Marriage And Wisdom For The Oneness Series

Life Simplified

Marriage and Wisdom for the Oneness

October 30, 2011

INTRODUCTION

Studies Find Big Benefits in Marriage

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER

Published: April 10, 1995

Single people may simply not know what's good for them, a recent group of studies suggests.

A body of demographic research presented at the conference of the Population Association of America here today indicates that marriage offers dramatic emotional, financial and even health benefits over the single life and cohabitation.

"Cohabitation has some but not all of the benefits of marriage," said Linda Waite, the association's president, in an address to members in which she argued that the married enjoy better health, more money and more satisfying sex.

An enhanced commitment that comes naturally with marriage, she said, increases all levels of the support that individuals bring to their relationship and lives. "Cohabitation does not generally imply a lifetime commitment to stay together," she said. "Cohabitants are more likely to assume that each partner is responsible for supporting him or herself."

Financial: In terms of money, her research found that married couples were generally more financially well off than couples who simply lived together, because they were much more likely to pool money and invest in the future than were couples who merely cohabitated.

Standard of Living: Increased material well being, she argued, trickles down into investments in better medical care, safer surroundings, better food and other things that raise the standard of living and reduce stress.

Health: The study also traced better health to marriage. Divorced men had twice the rate of alcohol abuse that married men had, and almost as many indulged in other "risk taking" behavior. Divorced women showed similar patterns, though at lower rates.

Meaning: "Marriage may provide individuals with a sense of meaning in their lives," Dr. Waite said, "and a sense of obligation to others, inhibiting risky behaviors and encouraging healthy ones."

The Biggest Surprise: The study revealed the fact that married people report having more and better sex than single people have.

This was breaking news but proverbs understood the meaning of Married with Benefits.

Pr.18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

 A Proverbs-Driven Life embraces marriage as the most significant of relationships worth careful nurturing.

Wisdom for chasing the oneness

Gen 2:20-24

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called 'woman,'for she was taken out of man."

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. NIV

I. In a Proverbs-driven marriage the husband nurtures the marriage when . . .

A. Values his wife highly -

Prov 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

Prov 19:14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

* He realizes that she is a gift from God

* Especially when she proves to be prudent

* Never seeks to harm her.

B. Allows his wife to prosper

Prov 31:31

31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

NIV

* Allows his wife the opportunity to develop her own abilities

* Lets her reap the benefits of her own labors

C. Praises her profusely

Prov 31:28-29

Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

NIV

* Praises her frequently

* Does not take her for granted

D. Trusts his wife implicitly

Prov 31:11

11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

NIV

* Demonstrates a willingness to trust her

* In such areas as her intelligence, her faithfulness, her abilities

* Is not jealous or suspicious

E. Content his wife's love

Prov 5:15-20

15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.

16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19 A loving doe, a graceful deer -- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.