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Can a Woman have a Job Outside the Home? Truth over Lies for the Christian Wife

September 20, 2024 by Rosa Rosa Leave a Comment

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Can women have a job outside the home? Is it biblical to stay home full time?

This is not an easy topic to write about because there are many bad interpretations and teachings going around. I’m no theologian, but I am a God-fearing wife. I hope to give you a little clarity to this topic after much thought and digging.

family shoes in front of the door

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Can Women Work outside the Home?

Let’s jump straight into the text because there is no other way to go.

I suggest reading it completely! Proverbs 31

My hope is to help you make a clear and sound decision for you and your family.

As Christians we need to make decisions based on truth and not fear.

Decisions should NOT be grounded on lies or fear. Living with fear is not worth it! Proverbs 29:25

woman smiling at flower shop

Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 Don’t Prohibit Working Outside the Home

Women through the ages have worked outside the home. It looked different than today because it might have been farming or near by in a market, but it would depend on her social class and other factors.

Acts 16:14-15

The woman in the famous Proverbs 31 is the basis for most teachings on this subject. And honestly I think it’s the only passage that goes deep into the life of a woman, like a day in the life!

The questions we should ask are the folowing:

  • Can a woman take care of her home while having a job?
  • Will her family and home be neglected?
  • How would a day in a life of a biblical wife look?
  • What would be the wise thing to do in different seasons of life?

Hopefully by the end of this article you can be more familiar with the answers to those questions, nonetheless I will focus on the first question.

I will give you examples for that question in the coming sections.

The Role of a Wife and the Role of a Husband

Let’s look at this verse: Titus 2:4-5

The Bible has clear teachings in reward to the role of a woman and a man. There is a difference for each person, but the HOME (family) is an important calling to married couples. Both parents have a calling to care for the family, and housework can also be shared but it’s not the man’s main responsibilty.

The (husband and wife) are one flesh, so I think it’s important to remember that they are one. I guess the best example of this would be the trinity.

Ephesians 5:22-24

In terms of the household we have to start with the husbands role. I believe that’s where we must begin because of order. There has to be order to plan accordingly. 1 Timothy 2:13

Headship implies authority and responsibility (husband’s role) to the home (wife and children), it is to be done in selfless love. Ephesians 5:25

The wife submits to her husband as to the Lord, she has the ability to bear children and she takes care of her home and family (husband, children, varies tasks). She is to be busy at home, however doesn’t prohibit outside work. 1 Timothy 5:13

Some people would argue that the “home” always implies family or household, but proverbs 31 is more clear, and it’s safe to say that working and being at home is clearly centered around domestic duties and not just family reponsiblity.

Read more about a women’s heart at home. I go more into this area of being home and enjoying that homemaking part of being a woman.

Now, this picture I just painted for you is biblical teaching, but it’s far from perfect. Sin and difficulty will always be lurking, but do we trust God with the way he designed the family to run?

Ecclesiastes 9:9

woman smiling at work in salt mine

The Keeping of the Home is a Teaching of Sound Doctrine for the Married Woman

“Working at home” and “being submissive” doesn’t cancel out “she makes linen garments and sells them” or “she considers a field and buys it”.

Let me give you an example from Christ.

John 1:1

Christ was with God (the Father) in the beginning and everything was made by Him and for Him.

Jesus is God, but He is also man. He is the Son of Man, a title pointing to his humanity. John 1:14

Does one of these cancel the other? No, sound doctrine teaches Tithat Jesus is both God and man.

I read something by Charles Spurgeon about two truths existing in parallel.

“Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other.”

The Bible Truth Set us Free: Women at Home is as True as Women Working Outside the Home

So, a woman’s main responsibility ( calling) when married is her home, but she can work a normal job too?

Yes, I would say that a woman embracing her role at home is sound doctrine, and it shows a mature woman living in truth.

Titus 1:1 , Titus 2:12 , Titus 2:5

And yes, she can work. Women have intellect, ideas and talents.

But notice that a job is not a standard or a commandment, although I guess you could say ” if someone doesn’t work, neither shall he eat” , but I think that might be stretching things.

There is of course scripture talking about lazyness and condeming it, but I think lazyness is not an issue most times (at least for women).

I would say the issue for women and work tends to go two directions. Either she wants to help her husband because finances aren’t great and she has time or the other reason might be because she wants things and her husband’s job won’t provide it, and she might feel unseen or bored.

Now, these are my thoughts, after I am a woman who has wrestled with these thoughts before. I would say some women might not struggle with greed or feeling unseen, like I did at some point.

This society looks at work in a very ego-centric-success, driven kind of way. But I’m getting off topic here…

The point is that there is freedom, and much things to consider when making a decision. Wisdom over desires would be my take.

Some Would Argue for a Full-Time Homemaker Wife

I would argue that yes, scripture DOESN’T flat out prohibit working outside the home, BUT it also makes it clear that the home for a married woman is top priority.

Some people would say, no, woman have to be full time homemakers and let the husband provide.

While I would love to say that in my flesh, and in my desire to have all women experience full-time homemaking without a job, it would be wrong.

The Bible leaves somethings in the responsibility of the husband and wife. I think that’s where the freedom is. If the husband is leading his family, there will be a conversation about how their boat will float.

I will give you some examples of why there is freedom and also clear Bible teaching in reward to the way home-life (manhood/womenhood) should look. Wisdom is where we must live as Christians.

Hard conversations, sacrifice, selflessness and prayer is where each family has to live.

woman picking pears in the field working

Working at Home and Working an Outside Job Can Work Under Some Conditions

Many women in my life have given me guidance and I have seen many sides to this topic of whether a woman should work. With that in mind, I thought these examples might shine a light.

Please note that these are very real situations. I share them with privacy in mind and I ask for discretion.

If you find yourself in a similar situation pray, meditate and ask the Lord what is best in accordance with scripture, and your family.

And I would add that there are seasons in life where I firmly believe staying home is the wisest and best way to go.

Workig Outside the Home, but With the Home Front and Centered: Low-income

Scenerio 1: This beautiful woman has kids in school and her husband is a pastor. She wants to work for two reasons; to help her husband and because she has time during the day. She gets up at 5 am every day. She cooks breakfast, cleans and sends the kids to school. Her job is from 8am- 2pm. After work she does her grocery shopping and gets home by the time the kids are arriving. Finances aren’t the best, but they have peace, and a mind focused on the Lord.

Working at Home: Both Husband and Wife in Agreement, Some Sacrifice

Scenario 2: This amazing woman has been a full-time homemaker for over 20 years. She made very little money when she worked outside and decided with her husband that it was best to focus on the home. She helped her husband by saving lot’s of money on food because she packed lunch for him each morning. She was also sick and suffered from a disease that made working outside the home extremely difficult. Her dream was to educate her children and keep watch of them, so she put the working on hold. Her daughters and son never looked down on her for being a homemaker. They praised her, especially as they got older and understood her selflessness. Now that her kids are grown, the Lord gave her the dream job (part-time and great pay).

Working In and Outside the Home with Everyone in Mind: No Perfection Here!

Scenario 3: This sweet lady is a farmer’s wife. She works with him in the field. Somedays she stays home to get the cooking and housework in order. The kids work at home and in the field too. It’s hard but they manage most days. When her kids got older she started a store at home. She sold all kinds of products to the local village. She also sold bread with her husband in different seasons. In her younger years as a wife, she struggled with keeping the home well, it was not her favorite thing in the world, so when she had extra money she hired help. Her cooking wasn’t on point either, but she kept everyone fed. He often struggled with his temper, but the kids loved spending time with their dad. Husband and wife argue at times.

Order is Needed, Christ Can Help if we are Willing to Surrender: Young Family

Scenario 4: This young beautiful woman has a full time job that’s very demanding and her husband stays home with the little kids. He struggled with money and work, and somehow she took over. Both wife and husband are unhappy, they tend to argue and be so exhausted each day. She longs to be home more and with her children. Often, she thinks that her husband doesn’t do enough at home or financially. He feels controlled and is used to being home. She is considering another job to keep things going. Her husband doesn’t know what to do and she is so stressed. The kids are often here and there with grandparents.

I want to say that these families are not perfect. Some are Christians and some are not, but eventually some came to Christ later in life.

Questions to ask yourself:

Which families seem to be thriving? Are there small children? Does the wife and husband have one mindset?

Is the woman busy working at home? Is her home neglected? Does working outside the home take all her time? Is she respecting her husband?

Is her home the priority?

The husband has a role too, but since this article is about working wifes, let focus on that.

My heart hurts when I see difficulties in families, but we must trust and work toward living in a way that pleases God. In the end God’s way brings blessings and peace of mind to us.

So, you see… the question is not, can she work outside the home?

The questions is… can she take care of the main calling to take care of her home (housework, husband and kids)?

woman working at the farm driving a tractor

The Husbands Leardership Matters: The Wife’s Submission Changes Everything at Home!

This article is not about submission or about the husband’s role, but I want to share something with the wife that struggles with Ephesians 5 .

Your husband needs your submission. He is instituted by God as the head, and refusing to live under that is like a soldier pretending to be the commander.

I’m clearly not in the military, but the point is that order is very important in God’s world. You might feel uncared for, unloved or unseen by your husband. And, yes__ you need his love… but you can only start with yourself.

He might be lazy or clueless___ maybe that’s what you think of him?

It starts in our thoughts, sister. Pray to the Lord sister, ask him to help you be like Sarah and not fear your husband. Don’t be deceived by the girl power culture.

Remember, submitting to your husband is submitting to God. We obey God first, and with the Holy Spirit’s help we can be respectful and live in accordance with scripture.

Read this: 1 Peter 3

If your home is out of order, if working at home is hard and your job is stressful and the kids…. AHHH! ___”Is this even possible?”

Remember, sister, give it to the Lord… truly give it to Him and follow His way because it’s perfect. (God the Perfect HOMEMAKER)

Psalm 127

woman holding a baby picking flowers

A Woman Grounded on Truth has Nothing to Fear

Let’s end with Proverbs 31.

Read it dear friend, and remember you don’t need to be all that in one go. There are seasons in life. There are Springs and Winters.

You can’t do it all at once.

Bring your burdens and prayer to God, He is your refuge and strength.

In Christ,

Rosa Rosa

floral purple greeting card Christian scripture truth

Filed Under: Marriage, Women Tagged With: Christian life, faith in God, homemaking, identity, wife, womanhood, working life

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Hi, so glad you are here!

A little about me

Just a tea drinking kind of girl. I love to study the Bible and eat all things chocolate. Gardening has become my new hobby. Christ saved me 11 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. I’m married to Mr. Rosa and we have a little boy! Read more here 

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