Why would God tell us to do something and then make it impossible to do it? I've heard the argument that this sort of life worked "in Victorian times," but now it is not possible, because of the economy. The economy is a relative thing, and even a nebulous thing, because each person creates their own economy. Some people even prosper in hard economic times, because of their Biblical approach to economy. We must not be guided by the news reports about the economy. Your economy is your own, and it is up to you how you manage it. Sometimes you'll hear news reports that in order to survive, the average family must bring in a certain amount of income. If you pay any attention to that, you'll end up back at work. It isn't true that women could stay at home only in the past, but not these days.
2006-10-23 07:25:57 · 39 answers · asked by Julie 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
It used to be said that "two can live as cheaply as one," and it is still true, if the couple are sharing their posessions, rather than buying one thing for each person. The Bible principles worked, they say, in Victorian times, but they work today or in any age. They can be put into practice, no matter what the current economy is. If they worked in the past, they'll work for us, today.
From Lady Lydia http://homeliving.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_homeliving_archive.html
2006-10-23 07:26:42 · update #1
It's certainly not impossible. My job is in the home, taking care of my husband and children. It's where I feel I belong, NOT where I feel I've been placed by a chauvanistic, patriarchal society or any such nonsense as that.
I know some moms choose to work, and a few have to, but it's definitely not impossible to stay home and take care of your kids, instead of working & (in some cases) paying someone else to raise your kids. A lot of times it comes down to what your priorities are and the sacrifices you're willing to make.
*note* I don't mean this as a condemnation for any working mothers - I know some simply HAVE to work due to financial restraints or obligations, but I do think that society's view that women on the whole can "no long afford to stay home" is erroneous and possibly harmful.
2006-10-23 07:31:42 · answer #1 · answered by littlemamakati 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My teacher always used to remind me, when we were studying the Bible, that the Bible isn't written by God, but by his disciples, and like everyone they had their own opinions. It would have been difficult to write of a working woman in those times and be accepted by society because of the way people thought back then. If The Bible was going to be accepted, it would have to conform to those ideas. Perhaps in those days it was best for a woman to stay at home, for one people were having a lot more children than they are these days and also, living costs weren't so high, now there are pressures on paying electricity bills, phone bills, having the latest technology, fashion etc. Perhaps being materialistic is a bad thing, but some aspects (a house and car atleast are neccesities). I think what is most important that we take from The Bible is to be good people with high moral standards and doing what is best. Sometimes have two working partners in a household can be the "most loving thing to do"...
2006-10-23 07:32:51 · answer #2 · answered by sherrynkb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO, it's not true. A family can live off of one income, but you can only do it if you're willing to give up the extras in life. I have no problem with staying at home. My husband works, and I know my job is to take care of our home, and children. We've been married for 15 years, and at first it was hard to adjust. I was used to always having money, and getting what I wanted. I started a garden, and learned to sew. Now, I still stay at home, the kids are teenagers, and we no longer hurt for money. We have been blessed with the ability to have the extras. Where there's a will, there's a way. Look at the Jim Duggar family from Arkansas, they have 17 children, and the father is the only person who works out side of the home. They have a web site, and Discovery Channel has done several documentaries on their family. They prove that you can do it.
2006-10-23 08:17:34 · answer #3 · answered by Dawn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being a modern 21st century society shouldn't we be past that already? While yes, we should still stay with certain teachings of the Bible...there are just things that don't pertain to us as a SET RULE any longer. If a woman chooses to work or in some cases must work due to financial situations that is her choice and noone; including the Bible should dictate what she chooses to do with her life.
2006-10-23 07:32:14 · answer #4 · answered by KaitiDidIt 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why are you working and not taking care of your home?? you have a post from a week ago about being board at work. You come on here and try to put down the way other women choose to run their family.... YET you are not a homemaker or a stay at home mother yet you preach about that being the best way to live? It's your choice to live the bible word for word you don't have to right to tell others they should live like you. One income is HARD to live you as you know because you CLEARLY are not living on ome income and your not raising children on one income. You are very judgmental however pretty you try to paint it up as just being curious.
2006-10-23 10:06:23 · answer #5 · answered by ally'smom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Times have changed. Somebody has to do the housecleaning, cooking and cleaning. It could be either or both the man and the woman these days, or somebody who is hired to do it. Family economy can be tricky sometimes. I vote for seperate accounts for extras, and a main central account for family expenses. I think that works best. Then see what has to happen to get enough into each account. When work options are all really bad, spend less, far less sometimes.
2006-10-23 07:31:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The bible was written many years before women's lib came into play. It's not impossible for us to do it, and it's not the economy's fault that women are going to work. It's society's fault. Society says that stay at home mom's are not so highly respected anymore. Society says that everyone should have a double income to keep up with the Jones's. Society says that if you stay at home, you must have a controlling husband.
It's societies fault, not the economy.
2006-10-23 07:29:40 · answer #7 · answered by Allycat 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Bible was physically written be MEN.
When the bible was written and re-written in English society still had gender specific roles.
God has NEVER written anything except for the Fifteen Commandments and Moses broke five of them walk down the mountain.
Other than that GOD knows that simple minded literalists would twist his/her words to justify their actions kind of like what they do with the bible.
Ever wonder why the church spends money on defending their priest from sex scandels than giving it to the needy? Why doesn't the church give out money instead ask you to give it to them. Surely money from the Church could find GOD's will through me as well.
2006-10-23 08:03:36 · answer #8 · answered by snack_daddy10 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The references are that women should be "keepers at home, guard the home, guide the home, and be wives and mothers." My wife keeps our home, guards our home, guides our home, is my wife, and is the mother of our children. I too keep our home, guard our home, guide our home, am her husband, and the father of our children. The Bible does not tell me not to help fold the laundry or help with the kids. While it does tell the woman to do those things, it likewise does not forbid her to work outside the home. So, in a marriage where there is a fair division of household chores, a woman can do all the things the Bible commands and still earn an income if she wants. Clearly, you want to stay at home, and if you do, good for you. However, I don't think it's your place to state condemnation of women who make different choices from you just because you make one interpretation of God's commands, and they make different ones. It would be rather grandiose of you to speak for God, telling people what He means, don't you think? Personally, I have too much respect for God to presume that I have a right to speak for Him.
2006-10-23 07:41:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all God did not make it impossible to stay home.The sins of the world have caused the downfall of the economy as well as the family.If you care for your family(as it sounds like you do,since you asking questions) you will look around and realize the only way for a family to survive is for the mother to stay home. I also strongly suggest that you check into homeschooling as well. This world is getting worse by the minute.
2006-10-23 07:32:40 · answer #10 · answered by kindle2 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋