PREPARE FOR FRUITFULNESS

It is important that a husband-to-be work hard and prepare himself before marriage so that he is in a position to be able to provide for his wife and family. It is the task of parents to teach their sons that they cannot fritter away their means but that they have a responsibility to work hard, save, and prepare themselves to support a wife and family.

We should teach our sons as they grow up, that God has placed the responsibility upon them to one day provide for a family. They should know the scripture in 1 Timothy 5:8 that says, "But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." If a young man cannot support a wife and family, he is not yet ready for marriage. It is an indictment against the training of our children if our sons grow up unprepared for this task. It is sad to hear so many young Christian wives share that their husbands do not want them to have any more children because they want them to go out to work to help support the home. This is not biblical and maligns the Word of God.

THE FIRST BLESSING

Deuteronomy 28 is a special portion of the Word of God. It tells us all the blessings that will come upon us if we walk according to God's commandments. Once again, God puts first things first. Before He promises the blessings of the fruit of the ground and the increase of cattle and business, He says in verse 11 that He will first bless the fruit of the womb. This is the highest blessing that God gives.

God is a God of increase. He wants His kingdom to increase on earth. He wants to fill His eternal kingdom. Isaiah 9:7 says, "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end." The Living Bible calls it "His EVER-EXPANDING government."

Remember how God likens His kingdom to a little mustard seed, which is one of the smallest of seeds, but which grows to be one of the largest of trees?  Mark 4:30-32 says, "Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."

God has put this same desire for enlargement and increase within us. A businessman naturally wants to expand his business. A farmer wants more land, more cattle, or more sheep. A pastor wants his church to grow. We desire more knowledge. We desire to increase our wealth. We'd like to live in a bigger home. We naturally desire enlargement, increase, and fruitfulness.

Hosea 10:1 is an interesting scripture: "Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself." If we bring forth fruit unto ourselves and reject fruitfulness for the sake of fulfilling our own desires and pursuits, it will only produce emptiness. A vine that is empty and bears no fruit is useless. A fruitful vine gives blessing to many. What does God call the wife? A "fruitful vine". The Hebrew translation is literally a "prolific vine". (Psalm 128:3)