Proverbs 31: 11 The heart
of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.
Proverbs 31: 11.
The NIV says that he has full
confidence in her. Regardless of translation,
the verse describes a marriage in which the husband totally believes in his
wife, and his wife is a woman he can totally believe in.
Thus, this verse gives a two element formula for
marital prosperity: Trust + Safety =
Prosperity
Trust is a choice, an unearned gift. A husband doesn’t trust his wife because she
has earned his trust. He trusts his wife because he chooses to have faith in
her. That’s why one man repeatedly
gives his means and heart to a woman whom he knows is betraying him, while
another man doubts and decries a woman who has always been absolutely faithful.
Therefore, my brothers, the first ingredient in your
marriage’s profit margin is entirely up to you.
The second part, sisters, is up to you.
It’s up to you to make it safe for him to trust
you. It’s up to you to deserve his
trust.
If a man doesn’t trust his wife, he’ll never be as
successful as he could be, because he can’t enjoy the fullness of God’s favor.
Husbands, likewise,
dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker
vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may
not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)
It isn’t safe for spouses to trust one another if one
of them is being deceptive. Such a
breach of trust is also a breach of God’s favor.
You cover the altar
of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying; [but God] does not regard the
offering anymore, nor receive it with goodwill from your hands.
Yet you say, “For
what reason?”
Because the Lord
has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have
dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. (Malachi 2: 13, 14)
When a husband trusts his wife AND the wife is
worthy of his trust, then the two work together as one. And oneness in marriage is the path to
dominion, to success, to prosperity.
Husbands and wives, my brother and sisters, ya’ll
are in this together. There is no more “I”
in your team. If you want it, then YA’LL
go get it ------ together. Have each
other’s backs. Hold each other’s
hands. Trust one another. Make it safe to trust one another.
It’s not just good for your relationship. It’s also good business.
---Anderson
T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and
consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth
Networking Organization (SAYNO) and director of rural leadership
development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
To hear sermons, read devotions, and learn more
about the ministry at Hall Memorial CME Church, visit www.hallmemorialcme.blogspot.com .
If this message helps or touches you, please help support
this ministry. Send a donation of any amount by check or money order.
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116
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