I dedicate this blog entry to all my sisters in Christ who are working at home (Titus 2:5, ESV). One particular young wife and mother whom I spoke with at church this past Sunday especially comes to mind. She related an unpleasant event in her life recently where someone in her family denigrated her in front of her daughter because of her choice to work in the home.
I want to encourage this young mother and all like her and let her know that she has chosen the better part by working diligently at home. You know that homemaking isn’t only about keeping a house clean or preparing meals for your family. Anyone: single, married, college student, or capable child can learn to cook and clean up after themselves or others. Homemaking encompasses cooking and cleaning, but that is just a small part of the job. Homemaking requires selflessness, love, strength, honesty, trust, humility, organizational skills, the ability to teach, and so much more. I know you know this because you are living out your calling as a wife and mother.
The majority of people in the world can be likened to a dog chasing its tail, once the tail is caught there is no benefit to the dog in the catching of it. If you read the book of Ecclesiastes slowly and thoughtfully a pattern of futility develops when it comes to worldly pursuits. Likewise, a woman who does not take her God-given duties seriously will be left in the end chasing her own tail or rather, having everything she worked for being blown away like chaff in the wind.
What good will come to any woman who does not take her own spiritual safety to heart? What good will it bring her if she becomes successful in this life if she has not prepared herself for the next life which will continue on into eternity? Will God reward her for seeking a name for herself during her time on earth? Will God reward her for storing up her treasures here on earth? The Bible answers all of these questions thoroughly.
What good will come to the woman’s children if she does not take their spiritual safety to heart? What good will it do them if she trains them only to be successful in this life but has not prepared them for their eternal destiny in the next life? Will she be rewarded in heaven for leaving her and her husband’s responsibility to train up their children (Proverbs 22:6) to the pastor on Sunday or the youth pastor on Wednesday nights? Does she really believe that so little training in the Word of God will produce fruits of righteousness in her children, cause them to place God first in their lives, live obediently to Scripture when in fact she doesn’t even do those things herself?
What good will come to a woman who does not take her husband’s spiritual welfare to heart? Does she pray for him and encourage him in his responsibility as head of the home? Or is she too busy with her own pursuits to give that much thought? Is she there for him to help him or is she only helping herself to accomplish her dreams and desires? Can the heart of her husband safely trust her (Proverbs 31:11)?
God has placed high priority on family life. He expects husbands and wives to work together in ministry and in showing hospitality to those who are lost in this world. He intends mothers and fathers to work together in teaching and training children to grow up in the Lord in order to bring glory and honor to His great name.
Children need both mothers and fathers to teach them to serve God and not themselves. They need to see this truth modeled by their parents.
They need to see their father’s work as work that will ultimately bring spiritual blessing to the home. They will see their father and mother using the money that has been earned to not only provide for their needs but also to further the work of God’s Kingdom and not used merely for purchasing toys and luxuries after their needs have been met. They will see their father and mother in agreement about the importance of their God given responsibilities for the spiritual welfare of their family and the welfare of others.
The Bible does not say that a wife cannot add to the family wealth. Proverbs 31 shows an industrious wife who adds to the family’s wealth by selling linen garments and sashes. From the money she makes, she buys a field and plants a vineyard that also adds to the family wealth. It goes on to say what she uses her wealth for. She uses it to bless her family, her servants, and the poor. In turn her children bless her and her husband praises her and trusts her.
I would encourage any young wife and mother who endeavors to earn an income of some sort or another, whether she earns it while working at home or whether she earns it working away from her home, to earnestly search her own heart first. Is her motive for doing so a biblical one or is it to please a part of her own sinful and selfish nature? Will it take away valuable time or take resources away from family life and responsibilities that are clearly lined out in Scripture? Will it cause neglect in her devotion to God, or in the care of her children, or in the training of her children to serve God, or in her care for her husband’s physical and spiritual needs? In short, ANYTHING that turns a family’s pursuit of God away from Him and fosters a pursuit of personal desires and pleasures of the world will be harmful to a family and every person in that family.
Mothers who understand this extremely important task God has entrusted your frail self with, take heart and never let those who in vain pursue a name for themselves in this world discourage you! You are doing through the grace and mercy of God a good work in your time here on earth. Take comfort that your name will be remembered by God. While your name may not be remembered here on earth where it will likely all too soon be forgotten to history, Revelation 3:12 says that God will write His name upon you for all eternity. God will be lifted up and exalted before His people. He will use obedient servants like yourselves to show forth His excellence. Be of good courage woman of God!
