Recently I was troubled to read of a woman who was offered a job which would take her and her husband to another state. This was not because he had a job in that state, but yet they were seriously considering moving for her to take that job as though it could be God's will.
Now in this modern world, many Christians would accept a decision like that without question or qualms.
That is why I believe caution must be applied & the Bible studied on this issue.
What are some Biblical principles women can apply?
I will give some thoughts and conclusions I have come to on the issue of married women, and then share links to some articles I found on the subject authored by pastors. I do not agree 100% with one of them, but I do think they offer some additional good insight.
Ephesians 5 talks about a wife being subject to her
own husband (as wells as 1 Peter 3:1 in the case of the unbelieving husband),
Titus 2:4-5 talks about women are to be workers in the home (young widows were to remarry and have children and do this).
The Proverbs 31 woman worked in her home making things, and she took her goods out to be sold to tradesmen (
nowhere does it say she was employed by another man not her husband). She made other household decisions like buying a field.
Woman was created to be a helper to her husband (Genesis 2:18).
Women often helped in church ministry and with support in the Bible. Older women are to teach younger women to love their husbands and their children (Titus 2:4).
Those are some of the Biblical views I find of married women.
In a practical sense, we know there can be temptations in the workplace when people are under someone not their spouse. Husbands and wives are cemented / glued together and that relationship reflects Christ's relationship with the church. It is something that is not held as sacredly in a world that mocks the marriage relationship in many ways.
We know that the married woman is going to be subject to another person in most employment situations outside the home (unless there is a family business, ministry or an independent job). If that boss is a man other than the husband, then there can be a conflict of who the leader of that woman is when we look in the Bible at how people are to treat their employers or masters.
Men are to be the head of their wives and the main providers. It troubles me to see men who subject themselves to their wife's career, because it seems to fly in the face of their role as leaders and providers.
1 Tim. 5:8 says that someone who does not provide for his own is worse than an infidel (note that it is
his own).
Ephesians 5:23 says that husbands are the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the Church.
Ephesians 5:29 indicates men are to nourish and cherish their wives.
Men leading, nourishing & cherishing their wives I believe includes leading in finances.
The married Christian woman's priority is to be her home & husband.
The dangers and risks are high for women working in employment outside the home - not only falling into temptation (which can also happen online) but neglecting Biblical priorities.
Married women with children cannot fulfill their Biblical role properly when they neglect their primary responsibilities to their family. I strongly believe there are Biblical principles that apply here. Most people are following cultural Christian norms reflecting the secular world & not applying the Bible to this area of their lives. Many Christians follow the world and not the Word in their everyday decision making and practice. It should not be the norm for married Christian women to be working for a man not her husband in an employment situation.
That is my strong conviction & yes I realize that this post will be stepping on many toes.
Unless a man is disabled, his job is foremost. I personally do not believe married women should work outside the home except from the home as her headquarters or "office" under the leadership & care of her husband.
I realize some disabled men may not be able to work at all, and there may be some other unusual circumstances, but we are talking norms here.
I'm not judging anybody else's salvation here on this topic.
We are all on different levels of spiritual growth & Biblical knowledge and convictions.
I truly do not believe women should subject her husband to her having a career where her husband has to follow her around.
I would encourage all women to study the Bible more. and get their wisdom from it.
Women and Work Outside The Home
Leadership in the Home - A Godly Man Provides
Ephesians 5:22-24 NASB
Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For 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. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
Colossians 3:18
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Titus 2:4-5
so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored
1 Tim 5:14
Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach;