Romans 12:8
“... he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
As Christian wives, mothers and homemakers, instead of living for the things of this world, we are to stay heavenly minded. We talked about contentment and thankfulness previously and I want to talk about a practical way to apply that, which is to live more simply.
This can include keeping a simple homemaker schedule and daily routines as mentioned previously, as well as not spending more than we or our husbands make by keeping a budget, not overwhelming our homes with too much stuff (we don't have to be extreme minimalists either though), etc.
We can also keep our conversations polite, clean and edifying. Practice good manners and basic etiquette. We can choose to let go of the need to try and keep up with all of the fashions of this world and choose to live simple instead. 1 Corinthians 7:31 says,
31 "And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."
Wives and husbands can easily get caught up in the things of this world in order to please one another as Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 7:
32 "But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried [referring to an unmarried believer who is fully dedicated to the work of the ministry] careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."
As a wife and homemaker, you will have some worldly cares in order to please your husband. However, it doesn't have to be extreme if we choose to live more simply. If you have a godly husband, that will also make it easier for you and your family to live more simply and more focused on spiritual things as well.
However, an unbelieving husband or carnally minded husband could be won over by our godliness (Christ living in and through us) - our chaste conversation, our modesty, living simply, being content and thankful in all things.
1 Corinthians 7:13-14
"13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.”
1 Peter 3:1-2
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear."
Paul also mentions in Romans 12:8 "giving with simplicity." What does this mean? It basically means to give without ulterior motive, pure, sincere, and unambiguous. We should be giving to our families with pure motives. We should serve and obey our husbands with pure motives. Just like we give the gospel to others with the pure motive that they will hopefully believe it and then have eternal life! Let's keep in mind also that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Paul in Acts 20:35 said,
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
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