How You Can Manage a Household

SHARING THE LOAD

Toward the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus said:  "You must love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)  Applying this counsel in the family helps enormously in household management. After all, who are our nearest , dearest neighbors if not those who share the family dwelling-husbands and wives, parents and children?  How can family members show love for one another? 

One way is for each family member to do his fairs share of household chores.  Thus, children need to be taught to put things away after using them, whether these be clothes or toys.  It may take tie and effort to tidy the bed each morning, but it is a big help  in the management of the household. Of course, some minor, temporary disarray is unavoidable, but all can work together to keep the home reasonably neat, as well as to clean up after meals.  Laziness, self-indulgence, and grudging, reluctant spirit have a negative effect on everyone.  (Proverbs 26:14-16)  On the other hand, a cheerful, willing spirit nourishes a happy family life.  "God loves a cheerful giver." -2 Corinthians 9:7. 

Consideration and love will help prevent a situation that is a serious problem in some homes. Mothers have traditionally been the mainstay of home-life.  They have cared for the children, cleaned the home, done the family laundry, and purchased and cooked the food. In some lands, women have also customarily worked the fields, sold produce in the market, or contributed in other ways to the family budget. Even where this was not the custom previously, necessity has compelled millions of married women to find employment outside the home. A wife and mother who works hard in these different ares deserves commendation.  Like the "capable wife" described in the Bible, her days are well filled.  "The bread of laziness she does not eat." (Proverbs 31:10, 27) This does not mean, though, that a  woman is the only one who work in the home. After a husband and a wife have both worked all day outside the home, should the wife alone bear the burden of work in the house while the husband and the rest of the family relax?  Surely not.  (Compare 2 Corinthians 8:13, 14)  So, for example, if the  mother is going go get a meal ready, she may be grateful  if other family members help with the preparation by the setting the table, doing some of the shopping, or cleaning up a little around the house.  Yes, all can share the responsibility. -Compare Galatians 6:2. 

Some may say: "Where I live it is not the role of a man to do such things."  That  may be true,  but would it not be good to give this matter some consideration?  When Jehovah God originated the family , he did not mandate that certain work would be done only by women. On one occasion, when the faithful man Abraham was visited by special messengers from Jehovah, he personally shared in the preparation  and serving of a meal  for the visitors.  (Genesis 18:1-8) The Bible counsels:  "Husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies."  (Ephesians 5:28) If, at the end of the day, the husband is tired and wants to rest, is it not likely that the wife feels the same way, perhaps more so?  (1 Peter 3:7)  Then would it not be appropriate and loving for the husband to help out at home? -Philippians 2:3, 4. 

Jesus is the best example of one who pleased God and brought happiness to his associations. Although he never married, Jesus is a good example for husband, as well as for wives and children.  He said of himself:  "The Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister," that is to serves others.  (Matthew 20:28)  How delightful are those families in which all members cultivate such an attitude! 

Next time: How You Can Manage a Household/CLEANLINESS-WHY SO IMPORTANT?

From the book: The Secret of FAMILY HAPPINESS