Can Christian Women Work Outside the Home?
Greetings to our sisters in Christ,
I hope you are strong in the Lord, persevering through this life! I've been talking about meek and quiet lately and wanted to equal the balance on being bold in the faith and strong in this life. Many women think that having a meek and quiet spirit means you are to be weak and helpless but that's not true. Women can be strong (physically and spiritually), but they need to know how to temper that in the right times and places. We know what a meek and quiet spirit is (you can read about it HERE) but women can also be strong in this life. For instance there are many women who have to work to support themselves and sometimes their children. If we look back in the bible we see it's not unusual for women to have to do work. Ruth, she worked. Song of Solomon shows the woman was a worker. In Exodus there were midwives who worked. Lydia was a business woman. Proverbs 31 woman worked hard. We see many women going to the well to gather water for their homes and to water flocks.
The scriptures say a woman is to be a keeper of the home (Titus 2) but in a fallen world of sin, it's not always possible for her to be in it all the time. Neither is it a an automatic entitlement for a woman to be able to stay home as she may be called in the faith, in a situation that doesn't warrant it. We see women flocking to religious groups in hopes that the group will financially support them but that's not how it works, they are expected to support themselves the best they can and even older children can learn to work to help out. Read 1 Timothy 5 and the requirements of a widow to be supported by the body. Supporting one's self doesn't always mean you will make money. Some people are in situations where they live with family members or work for elderly as 'live in care' and instead of going out to get a job, they take care of the household duties and whatever needs to be done within the home, therefore getting their living needs taken care of in return. (That also goes along with 1 Timothy 5) There are many ways a woman can support herself and while doing so, be a great shining light to those around her! Talk about witnessing opportunities:-)
Let me be clear, I'm not promoting feminism and encouraging women to find a career. I'm simply dispelling the notion that women can't support themselves by working.
Godly women are to balance a meek and quiet spirit with a strength in this world and a boldness on the Word no matter what their calling is, be it in the home (if possible) or in the workforce (if necessary). As a side note, we always caution women when choosing jobs (just as brother Jim cautions men) to be very careful what they choose to do. It's not the ideal for godly women (or men) to have to work in the world system but if that's the case, our God is bigger than this world and anything is possible.
Our Savior said there would be many trials in this life...
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
God has called us each where we are and He will use us in these situations to bring Him glory. Through the trials and struggles in our lives, we grow and mature.
I hope this gives strength to you sisters who have to work outside the home, knowing that God sees all, knows all and will work it all to grow you in many ways. Also know that you are a light in a dark place and a living witness of the power of God in a transformed life, what an awesome opportunity! Be strong in the faith and thankful that you are able to do what you do.
We all have our trials and struggles to go through, each in a different calling, but we all must learn that meek and quiet spirit balanced with strength and boldness from our Father.
We received some pictures from a sister in another country (as I've been sharing the landscape ones with you) and now we have rose pictures that I will include for you all, from her.
Have a joyous day sisters.
Blessings,
Sister Deb
I hope you are strong in the Lord, persevering through this life! I've been talking about meek and quiet lately and wanted to equal the balance on being bold in the faith and strong in this life. Many women think that having a meek and quiet spirit means you are to be weak and helpless but that's not true. Women can be strong (physically and spiritually), but they need to know how to temper that in the right times and places. We know what a meek and quiet spirit is (you can read about it HERE) but women can also be strong in this life. For instance there are many women who have to work to support themselves and sometimes their children. If we look back in the bible we see it's not unusual for women to have to do work. Ruth, she worked. Song of Solomon shows the woman was a worker. In Exodus there were midwives who worked. Lydia was a business woman. Proverbs 31 woman worked hard. We see many women going to the well to gather water for their homes and to water flocks.
The scriptures say a woman is to be a keeper of the home (Titus 2) but in a fallen world of sin, it's not always possible for her to be in it all the time. Neither is it a an automatic entitlement for a woman to be able to stay home as she may be called in the faith, in a situation that doesn't warrant it. We see women flocking to religious groups in hopes that the group will financially support them but that's not how it works, they are expected to support themselves the best they can and even older children can learn to work to help out. Read 1 Timothy 5 and the requirements of a widow to be supported by the body. Supporting one's self doesn't always mean you will make money. Some people are in situations where they live with family members or work for elderly as 'live in care' and instead of going out to get a job, they take care of the household duties and whatever needs to be done within the home, therefore getting their living needs taken care of in return. (That also goes along with 1 Timothy 5) There are many ways a woman can support herself and while doing so, be a great shining light to those around her! Talk about witnessing opportunities:-)
Let me be clear, I'm not promoting feminism and encouraging women to find a career. I'm simply dispelling the notion that women can't support themselves by working.
Godly women are to balance a meek and quiet spirit with a strength in this world and a boldness on the Word no matter what their calling is, be it in the home (if possible) or in the workforce (if necessary). As a side note, we always caution women when choosing jobs (just as brother Jim cautions men) to be very careful what they choose to do. It's not the ideal for godly women (or men) to have to work in the world system but if that's the case, our God is bigger than this world and anything is possible.
Our Savior said there would be many trials in this life...
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
God has called us each where we are and He will use us in these situations to bring Him glory. Through the trials and struggles in our lives, we grow and mature.
I hope this gives strength to you sisters who have to work outside the home, knowing that God sees all, knows all and will work it all to grow you in many ways. Also know that you are a light in a dark place and a living witness of the power of God in a transformed life, what an awesome opportunity! Be strong in the faith and thankful that you are able to do what you do.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18We all have our trials and struggles to go through, each in a different calling, but we all must learn that meek and quiet spirit balanced with strength and boldness from our Father.
We received some pictures from a sister in another country (as I've been sharing the landscape ones with you) and now we have rose pictures that I will include for you all, from her.
What delicate beauty!!! Praise God!
Blessings,
Sister Deb
The biblical gospel...