A Husband's Role in MarriageНамуна

Be a Provider

There’s a scene in one of my favorite movies where the father of the bride is meeting the groom for the first time.

The father asks the young man, “What do you do for a living?”

“Independent communications consultant,” the young man replies.

“Humph,” the Father quips. “Code word for unemployed.”

While it’s easy to understand the father’s concern, is a man’s job really what qualifies him to be a husband? If you would believe the movies, marital happiness is directly proportional to income potential. Therefore, marrying a doctor, lawyer, or CEO is much better than marrying a plumber, bus driver, or … independent communications consultant.

No disrespect to anyone’s profession, but income levels are not a great predictor of marital satisfaction. If they were, the rich and famous among us would have the happiest, most long-lasting marriages around. But they seem to have the same struggles as everyone else.

A husband doesn’t need to make a ton of money or be in charge of a major corporation. It also doesn’t matter if your wife has a job or makes more money than you. It is about owning the responsibility of ensuring your family is provided for.

Brant Hansen, author of The Men We Need, points out that God's first assignment to man was to care for the garden. Caring for our garden means we must nurture, protect, and provide for it. If our garden needs water, we water it. If it needs fertilizer, we fertilize it. If plants need more sun, we move them into better positions.

A husband who idly sits by and lets others carry the load of tending his garden is failing in the very first responsibility ever given to man.

How are you “nourishing” your wife? Do you know what she needs you to provide most? If not, ask her.