Famous Nigerian cleric, Lawrence Onochie, has warned men against allowing their wives to carry the financial responsibility of the home for an extended period, saying such situations can quietly damage marriages if not properly handled.
Onochie said that even the most supportive and loving wives are not naturally equipped to shoulder the primary financial burden of a household long-term, noting that the strain often shows up emotionally before it is openly expressed.
According to him, many men facing financial hardship already go through intense internal pressure and women lack the emotional intelligence or communication skills to process or articulate the strain they are feeling effectively, which can further strain marital relationships.
He explained that this phase is particularly sensitive for men, making it a period where words, reactions and perceived disrespect can linger and cause long-term damage.
The clergyman stressed that men must be intentional about rebuilding their finances and reassuming their role as providers, describing it as both a personal responsibility and a moral obligation.
He warned that prolonged failure to provide for one’s household could threaten family stability and marital harmony.
He said, “I don’t care how supportive your wife is. If she carries the burden, the financial burden of the house for too long, it will take its toll on your marriage. I don’t care how supportive, how godly she is.
“I don’t care how much she loves you. Why? She’s not built for it, and unfortunately, most women don’t have the wisdom required in that phase of their relationship.
“They are feeling genuine stress, but they don’t know how to communicate it well so that their communication can build, not destroy. Because at that phase of the life of a man, he’s more sensitive than ever. Anything you say will be held against you at the court of law.
“Anything you say will be remembered at that time because it’s an extremely sensitive period and phase of their lives. So as a man, you have to be intentional about building your finances. Whether you like it or not, you have to provide.
“God has put you in that space. In fact, scripture says a man who cannot provide for his family is worse than an infidel and has denied the faith.”
Source: The Punch online
