Family First, Then Work: A Divine Priority
By Dickson Tumuramye
God’s Design for Family:
A First Blessing
The very first
relationship God established in the Garden of Eden was the relationship between
man and woman, a family. In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good for the
man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” In creating Eve as
a companion for Adam, God established family as the very first institution,
preceding work and society. This divine order emphasizes the importance of
prioritizing family relationships over all other responsibilities.
Even before Adam and Eve
were given the task of cultivating the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:15, they
were called into fellowship with one another and with God. The work of the
family, building strong relationships, providing a loving environment, and
raising children, was the top priority. Only after the family unit was
established did God give them work to do in the garden. This illustrates that
family was God’s primary focus and that work was secondary. The foundation of
family is deeply rooted in the first act of creation, where relationships came
before labor.
The Priority of Family
Over Work
In today’s world, it’s
easy to become consumed with work, often putting our time and energy into our careers
and neglecting the needs of our families, though we claim to be working for
them. However, the Bible clearly encourages us to keep our priorities in line.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs, “But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This
scripture reminds us that when we prioritize God and His kingdom, everything
else, work, health, and even family, will find its place in His plan. God calls
us to place Him first, and then, by extension, our families. When this order is
followed, we can rest assured that the other aspects of life will align in due
time.
During school holidays,
this principle becomes even more relevant. As children are home from school,
it's a perfect opportunity to strengthen the bonds of family, to invest in
their lives, and to lead them in faith. The time away from school provides a chance
to shift focus from the demands of work to the nurturing of relationships.
While work is important, God designed the family as the priority. If we’re not
careful, we can allow the busyness of life to cause us to miss precious moments
with our children, which will never return.
Raising Children: a Great
Task
The primary role of
parents is to raise and nurture their children more than anything else. After
all, we all work hard because of our families. In Proverbs 22:6, we are
reminded, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they
are old they will not turn from it.” Parents are entrusted with the sacred
duty of nurturing their children spiritually, emotionally, economically, and
physically. This responsibility is so much more than providing food and
shelter. It involves shaping their hearts, minds, and souls to know God and to
live out His will in the world. This takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice to
ensure you are into your family strongly.
During the school
holidays, it’s a perfect opportunity to focus on this ministry of raising
children. Time spent with our children should be intentional, filled with
moments that help them grow in their career, faith, develop good character, and
bond with us. Every interaction, whether through teaching them scripture,
engaging in various activities, or simply spending quality time together, is an
investment in their future. Children are our heritage, and as such, they
deserve our time and attention.
Making the Most of School
Holidays
With children on break,
parents are given the gift of time to reconnect with their families. In the
busyness of daily life, it’s easy to forget how valuable these moments are. The
holidays provide a natural opportunity to reevaluate and refocus on what really
matters, our families. Whether it’s creating new family traditions, playing
games, or sitting down for meals together, these moments can become lasting
memories that draw us closer together. As parents, especially fathers, leading
their family during these holidays by example in love and service is a powerful
way to honor the family-first principle.
Conclusion
As we move through this
holiday season, let us remember that God’s plan for our lives places family at
the very core of His design. Whether it’s through the relationship between
husband and wife, parents and children, or extended family, God has created family
as the first ministry we are called to nurture. In the hustle and bustle of
work and everyday life, these moments with our children are irreplaceable. By
focusing on the time, we have with them during school holidays, we honor the
divine order that God has set in place for us, placing family first and
trusting that everything else will fall into its rightful place.
The writer is the
executive director of Hope Regeneration Africa, a parenting coach, marriage
counselor, and founder – Men of Purpose mentorship program.
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