Redeemed Woman

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 

Titus 2:3-5 (ESV)

It may not seem like a big deal for a lot of 21st century wives to be working outside the home. But, as a Christian wife who is employed full-time outside my home, I was stopped in my tracks years ago coming across the verse above in Titus 2 where it says that a woman should be “working at home”. The NASB translation says “workers at home” and the NKJV translation says “homemakers”. In my meditations, there was something in those words that caught my heart’s attention. This was important instruction from the Lord to me as a Christian wife and mother indicated by Paul’s emphasis “…that the word of God may not be reviled.”

As I studied this verse within the greater Biblical context and immediate context, I have concluded that this specific instruction means that a Christian wife’s priority is to manage her household and keep order in her home. It does not restrict, however, that wives should only work in the home and can not have employment outside their homes. We see supporting evidence of this conclusion in Proverbs 31:10-31.

Therefore, a wife who works outside her home is within Biblical instructions if:

1. She works outside the home as her husband’s helper, not to showcase her independence from him.

She is allowed by biblical standards to help her husband through her financial contributions. Just as Eve was created to help Adam keep the garden (Genesis 2:15-18), the wife today is able to help her husband keep his godly calling as provider and caretaker for the family.

On the flip side, working outside the home becomes unbiblical when a woman’s intention of working outside the home is to prove to herself and others that she does not need her husband. She works hard to climb the executive ladder and chases after the promotion but only for her own satisfaction and at the expense of her respect for her husband. This kind of attitude is unbiblical and goes against God’s design for the marriage covenant. (1 Corinthians 11:11-12)

2. She works outside the home in submission to her husband’s leadership, not in defiance to her husband’s leadership.

The Christian wife is instructed to submit herself to her husband in the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:3-5). This means that working outside the home is biblical only when her husband has given her his approval. Even if the husband’s reason for disapproval is something ridiculous such as jealousy or his own insecurities, the Christian wife’s mandate to submit to him in reverence to the Lord still stands. (see my last post if this is your case)

3. She works outside the home, but her work at home takes priority.

The woman who does work outside the home is still expected to manage her home and keep order in her home according to Titus 2:3-5. The biblical working woman must seek the Lord for wisdom in managing her time and wisdom in working with her husband to manage their home together (Proverbs 14:1; James 1:5) . Every home is different so she will need wisdom on how to delegate, prioritize, and ask for help to keep her home in order. Time and energy are limited so her work at home takes priority over her outside employment.

4. Her outside employment does not directly violate the Word of God.

This is an obvious point but one that needs to be made. Even if #1, #2, and #3 above are met, if the job involves acts or tasks that directly violate the Word of God (for example, deceptive business schemes, prostitution, illegal drug business, sexual immorality) then that woman’s outside employment become unbiblical and damages her fellowship with God and forfeits his blessings.

Conclusion:

The position of the heart is what God is concerned with when it comes to wives working outside the home. There are plenty of wives who stay home but do not do any work at home. They spend their time shopping or watching Netflix dramas. Some wives stay home but harbor resentment rather than willing submission towards their husbands. This does not glorify nor please God either.

God, in His great love for us wives and mothers, clearly in His Word instructs us to keep our hearts and our minds on what really matters in life. Who will be giving my eulogy when my earthly time is done? It will be those of my household (Proverbs 31:28-29). By His design, my home (which encompasses the care of my husband and children) is my calling. It is the one way I can bring God the most glory while I walk this earth. As a Christian wife, I do not have to look elsewhere or outside my own home to find God’s will or “big plan” for my life. His written words make it so clear. The outflow from my faithfulness to this calling will fuel my witness and evangelism for His Kingdom.

…love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Titus 2:4-5

Sister, whether you work just in the home or outside the home also, pray that your heart will seek to bring God glory by making your home your priority. Out of the pureness and kindness of our hearts in love towards our husbands and children, may we manage our homes to the glory of God. Jesus, help us! We need the help of the Holy Spirit for this great calling. May the Lord open our eyes to His ways for our lives and lift our burdens!