Working Women

Secular culture holds up working women as the ideal.  Girls are told to strive for the world's model of a strong, independent woman who may or may not ever get married or have children.  Family is considered a secondary consideration after a career is established.  Even in the church, women keeping the home is often not the priority unless they have children in the home.  Most people assume that women who desire to stay home and care for their home without children are just lazy.  God does not see things the same way we do.  He has a plan for His people and women in the church that looks very different from the world's ideas.  Can women have a job outside their home?  Yes, but their primary calling and purpose is to serve God as keepers of their homes.  

Proverbs 31 is often quoted as a model of a godly wife.  In this chapter we see a woman who is anything but lazy!  She works so hard it seems that she sets an impossible standard to meet.  She works in and from her home, but she does commence in commerce outside of her home as well!  She is a woman who fears God, and all that she does is to bring honor and glory to Him.  Proverbs 31:10-12 says, "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life."  The first thing we learn about this excellent wife is that she is precious to her husband and has his trust.  She is someone who is working for his good and is supportive of all of his efforts.  She is seeking to work with him for their common good.

This is also a woman who works hard to provide for all in her household.  "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle." (Proverbs 31:13‭-‬19)  In the days in which this was written, the household stretched far beyond just a husband, wife, and children.  A household could also include aged parents, children who had not yet come of age, servants/slaves, the families of servants/slaves, as well as anyone indebted to the landowner.  This woman is looking out for the best interests of her entire household.  She makes sure everything is running smoothly, that all are fed and clothed, and also buys and sells in the marketplace.  She is thus highly regarded within her household for her good management and care as well as outside in the community for her quality products and business dealings.  This is the exact opposite of lazy!  This woman is a hard worker who puts the care of those in her household above even herself (and her own sleep)!

She is also a generous woman who cares for those in need beyond those in her household.  Proverbs 31:20-25 tells us, "She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." She cares for those in need, but not at the expenses of her household.  Her house is well taken care of, her children and servants are well clothed, and then she goes above and beyond that to care for others also in need.  She is well known throughout town for strength and dignity to such an extent that her husband is elevated to a place of notice when he sits with the elders.  He is well thought of because of his godly, industrious wife.  

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31:26‭-‬31)  We see that she is not an idle or lazy woman.  Her house and family is well cared for to the extent that they call her blessed and praise her!  Her husband tells her she has surpassed all other women.  How is she able to set this impossibly high standard of womanhood?  She fears the Lord.  The Lord gives her the strength to continue to be industrious when it is easier to be lazy.  The Lord encourages her to continue being honest in a world of lies and deception.  She has gained wisdom through her years and uses it to teach others also.  

Women, follow the biblical example of godly womanhood and place your home as your top priority.  Consider your household first and foremost.  If you are working outside the home, do not allow your career to replace your home or family.  Do not place your career as your top priority at the expense of your home.  Place your home first and allow your career to take the supportive role of providing for your household.  If you are someone staying home, do not become discouraged by the world.  Strive to be industrious, care for your family as well as others in need, and glorify God in your role as a keeper of your home.