HOW TO MANAGE YOUR HOME.

by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Today, we will focus on what God has to say about the woman in relation to home management. As you plug into this truth, God’s purpose for your home will be accomplished in Jesus mighty name! The home is very precious in the sight of the Lord, and He has laid down principles in His Word for both the man and the woman to follow if they must find joy and fulfilment in their home.

FOR THE WOMAN

Make Your Home a Loveable Place

God created the home to be a unique place. The first home ever created was Eden, and it means ‘delight’, ‘pleasure’ or ‘enjoyment’. It is a place with no substitute, and the Bible describes this first home the first couple, Adam and Eve, had (the Garden of Eden) as having a river there, which symbolises refreshing. From this, we can deduce that the home is meant to be a place of refreshing. The Word of God says, And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places (Isaiah 32:18). God’s original intent is for the home to be a place of peace and quietness. Quietness, not in the sense of silence but of rest. You will agree with me that to a large extent, a woman determines the atmosphere of the home. Therefore, if the home is to experience that, then the woman has the responsibility to:

Be Hospitable

Hospitality means ‘cordial and generous reception of or disposition toward guests’. Hospitality must be the rule of the game in your family. Always be ready to be a blessing to others, extend your hand to the needy, have an open heart and warm welcome to friends, relatives, especially strangers. Who knows, you may be entertaining angels unaware. The Bible says, Be not forgetful to entertain stranger: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).Ladies, mothers and women should take note of this: if you are irritable, untouchable or cannot accommodate people or be a blessing to others in your home, you are not hospitable. It can be seen in your actions, attitude and the way you address people. Your mere look at visitors can tell them if they are welcome or not. No matter how hospitable a man may be, if his wife is not, it will affect him negatively because the woman is the one people will always meet at home. Abraham’s family is a very good example of a home of hospitality, and that terminated twenty-six years of barrenness in their lives. (Genesis 18:1-10).

Feed the family with quality food

The woman is responsible for preparing quality food for her household, not just waking up in the morning and dashing off to the office, leaving everything for the house-help to do. That could be very risky. Proverbs 31 describes the virtuous woman as one who always ensures that members of her household are adequately taken care of. It says, Who can find a virtuous woman?… She will do him good and not evil… She riseth also while it yet night, and giveth meat to her household…(Proverbs 31:10, 12, 15). A popular adage that says, ‘The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’. Woman, your family is what they eat. If they are healthy, it can be practically traced to their eating habits.It is not enough to feed members of your family with food; you need to feed them right. Is the food they eat nutritious? Or do you give them just anything? As it is written, …wisdom is profitable to direct (Ecclesiastes 10:10). In this day and age of processed foods and snacks (fast food), please secure the health of your family by feeding them with good food. Remember, ‘garbage in, garbage out’. Eve fed her husband; unfortunately, she fed him with poison instead of life. What are you feeding your family with?

Be Financially Accountable

Financial rest does not only come when you are a millionaire; it comes by being a good money manager. As a woman of the house, you must have a financial plan; otherwise, you are creating room for financial pain. A wise man once said, ‘Pain is a sign of disorder’. Financial pain is a sign of disorder in your spending. Therefore, prioritise your spending and maximise your income. You do not need to put yourself into such pain getting into debt.

Compliment your Husband

One other way to manage your home is by an often-neglected key, and that is compliment. Every human being loves to be praised, either for what he has done or simply for who he is. The key is to locate the good qualities in your husband and members of your family and focus on them. Then express your appreciation for those good qualities by the words of your mouth. Show appreciation for both small and great acts of kindness by your words and surprising little gifts that act as hobs in the love wheel of your family.

However, you need the help of God to do this assignment effectively. Giving your life to God through the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way of getting the true help you desire to manage your home. So, if you are not yet born again, say this prayer with me: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God, and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

• Pastor Mrs Faith Oyedepo