What is man, or rather who is a man? A man is described as an adult human male.
An adult human male? Sorry, I beg to defer. I insist that not every adult human male is a man. One can be human, male and adult but not yet a man. After all the bible describes every human being, be it male or female as man or rather mankind. The question therefore is this, is manhood therefore a matter of gender, age or state of mind.
Methinks it is the third. It is called maturity. A real man has to be mentally capable. The bible also teaches that a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing … Emphasis here is Man. By this definition therefore, a man is he who has the required the capabilities to attain the status of a husband and that state of fatherhood. The mystery here therefore is that when an adult male starts looking for a wife, he has spiritually attained the state of manhood. Not, when he finds the wife, but when he starts looking.
Now, the search here is not just for a man, but a responsible man. Who therefore is a responsible man?
Again the bible teaches us in the book of Psalms 128, that
Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6Â Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel
From the above, one can therefore deduce that a responsible man, is one who recognises his creator, respects Him and has a respectful attitude towards Him.
As his wife is a fruitful vine around his house, and his children olive plants around his table.
 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: This reveals that this is a man who has accommodation for his family. And he rises in the night while others of his household slept to make sure his family is safe and his property secured.
Thy children like olive plants round about thy table: He has children and provides food on their table, roof over their head and clothing’s on their back. He makes sure that their material and spiritual needs are met. 1st Timothy 5:8. One who cannot provide for his family …
He leaves his family a googly inheritance and a worthy legacy in them. meaning therefore that a responsible man leads his family up the road of righteousness and teaches them the Word and ways of the Lord. He does this in words and exemplary lifestyle. He has an altar in his house unto God. He teaches them to pray and worship Him in adoration and in praise. He teaches them to elders, other folks, the laws of the land and most importantly to respect themselves. To find peace and love in everything they do and every where they go and plant same. He teaches them to be bold, and have confidence in their lives.
A responsible man lives for himself and the society. He cares for others, especially those who are not so privileged. He knows that he is not successful until his success has succeeded. He puts his financial, material, talent, time and spiritual for the betterment of his family, society and faith
A responsible man is a spiritual man and a pillar of his faith.
