If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)
Families are struggling now, but this is nothing new. Consider Paul’s advice to Timothy about taking care of family. Bottom line up front: a man who calls himself a Christian and doesn’t take care of his family is worse than an infidel — a pagan, heathen, unbeliever.
I’ve heard that as many as one out of eight people in America doesn’t get enough to eat. Frankly, in our rich nation, this is hard to imagine. However, the evidence clearly indicates that many heads of households are shirking responsibility and failing to take care of their own families.
Maybe you’re reading this and thinking, This doesn’t describe me. Not so fast. Besides the material necessities you provide for your family, how are you doing? Are you spending enough time with your family? Are you leading your spouse and kids in how to live? Do they feel loved by you, or do they feel that all or most of your energies get poured into your work? If these are convicting questions, what are you going to do about it?