Are You a Good Thing?

By Kim English

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." (Proverbs 18:22)

The Bible says that we are a "good thing" for our husbands. Obviously, that is not guaranteed. Many things can complicate marriages. However, since our theme is to "Love Our Husbands" and this list is dedicated to women, we will focus on what we, as women, can do to strive to be "good things."

Older women are told to teach the younger women to love their husbands.

"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." (Titus 2:3-5)

Inside those verses is a wealth of things on which to meditate. Older women and mothers can teach younger women many things:

cooking

cleaning

respect and love for husbands

compromise

communication

longevity of marriage

keeping God #1 in the home

These, and so much more, can be taught in classroom situations or in devotionals, but especially through example.

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." (1 Tim 6:6-9)

Being content with the monies that our husbands bring home can be challenging. It is much easier said than done. It is so easy to be caught up in wanting to live like some of those around us, who seem to have it all and have the best of everything. We have to focus on what is important and necessary. We should trust our husbands to take care of us. Men can feel a strong sense of importance and responsibility in providing for their family; and that can be a tender subject, if we make them feel that they are not doing a good job of it.

There is much that can be said on this subject, but we have to think on what those verses tell us to do and pray about it.

" And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."" (Gen 2:18)

We are his helper. We should focus on helping to make the marriage happy, the home taken care of, the children taken care of and life lived to God's standards. Do not focus on what he will not do or has not done. Do what you can to help. My husband will not do laundry, but he will scrub the bathrooms. He will not unload clean dishes from the dishwasher, but he will wash dishes and load the dirty dishes. Both are compromises I am glad to make, personally. We are a team, and we work together.

How about our attitude? Proverbs 15:1 says "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger." It is not specifically talking about marriages here, but it definitely applies. We would do well to think about this when we are "discussing" things with our husbands.

1 Corinthians 7:3 is directly speaking of the marriage relationship; and it says, "Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband." Certainly, God knew of the desires he created in Man and Woman, and He expects us to fulfill those in each other.

Most important is that we keep our priorities on serving God and getting to heaven. We must always keep God first and use that to help make all of our decisions ....

such as: decisions as a couple ie:

who we hang out with, as a wife ie:

is this the right thing for me to be doing or the right attitude for me to have,

parenting decisions … on and on.

Proverbs 15:6 states, "In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble."

With the examples before us and with God's word, women can be armed and ready to be the wives that God would have us to be. Are you a good thing?

QUESTIONS:

1. a. According to the Word of God are you a good wife? Answers may vary

b. Name God given priorities for a wife? love her husband, love her children, be discreet, chaste, a homemaker, good, obedient to her husband. Be content with his wages, not desiring to keep us with the Joneses... Giving him the affection due him. (Titus 2:3-5; 1 Tim. 6:6-9; 1 Cor. 7:3)

c. How can you be a better wife? By being a helper to him not a hinderance. Having a good attitude, give a soft answer and not a harsh word when talking with him. Being more respectful to his intimate needs. (Gen. 2:18; Proverbs 15:1; 1 Cor. 7:3)

2. Quote Proverbs 18:22. "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord."

3. Are all wives a good thing for their husbands? No

4. a. Name things older women should teach young women. to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, (Titus 2:3-5)

b. What are some other things that the young women learn from the teachings of the older women? to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, to clean, cook, to compromise in certain situations when he is giving a helping hand around the house... it really is not his job. How to communicate the right way with their husband, longevity of marriage and keeping God first in the home. (Titus 2:3-5)

5. What happens to those who desire to be rich in this world? "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." (1 Tim 6:6-9)

6. Who does God say should be the bread winner for the home? The husband;

Genesis 3:16

To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.”

Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

Christ takes care of His church, He has given all that is needed for the church, Husbands are to care for their wives the same way Christ cares for His church. Christ has supplied all things for the church, therefore a husband will supply the necessities for his family.

7. Who is to be the keeper of the home or a homemaker? A wife Titus 2:3-5

8. Why did God create woman? In order that man not be alone and have a helper comparable to him. (Gen 2:18)

9. What kind of attitude should a wife use when discussing things with her husband? soft words not harsh and hateful words. Proverbs 15:1

10. According to 1 Cor. 7:3 are wives expected to fulfill their husbands intimate desires? Yes 1 Corinthians 7:3

Also notice:

1 Corinthians 7:2
Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.