Do you think God wants women to work?

Question

Or do you think women should stay at home and take care of their kids and husband like God intended. So therefore, would it be a sin for a woman to work?

Answer 1

You do what you need to do to be sure your kids are well taken care of. Sometimes this means working outside the home, sometimes not.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

There is nothing that states that a woman should stay in the home and be a walking incubator and maid.

What the Bible does say is that a woman should submit unto her husband as unto the Lord. It also says submit one to another. And the phrase Husbands love your wives appears more often than wives love your husbands.

The main objective for a wife to take care of the children, but that is more cultural than Biblical. God did make woman to be a help meet to the man. I assume, it isn't spelled directly out, that would mean something more along the lines of a woman assisting her husband in whatever work he does. Which would infer that the woman came along side the man and that would be usually outside the home.

So I would have to say the answer would be a "no" to being sinful for a woman to work outside the home. Non pastoral review of the Bible. Someone may have some scripture that is more definitive. I cannot think of one.

Answer 3

Women in the past didn't work much outside the homestead (including farm and ranch work) because assisted conditions from government were not available to meet the needs of a pregnant woman. Also, men until the modern era worked about 12 hours a day and had no means of assisting their wife in much housework and childrearing for this reason she was considered an equal partner in the marriage often doing the equivalent amount of work both in time and strain at home.

People today are fixiated on the idea that men in past times had the same types of jobs and hours as they do now, when in reality they worked about 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, sometimes away from their families and worked like dogs. Women worked just as hard at home. Both respected and loved each other all the more because of what each one sacrificed to raise a family.

Today, men work much less at their careers, typically 8-10 hours a day only 5 days a week and women who stay at home have much easier means of cooking, cleaning, etc. than in past times.

I say women should work and God would agree if they can and if it helps the family substantially especially economically since working at home in past times was equivalent to such; however I also add that men should be expected to do more work at home for those extra hours they are there that men from the past did not have (especially Saturday). Ultimately, the choice is between a husband and wife and which roles they accept.

Ruth is the best example of a woman who worked hard to aide her mother-in-law and also help take care of the housework.

Answer 4

There's a great book out there called, "The Holy Bible". It will answer all your questions.
Women work- whether it's at home or not. There are 10 Commandments and not one of them mentions women working as a sin.
Get real. The question is do you WANT to work outside your home? Don't lay this on God. He's plenty busy.
Pray about it and figure it out logically- is it actually cost effective for you to work outside the home? Many times day care, transportation, clothing etc will make it not worth the extra income-
It's good to have something to do with adults. Maybe consider part time? Sounds like your husband would like you to work. We are to be submissive (not slaves) to our husbands. That, God does say. Stop picking and choosing God's words.
If you are struggling financially, it may make sense. Who knows, you may even enjoy the diversion. Read Psalm 31.
Be blessed sweetie.

Answer 5

Its always amazing how little some "Christians" know of the Bible.
Forstarters, when God tossed Adam and Eve out of Garden and said they would earn their bread by the sweat of their brow, he was talking to both of them.

Second, look at Biblical characters. For example Lydia (Acts of the Apostles) who was a respected woman of the churcch--and a skilled artisan--"a maker of dyes"

There are alos endless examples of women spinning, weaving, working the land, etc in the Bible.

But we no longer work at home--most of us. Men in that day and age also worked at home, either as farmers or craftsmen. So what you're reallly saying is that in the Bible, it was clear that men AND women both worked to contribute to the family income. But now, you want to sue the Bible as an excuse to stay home while the man earns the living. And your arguement--as I just poointed out--doesn't even have any Biblical foundation.

Don't get me wrong--if that's how a couplle want to arrange things, fine--and it does have its benefits. But don't run around making judgements about those who don't choose that particular lifestyle--especially when you don't have a scriptural basis for doing so.

Answer 6

No. If a woman isn't married, who would support her if its a sin for a woman to work? Her parents? The government? The churches? What if she's married and doesn't have kids, what then?

I agree that I think it is better for children if one of the parents stays home and raises them, but it could be the father. That's what my brother and sister-in-law have decided to do when/if they have kids. She wants to continue teaching and he wants to stay home with the children.

Besides, many parents can't afford for both parents NOT to work. How many in the Religious Right (the main group which opposes women working) have supported a raise in minimum wages?

Answer 7

Why isn't working taking care of your children and husband as well? I think each situation is different. I would love to be able to stay home with our daughter and be a housewife....I'm all for it for me. But the reality is if we want to keep our house (and trust me, it isn't one of these huge mansion type things, it's a 1969 ranch) I need to work, as well as my husband. But we are lucky enough to split the time. I work 1st shift, he works 3rd so our daughter has us both.

I think it is a personal decision, not really something that God declared. But no it isn't a sin to use the gifts and blessing that God has given us (aka your intelligence). It is a way to give back to God, as long as that is how you see it.

Answer 8

I have a personal belief that the woman should stay home to raise her own children. This day and age, its not always feasible. Jesus came and we are now under grace. Its a personal preference. I am a firm believer (as is many phsycologists) that a child needs the influence of both the mother and father in its life.

Answer 9

Actually - raising children and housekeeping ARE work. I don't know about God(s) having an opinion on this, but I think that times change, economies change, and situations change, and for most families - living on one income just isn't a viable option whether God(s) wants it or not. I think parents who can afford to keep one parent in the home are very fortunate and should count their blessings.

Answer 10

God doesn't care if women work or don't work...that is not really a priority. As long as children get the care they need...it doesn't matter.

Food for thought...one mother taking care of several of her own children is not enough and unfair to the children. If women working is a sin...so is someone taking care of multiple children and unable to adequately care for them. That is why children fight for attention...they are not getting enough from the single one taking care of them.

~ Eric Putkonen