1 Timothy 5:8 – But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
In the United States, there is a growing crisis of adults not launching into marriage and parenting. In some cultures, things are even more dire. (1)
In Italy, a 75-year-old mother won a court case to evict her two single sons, ages 40 and 42, who refused to move out of her house, pay any bills, or help with any chores. In another case, Italy’s Supreme Court rejected the case of a 35-year-old part-time musician who wanted to have more money, so he sued his parents for financial support.
These kinds of boys who can shave are called bamboccioni (big babies) in Italy. Nearly 70% of Italians ages 18-34 still live with their parents, including 72.6% of men and 66% of women. Many cultures are so broken when it comes to marriage that the only hope is a return to the Bible and God’s plan for adulthood, marriage, and family.
The marriage and family of Adam and Eve was perfect. It was God who made them male and female, brought them together, and served like a father walking Eve down the aisle and pastor officiating the first wedding ceremony. Moses then breaks from the report of the first family for a commentary that is intended for us about leaving our father and mother, something that did not apply to Adam and Eve because they were created by God rather than birthed by parents.
Importantly, God’s perfect, divine design for marriage and family is transcultural. Given before sin entered the world, or various human cultures came into being, there is no way to excuse ignoring God’s Word because it is different than their culture. Various races and cultures exert strong pressure upon marriages and generations in the family, which is a form of worldliness to be repented of.
What are some things you assumed were “normal” in your birth family that you are now learning were possibly not healthy or godly?
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