Recently I listened to a sermon and the topic was, “what are men supposed to be like?”
How are men supposed to act? That subject alone could be the subject of many sermons!
The preacher used the following scripture passage to address the question:
13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
I Corinthians 16:13-14 (NASB
So this post is dedicated to my fellow men whether you are single or married.
I want to talk about how men are supposed to act with money.
I want us to discuss the subject of manly money management.
If you are married, you are in the leadership role already by God’s design
If you are single, you need to learn to take control of your finances now so you can be prepared to lead your family.
So let’s unpack this verse and see how it could be applied to help us achieve manly money management:
1. Be on the Alert
Some other translations indicate to “be on guard” or “to be watchful“. When it comes to your money, how well are you keeping track of it?
Do you balance your checkbook every month? Do you keep track of your expenses?
Do you plan how the money will be spent ahead of time? Do you have a good understanding of your investments?
You need to pay attention to your finances. (Proverbs 27:23)
2. Stand Firm in the Faith
The idea here is stand firm in what you believe, in the Word of God, the sure foundation of life.
The Bible has a lot to say about money and possessions.
In His Word, God has laid out the best way to manage the money He has entrusted to us.
You and I would be foolish to ignore His advice. (I Chronicles 29:11, 14-16)
3. Act like Men, be Strong
Men are supposed to take the leadership role at home. This means you lead the discussion on money as well.
Where is your family going? What are your goals?
You can’t abandon your wife financially by leaving her alone with the burden of managing your finances.
You have to be actively involved in money matters. And guess what: if there is a need to work extra hours or take a second job, you are up.
You take the lead in making the necessary sacrifices.
It is your job to make sure your family is well taken care of financially (I Timothy 5:8).
4. Let all that you do be done in Love
Even though you are in the leadership role that does not make you a dictator. Your wife has an equal vote.
You need to work together on your money, make decisions together. Love your family well by saving for emergencies, retirement, and college.
Finally, love your family well by taking care of what happens after you are gone. Make sure you have the proper level of life insurance and that you complete a will.
Love them well to the end. (I Cor 13:4-7)
So What?
What do you think? We men can get worked up about a lot of things in life that have no bearing on the destiny of our family.
We can get really excited about our toys (cars, electronics, and man caves) and watching our sports.
But what if we were at least half as passionate about what happens with our finances and our families?
Imagine that for a moment. Are you ready to man-up with your finances?
Are you ready for manly money management? If so, let me know, I can I help.
“There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.”
Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. President
This post is also available in: Spanish
