Journey to Surrender

I have a few additional thoughts I want to tag onto yesterday’s post about giving to your spouse above and beyond the minimum. I described this as meeting their needs “and then some.”

Reaping the Harvest of Generosity

Here’s a related encouragement from the Apostle Paul:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:9-10

I would add the marital qualifier, “especially to your spouse.” We have a biblical promise that if we practice the habit of generosity in our marriages, we will eventually see the fruit of our efforts blossom into a harvest of things like:

• Your spouse will feel love and honored
• You will have the satisfaction of knowing you have loved them well
• You will make it easier for your spouse to be generous in return
• You will create tremendous positive momentum in the level of trust, intimacy and peace in your home

Having Culture of Honor

The Apostle Paul reminds us of the link between love and honor:

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:10

When you develop a habit of giving much more than the minimum, you honor your spouse. Does your husband or wife feel a sense of honor from you in your words and actions? Do they know that their needs are more important than your own as a result of your efforts and attitudes? Are you brave enough to ask them such questions?

What would the atmosphere in your relationship be like if you both strived to outdo one another in showing honor, respect and deference to each other? How would your marriage be transformed if you both subscribed to the idea of giving "and then some?"

Trust me, it would be amazing!

It may seem like I’m belaboring this point, but it is only because I believe there is a powerful principle here that can hugely benefit every marriage, from the very strongest to the struggling.


If you want to create positive, joyful, god-honoring momentum in your marriage, take a pledge to do “and them some” for a month. See if what I say isn’t true.