Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 85

March 25;        I Corinthians 7:32;          140/260;        ‘A Win Win Situation’

I Corinthians 7:32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord — how he may please the Lord.

Chapter 7 of I Corinthians teaches on marriage and the relationship between husbands and wives.  Paul in verses 32-33 tells us that there are advantages to being single and advantages being married.  If a person chooses not to be married, and they are a Christian, their time is their own to serve the Lord.  Obviously there would be certain obligations like work, but a single person would have more time available for the things of God.  This person does not have a wife and children who need their time and attention.  They can make good use of their time for Jesus.  Verse 33 teaches that a married man ‘cares about the things of the world – how he may please his wife.’  There are advantages to a man who is married as well.  Genesis 2:18 says that it is not good for a man to be alone.  I would think that the norm would be for a man to marry more than for a man to be single.  He may have less time to devote to ministry, but the Bible teaches very clearly that a husband is to love his wife and train his children in the things of the Lord.  If he does this as a vital part of his ministry, the married man is fulfilling the will of the Lord as well.  Godly marriages, with the husband loving his wife and treating her as Jesus treats him.  Their children that grow up in church, knowing the Word of God and taught proper behavior.  These Christian families are a powerful witness to the world.  The married man’s ministry to his family and using time that is available for ministry is incredibly important as well. Both are vital and used by the Lord.