Culture certainly has changed the woman's role as a wife within the last 50 years or so. The wife as the homemaker has not changed however. The laundry, dishes, cooking, childcare, and other domestic chores still have to be done, and although there are many helpful husbands and children, usually by default it lands on the shoulders of the wife to do it all. Adding to this many modern wives are balancing the demands of a career with their family responsibilities.
There is nothing wrong with a woman working to bring in an additional income for the family, but increasingly the mother is not at home and if not carefully balanced, the children pay the price. A 1996 survey indicated that children ages 12 - 17 who are latch key (home alone after school until a parent arrives) are twice as likely to get involved in drugs and sexual activity before reaching the age of 18.
If you read my last blog, then you may remember the metaphor I used about a dance. The same is true in this situation. The wife (and husband) must determine whether or not the children are receiving enough attention if both parents are working.
Ephesians 5:22-33 (NIV) say's,
Simply put, the wife is to work together with the husband for the common good of the family. This means to help the husband by showing him respect and encouraging him as having the strength to lead the family in the way of righteousness. This thinking is counter-cultural in today's society and it isn't politically correct. It is however, God's design for the marriage. If the husband and wife both perform their roles in accordance with God's word, then it will be a successful marriage.
A wife should nurture, protect, and provide in this order, while a man should provide, protect, and nurture in that order. This formula is a good way to look at the bigger picture, and if followed then it should become a well-balanced home where the children can thrive.
Proverbs 31:10-12 (NIV) say's,
1 Timothy 5:14 (NIV) say's,
Titus 2:3-5 (NIV) say's,
As the wife has agreed to the covenant of marriage just as the husband did, she has agreed to become one flesh. This can sometimes mean having to make sacrifices. It could mean sacrificing a career, sacrificing time with friends, or having way less"me time" for the sake of helping your family.
As one flesh there should be one bank account, one collective income (regardless of who earns it), one budget, and all to benefit one family.
If the wife accepts her role in submission, showing the husband respect, and the husband accepts his role in loving the wife as Christ loves the church, which means self-sacrificially serving, then the family can be like Heaven on earth to all in the home.
There is nothing wrong with a woman working to bring in an additional income for the family, but increasingly the mother is not at home and if not carefully balanced, the children pay the price. A 1996 survey indicated that children ages 12 - 17 who are latch key (home alone after school until a parent arrives) are twice as likely to get involved in drugs and sexual activity before reaching the age of 18.
. . . and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
If you read my last blog, then you may remember the metaphor I used about a dance. The same is true in this situation. The wife (and husband) must determine whether or not the children are receiving enough attention if both parents are working.
Ephesians 5:22-33 (NIV) say's,
22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; 26that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members of His body. 33Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.
Simply put, the wife is to work together with the husband for the common good of the family. This means to help the husband by showing him respect and encouraging him as having the strength to lead the family in the way of righteousness. This thinking is counter-cultural in today's society and it isn't politically correct. It is however, God's design for the marriage. If the husband and wife both perform their roles in accordance with God's word, then it will be a successful marriage.
A wife should nurture, protect, and provide in this order, while a man should provide, protect, and nurture in that order. This formula is a good way to look at the bigger picture, and if followed then it should become a well-balanced home where the children can thrive.
Proverbs 31:10-12 (NIV) say's,
10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
1 Timothy 5:14 (NIV) say's,
So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us.
Titus 2:3-5 (NIV) say's,
3Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.
As the wife has agreed to the covenant of marriage just as the husband did, she has agreed to become one flesh. This can sometimes mean having to make sacrifices. It could mean sacrificing a career, sacrificing time with friends, or having way less"me time" for the sake of helping your family.
As one flesh there should be one bank account, one collective income (regardless of who earns it), one budget, and all to benefit one family.
If the wife accepts her role in submission, showing the husband respect, and the husband accepts his role in loving the wife as Christ loves the church, which means self-sacrificially serving, then the family can be like Heaven on earth to all in the home.
Be sure to read the next blog in this series on Parenting!
