Being told to read a lot is considered sound advice. However we ought to be highly selective of the content of whatever material we intend to imbibe. The Bible is often thought of as just a religious and Historical book, but it is much more than that. The Bible is the best guide in how life on earth should be lived by humans. Just as every electronic gadget comes with a manual detailing ways to its most efficient and effective use, the Bible teaches us how to achieve our full potential on earth. The Bible guides us on issues related to marriage, money, hard work and diligence. Today we will discuss some aspects of life the Bible deals with.
Money
Money is an indispensable part of our lives today. It is our medium of exchange of goods and services and without it life would be challenging. The Bible gives us a comprehensive guide on how money should be ‘related’ to. In Luke 16:13, Jesus Christ asserts that money should not be placed at par with God; “You cannot serve both God and money”. This does not imply that money is inherently a bad thing.
That scripture points to the fact that man has a tendency to make money life’s ultimate focus, instead of seeking to do God’s will. In Proverbs 13:11 we can see clearly that God desires that we acquire wealth in the right manner. The verse states that, “Dishonest money dwindles away but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow”. This is evidence to the fact that God is not against the very idea of wealth, He just wants us to gain it according to His will.
Marriage
The Bible is also a manual that guides us on our love life. It teaches us a wife’s responsibility to a husband as well as a husband’s responsibility to a wife. Wives are encouraged to submit to their husbands like the church submits to Christ. Also husbands are required to love their wives even unto death just as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:21-33). The passage in Ephesians 5:21-33 gives us an in-depth look at the institution of marriage and draws an analogy between marriage and Christ’s relationship to the Church.
We can also see instructions on marriage in 1 Corinthians 7. Paul explains to the church of Corinth that one importance of the institution of marriage is that it can prevent the temptation to immorality. He prescribes that each man should have His own wife and each wife should have her own husband. One famous passage in the Bible is Proverbs 31. It outlines the ideal qualities of a good wife and mother. God instituted marriage and he made available in His word what is necessary to have a wonderful one. The Bible is a sufficient marriage manual.
Diligence and work
In as much as the word of God promises us blessings, it also motivates us to work hard and be diligent in our endeavors. The Bible has scriptures that will galvanize us in our pursuit of success through hard work. Colossians 3:23 asks us to do whatever we do as unto God. At our work places we ought to have in mind that no matter who cuts our pay checks, we are working for God and he deserves our absolute best.
In Proverbs 14:23, you would notice that it is not enough to only talk about our dreams, goals and aspirations, it is important to toil for them. Taking the necessary steps to achieve your dreams is far more important than talking about it. The verse is an encouragement to roll up your sleeves, get in the dirt and bring your dreams to life. It (Proverbs 14:23) says, ”In all toil there is profit but mere talk tends only to poverty”. Working very hard towards your dreams cannot be overemphasized but you ought to remember to plan first.
Before you set out on your quest to accomplish your goal, you need to spend time planning. The Bible prescribes that our plans should involve the Lord. “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established”(Proverbs 16:3). Therefore, our plans must be first, submitted to the Lord so that once we work on them with all diligence he would brig=ng success to our doorstep.
Eternity
The most important aspect of life the Bible instructs us on is our quest to live with God in eternity. We are constantly reminded that our life on earth is temporal; A passageway to our eternal home with God. The central theme of the Bible is that came down as Jesus Christ to redeem us from the wages of sin, and we ought to believe in him and His finished work on the cross in order to be with Him in eternity.
“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work”(2 Timothy 3:16). God intends that our righteousness would be as he has prescribed in His word. Therefore we are required to study His word and walk in His instructions in order to live a life worthy of our call.
The Bible is the only manual that would lead us to a fruitful life. Therefore we ought to read, meditate and do our best to walk according to the guidelines it provides through the Holy Ghost that lives in us.