Knowing Your Loves

In this space two weeks ago I mentioned a book that I had been reading by Steve Farrar titled, King Me. I will not use today as an opportunity to do an all out book review, but I did want to mention one of the more profound aspects that I read in this book.
My wife and I are both reading through the book of 1 Samuel right now for our quiet times. This is a great book and loaded with much personal application. Within the first 8 chapters we see one common trait of the men who were the spiritual leaders of Israel; they were terrible fathers.
In the lives of both Samuel and Eli we see that they were men who had very ungodly offspring. The first thought that I have on this is why? How could men who were called to lead God's people in the way they worshipped Him, not lead their families? Farrar makes a keen observation in his book; these two men loved the ministry more than they loved their families.

"God said his (Eli's) most important work was in the home. But he loved the ministry more than he loved the hard work with his sons. He wouldn't deny himself and take up his cross." pg. 66

Now I know that the previous quote specifically mentions Eli, however on the very next page in this book, Farrar makes the case against Samuel. It was actually because Samuel's sons "did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after gain, took bribes and perverted justice" (1 Samuel 8:3 ESV), that Israel demanded a king. Farrar concludes that if Samuel had been more faithful in nurturing his family, Israel wouldn't have ended up in the predicament they would later find themselves in.
Some of you will consider that to be a reach. I would say if that is the case you aren't truly willing to look at where your priorities in ministry lie. Your first call as a minister is to love and disciple your family, even if it costs you your job.
Many people disagree with that statement and that is fine, but their disagreements aren't based on scripture. Their disagreements are based on fear of losing their jobs. When Paul laid out the God given qualifications for being a minister the first practical qualification on the list was how a man led his family.

"He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God's church?" 1 Timothy 3:4-5 ESV

That verse is convicting enough on its own without additional comment. My plea for ministers in particular and fathers in general is that they would love their families as Christ loved the Church. That they would realize that their first love on earth and their priority in life and ministry is to love and disciple their family. When the men leading our churches today accept that challenge and reorder their priorities, the world will take notice and revival will take place.