Thursday, December 29, 2005

Just Due It


I have noticed how much happier I am when I render due benevolence. Have you rendered lately? Part of proper rendering is understanding what is due benevolence, with the emphasis on due. Wives need treatment very different than the nature of the man. Sometimes I haven't understood it. After all, she is from Venus, right? Some other planet, that we know. I have figured out that my wife likes to be appreciated. She does a lot that deserves appreciation, but I can ratchet up the expectation level past Pluto, and no one from Venus can meet that standard. I think it is a matter of just sorting out what Scripture says and doing it. You know 1 Corinthians 7:3,4 says, "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. " That "let the husband render" part is a command. She must be given God-designed benevolence, a unique womanly stew, ingredients hard to come by for most men. Nike had that ad campaign a few years back; maybe they still do, "Just Do It." Regarding rendering due benevolence, victory will come in a marriage if we just do it. Most men might get around to it after a bit of complaining about how hard they have it. Notice how I switched to third person when I talked about the bad stuff. After all, I don't complain, I just sigh very loudly, and act like I've had it rough. I'm working at getting due benevolence, but is that the command? I guess not.

4 comments:

Jeff Voegtlin said...

It makes me smile to read this exhortation because it's kind of humorous. The sad part is that it's true. We know how to take good care of ourselves, it's taking care of our wives that is "hard." I'm always very convicted by the verse that says, "Men ought to love their wives as they do themselves." I know how much I love myself and give myself due benevolence!

Jeff Voegtlin said...

Oh, by the way, if you don't want everyone to know your astrological sign on your profile page, don't tell blogger when your birthday is.

You don't have to post this comment, I just knew you would see it before anyone else and was not in an easy position to use my email program :)

I really have enjoyed your posts already.

Unknown said...

Excellent post. I was listening to your sermon via 'Audio Files' on Isa. 3 - - men acting like boys, not wanting to take charge, relinqueshing their role of leadership to their wives (or women - in general). I guess it is a gross sin for a man not to render unto his wife 'due benevolence.' I know I need to be reminded of this Biblical truth.

DaCatster said...

Sorry as a wife I have some different thoughts on this subject. It isn't apprecation what we are looking for. It is just simple listening.

I could go on, but I will let the rest go to the fact you three are men, and you will think what you want, and once again a woman will be ignored :0)