I want to make sure that if I died today my wife would be provided for. There are lots of ways of doing that, and I am not an estate planner, but I will say that we need to follow Paul’s command in 1 Timothy to provide for our households as men. The word for provide means to “take thought…to provide beforehand.” That means for many people that we are to work hard to save, invest, and prepare for the future when you or your spouse is gone, or when neither you nor your spouse will be able to work. That is one reason why I have had a term life insurance policy for years and have made investments that will be part of my wife’s provision if I go see Jesus before she does. 
 
I also want her to know where to find whatever she needs in my absence. So, we have put important papers in a fire-safe box. You may have everything online, and that’s great! But in the firebox is our will and health care power of attorney, vehicle titles, the deed to our land, birth certificates, social security cards, passports, all insurance information, and other important documents that we want to have access to immediately. I have also prepared a folder for my wife entitled “Who to Call When.” That document is on our computers, but there is a hard copy in the fire-safe box that I update every year or so, as needed. The folder includes who to call for Car Repair, Septic Service, Plumbing, Electrical, Heating fuel, HVAC, Tax preparation, and more. The last thing I want to do is compound her grief in my passing with having to try and make sense of our finances or how to take care of our house and possessions.  
Men, let’s be honest. Providing for our future also includes staying as physically fit as we can possibly be. If I am not taking care of my body, I am violating God’s Word in at least a couple of ways. First, the Bible says that I am not my own, that I have been bought with a price, and that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Bible also says bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things. The Bible gives us practical steps to take for temple maintenance that include eating right, exercise, going to the doctor for regular physicals, and doing what we can to be able to stay here a long time and provide for our family. It will not look the same for every person! 
 
I go the YMCA every week and I have seen this scenario repeated over and over. I am getting dressed to go run and lift weights. There is a man a few lockers down from me who is also getting ready to exercise. It takes him a while just to bend over and tie his shoes. The sweat is pouring off him just from that exertion. And I am guilty so often of judging him for allowing himself to get to this place with his body. But I believe the Lord gives me a different perspective. He whispers into my heart, “At least he’s taking a step. He has a hard road ahead, but he’s on the way.” 
 
How about you men? Are you on the way? To being the provider for your wife and your children? Do you have a vision for their emotional, physical, and spiritual needs? And for their future? Don’t let this be a burden to you. Instead, choose to let this be a word of encouragement. Choose just one of these areas where you believe the Lord has spoken to you this morning, and commit to walk in a new direction in that area. I believe God will meet you in that commitment and give you grace.  
 
For His glory and for the blessing and benefit of your family.