Godly husbands must provide for family, lead spiritually, says Bisi Adewale

Nigerian cleric and marriage counsellor, Bisi Adewale, has clarified his recent remarks that a man’s first duty in marriage is spiritual leadership and not financial provision, following reactions on social media.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Adewale said his comments were misunderstood by some people who interpreted them to mean that men should not provide for their families.

According to him, provision remains a biblical responsibility for every husband, but his message was intended to emphasise the importance of spiritual leadership within the home.

“Some people interpreted that statement to mean that I was teaching that men should not provide for their families. That was never my message, my intention, or my belief,” he said.

Quoting 1 Timothy 5:8, Adewale stressed that the Bible clearly commands men to provide for their households.

“A man who deliberately refuses to provide for his family is acting contrary to biblical principles,” he stated.

The cleric maintained that husbands should work hard to meet the needs of their families, including food, shelter, education and security.

“Provision is important. Provision is biblical. Provision is necessary. However, provision alone is not enough,” he added.

Explaining his earlier comments, Adewale said he was referring to divine order and responsibility rather than ranking spiritual leadership above provision in terms of importance.

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“The first assignment God gave man was not to make money. It was to walk with God, obey God, represent God and lead according to God’s instructions,” he said.

He cited biblical examples, including Adam, Abraham and Joshua, to support his position that men are called to provide spiritual direction for their families.

According to him, a husband is expected to lead by example, teach God’s word and guide his household in the ways of God.

Adewale warned that financial provision without spiritual leadership could leave families materially successful but spiritually empty.

“A man can provide money and still fail in leadership. He can buy food but fail to teach values. He can pay school fees but fail to build character,” he said.

He added that the ideal husband, according to biblical teachings, is both a provider and a spiritual leader.

“The Bible never presents provision and leadership as opposites. The godly husband is expected to do both.

“Provision takes care of the family today. Spiritual leadership shapes the family for generations,” he stated.

Adewale’s clarification comes after a video clip from a sermon he delivered at a men’s gathering went viral online, generating debate over the role of men in marriage.