Read Ephesians 5:21–6:4

If you are involved in church or religious activities to the point that your home life is hurting, you’re too involved—and you’re heading for trouble. Look at what you’re doing in the light of eternity. God is primarily interested in the quality, not quantity, of our spiritual fruit. He looks behind our hurry and hustle...to our motive, our inner purpose.

What if He examined your home life today? What would He find about your relationship with your wife, my friend? Are you loving her “as Christ loved the church”? Are you showing honour to her and building up her character? Wives—how’s the inner beauty of a “gentle and quiet spirit” progressing? Does the man of your home know you’re really behind him? Does he sense your undivided loyalty?

And dare I speak to the children? Do you promote harmony and happiness...or have you created a pressure-packed atmosphere? If you are among the younger ones in the home, are you showing respect...are you giving your folks the assurance that you’re submissive and willing? Look over Ephesians 6:1–4 as a family tonight. Discuss it together.

One final reminder. The church can seldom resurrect what the home puts to death. The very best proof of the genuineness of your Christianity occurs within the framework of your home. If you must become over-involved—become over-involved in your role as a character builder in the home. Believe me—the church will stay healthy and strong as long as its homes are healthy and strong. God’s priority system seems to begin at the grassroots level–at home. Cultivate that soil with care.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.