Counsels on Self-Identity

Counsel #21 — Manly Duties

Picture: Counsel #21 — Manly Duties CI 150.1

Imagine walking into a home after a long day to find dishes piled in the sink, laundry overflowing, and tension hanging in the air. Now picture the same scene, but with a husband who notices the mess, rolls up his sleeves, and helps out without being asked. That shift, although simple, is a powerful game-changer. CI 150.2

Too often, the idea of a “man’s role” in the home has been wrongly tied to passivity in the domestic space. Yet true masculinity isn’t threatened by using a broom or changing a diaper. In fact, Christ-like manhood embraces service! Jesus Himself, the King of Kings, knelt to wash feet. Was that beneath Him? No. It was leadership through love. Whether you’re a husband lightening your wife’s load, or a teenage son cleaning up without your mom asking twice, these acts speak volumes. Helping around the house isn’t just about “helping her” as much as it’s about owning your shared responsibility and, with maturity and grace, even going above and beyond. At the end of the day, you might not get much recognition for how many hours you worked outside the home, but they will remember how you showed up inside of it.^[165] CI 150.3

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Proverbs 10:4 NIV CI 150.4

“These need to learn that no man or woman is degraded by honest toil.” Ellen White in To Be Like Jesus , p. 234 CI 150.5

Reflect: When was the last time you served someone at home without being asked? CI 150.6