The Preacher's Attitude Toward His Wife

The gospel preacher has the right to have, or not have, a wife. Listen to Paul, "Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, a well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas" (I Cor. 9:5)? Truly, he that "...findeth a wife findeth a good thing..." (Prov.18:22a), and should remember that "...a prudent wife is from the Lord" (Prov. 19:14b). He should want "...a virtuous woman,..." for "...her price is far above rubies" and he can "...trust in her...." He knows that "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain..." therefore he wants "...a woman that feareth the Lord..." (Prov. 31:10, 11a, 30).

"Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love" (Prov. 5:15-19).

The preacher who so loves his wife will try to understand her, will be attentive to her needs and desires, and not so immerse himself in his work that he forgets her. She needs his presence and help in the home, especially when there are children.

When there is discord in the home the preacher should "Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words" (Prov. 7:4,5). For "...the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell" (Prov. 5:3-5). "...there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot and subtil of heart" (Prov. 7:10). "With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him" (Prov. 7:21). "Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chanbers of death" (Prov. 7::27). "So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent" (Prov. 6:29).

"Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord" (Psalms 128:1-4).