What are you working for?

I have been wanting to blog about this for quite some time now. Several ladies have talked to me about their convictions and my thoughts on it, what the Bible says, etc. Then I got to thinking, if this handful of ladies at separate times have come to me with questions about it, certainly there are many more handfuls not going to anyone about it. I have even sought counsel on it myself and did Bible studies on it to find out the truth. I came to realize that the Bible holds many more answers we seem to give it credit for...we just have to open it and open our hearts and minds to what it is telling us.

The topic is women working. Should women work outside the home? Here's what the Bible says. Just a disclaimer, most of this is not my own words, this is through Bible study and through a pastor that helped me with the answers I was looking for.

There are some that would teach that women should not work at all outside of the home. However, if you follow the Biblical evidence available to you a much clearer picture is presented.



Women are mentioned throughout the Bible as working outside the home to benefit the home (not for personal ambition or gain but out of necessity). Lydia Acts 16:14; Ruth in Ruth 2:2-3.

Notice the Proverbs 31 woman:


- Her job is within the home (V.13-19, 24)


1. Notice here that this woman is a worker, she helps to support the home by working outside of it


2. But also notice it’s not at the expense of her children and motherly duties


3. What God is trying to tell us here is that, if the mother needs, not wants, to work than that’s fine, but her job should allow her to continue to perform what He requires of her in the home. A woman’s first responsibility is at home.


• 1 Timothy 5:14 “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house”


• Titus 2:5 “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home"

Also if her work is a hindrance in any way to the other traits seen within this chapter it would be more beneficial for the family to quit rather than see your marriage or children damaged or possibly even destroyed simply for the money. A woman’s first priority must be to God, then to her family, with work coming a distant last. The other very important traits that directly effect a woman’s ability (because these traits should be seen before working outside the home is even considered) to work outside the home are:


• Virtuous (V.10) Virtue isn’t just moral goodness it’s strength. It’s a woman who not just knows what to stand for but is able to stand without wavering


• Has the heart of her husband (V.11-12) The heart is talking about that the very center of a man’s being is solely dedicated to her. Not just because he has feelings for her but because he loves who she is as a godly woman


• She is compassionate (V.20) To have compassion on someone means that you suffer with them. This woman sees those around her in need and helps them were she can


• She is a planner (V.21) Notice her life is very structured she sees what will be needed and plans to have that need met


• She is a provider (V.22) She provides the best she can for her family and herself


• She always speaks well of her husband (V.23) This women never speaks ill of her husband to anyone that doesn’t need to know. She does not flaunt his faults but edifies his strength’s


• She portrays great attributes (V.25) Her good attributes are so visible on her that it is as obvious when you see here as the clothes she wears


• She chooses her words wisely and kindly (V.26) This is one of those think before you speak scenarios.


• She is always busy with her family (V.27) We all know that running a household is a full time job. Job- A piece of work; anything to be done, whether of more or less importance. A lot of women look at running a household as little work demeaning but if it is a job that the Lord has given you, no matter how small you might think it is, it’s important to Him


• Her children adore her (V.28) This is the results of a woman who is faithfully serving the family. You may think that your work goes unnoticed, but in the end those you serve will praise you always for the sacrifices you make for them


• She is not concerned with being popular or pretty (V.30a) These are two areas that most women feel inadequate in, but it is two areas that are of the absolute least importance. There is too much emphasis in our society on some specified way to look and on social status. God cares nothing for either of these things


• She fears the Lord (V.30b) this is the key to this woman. This is really the motivation behind this woman’s service and life. If you want to know why she chooses to stay at home rather than go and get a full time job this is it. If you want to know why she does the same laundry, the same dishes, over and over again this is it. It’s the side of fear that is an act of reverence to God. She does it out of love for God not love for her family. It’s because she loves Him first that she has enough love for her family to serve them in such a great capacity.

For anyone who has been in the work force, they know how easily these attributes can be stomped out through gossip, being too tired to fulfill obligations at home, missing out on child rearing, vain attempts to keep up socially with other at work, etc., etc.

If all of these attributes can be found in a woman, and the financial situation of the home necessitates it, there is no reason that a woman cannot work outside of the home. However, if you chose rather to step outside of His will for your life, do not expect everything to be easier. In fact what I have seen is the exact opposite, and that is a strained relationship with her husband and with her children. So before a decision is made be sure that you are ready and that God wants you to take that step.



***The question I had to ask myself is, why do I want to work? Money, success, to get out of the house, I can't handle the kids, what is the reason?

My husband just recently just got out of the Marine Corps to go work full time at our church. We knew God was calling Him into the ministry, so when his contract was up, we knew it was time to get out and let God work in our lives. However, with that change came other changes. He was a Staff Sergeant and got a pretty good paycheck, our pay decreased to a fraction of what he was making in the world. I'm not going to lie, I was scared at first and that is where these questions came for me. I didn't want to buckle to this fear, so I sought out answers and found them. God will sustain us. Me going out to the workforce would only pull me away from what God has given me to do first and foremost. I was more worried about money and what we were going to do then what God had in store. So, we said, "We trust you God" and I did not go to work outside the home. I didn't want any financial gain and I did not want to step outside of God's will for my life and cause my home to suffer. People looked at us like we were crazy.

Matthew 6:24 says, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."


Every time I look at my children, I could not imagine not being with them everyday and seeing the funny and new things that come with every day of their lives. That is enough for me. Every time my husband comes home and I can serve him a warm meal after work and he is so appreciative. That is enough for me. Every time I am available to help someone out because I am home during the day. That is enough for me. Picking my children up from school and going to class parties. That is enough for me. His grace is sufficient.

I was challenged with the question, "Do you NEED to work?" You may have to give up a few amenities, but can you make it without working? Who or what are you putting your trust and comfort in? I thought at one point I needed to, but then we started to empty out all the "extras" and realized I didn't.

I know this Bible study challenged my heart and I pray it does your, as well.