As we wrap up our look at the Bible's take on women working, I want to introduce, or re-introduce you to three women in the Bible that this topic would probably have interested.

The first is Lydia. Her story can be found in Acts 16 where she is mentioned in verses 13-15 and 40.

Lydia is described as a seller of purple and a worshipper of God. She played an instrumental role in encouraging Paul and the others traveling with him. According to Women of the Bible by Sue and Dr. Larry Richards, Lydia's business specialized in luxury. Purple dye was difficult to obtain. She also oversaw a fairly large household, and was unmarried. It appears that her pursuits kept her busy and productive both in and out of the home (to be a dealer in purple cloth, she must have interacted with people away from her own home from time to time.) She was described in verse 15 as "faithful to the Lord" by Paul. Had he felt she was misguided in being a businesswoman, he likely would not have showered such high praise.

The story of Deborah appears in the Old Testament, in Judges 4 and 5. She served as a prophetess and a judge, both imporant roles in the life of Isreal. Judges were often men, but in this case, God appointed a woman for the role. While being a leader, the Isrealites engaged in a successful battle with the Canaanites. She must've been very good at her job, because her army commander, Barak, said he would lead the army as long as Deborah went with him. God seems to have restricted her from leading the army herself, (it is wise for women to know and accept healthy boundaries and limitations) and Barak had already been promised victory in verses 6-7. But this shows the respect that he and the people had for Deborah. Obviously, this type of leadership could not take place only in a home setting.

The last woman I'd like you to meet is one you may not be as familiar with. In 2 Kings 22:13-14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22 we meet another prophetess, Huldah. What is interesting about her is that at King Josiah's request, representatives came to find Huldah so that she could help them know the will of God and return to Him at a time when the people had not been following Him. She is briefly mentioned as a wife as well. There is no indication that her husband had a problem with her public role as a prophetess.

Over these last few weeks we've investigated several elements related to the question of whether a godly woman should or should not work outside the home. Taking in the "whole counsel of God'" I do not think a statement can be made either way. Instead, I see the following:

-God has equipped women with skills and gifts
-God desires women to be productive
-God does place importance on home management and family roles
-Women with young families should probably be especially aware of what affect their outside work will/can on the family, both positive or negative (be aware that sometimes, Dads staying home while a wife works can be a great fit for certain families!)
-God is honored by unity between husband and wife
-Women are wise to understand their limitations or boundaries
-Women should be encouraging one another to fulfill their roles in godly and productive ways, not projecting their individual choices on other women as absolutes
-A woman should consider why she wants to work outside the home and if lifestyle choices put too much pressure on the family finances.

I think a fitting conclusion to the matter, for both men and women, is summed up in Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Print This

Last week I introduced this potentially controversial topic, and today I'm sharing the potentially controversial verse--or one of the verses--that is sometimes used to "prove" that women should not work outside the home. Let's take a close look at Titus 2:5.

Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (NIV)

The main phrase pulled out of this verse to argue that women should remain at home is "to be busy at home." The Greek word used in his phrase is oikouros, which indicates such things as "guider of the home" or "diligent ruler of the home" and yes, even "stayer at home." With the rich layers of meaning, the phrase "busy at home" lifts the role of homemaker to a noble and respectable place. It acknowledges that:

-managing a home is hard work
-a woman has a great deal of influence in her home
-it takes focus, and time AT HOME, to manage a household well

However, to concentrate only on the words "at home" rather than "to be busy at home'" does not do the passage justice. Note the cadence of the verse. There are several "to be's" that relate to a woman's characteristics and behavior and it is logical to read them in that fashion: "to be..." The complete phrase here is "to be busy at home," not simply "to be at home." Is Paul then emphasizing the "what" of being at home more than the "where?"

It is quite possible for a woman to remain at home and yet not be productive and busy. Donna Partow shares in her book, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, "Let's think about this. One can be at home but not be busy. There are plenty of times that a woman can be lazy at home. Paul seems to be reminding women to be productive contributors at home."

Note also that the focus of this passage is that older women teach younger women. (Read Titus 2:4) They are to mentor them regarding behavior and attitudes. Perhaps the reference to "younger" women does indeed encourage those that would likely have young children consider a role primarily at home to be a desireable and honorable thing. In any case, Paul exhorts older women to invest in younger women and help them develop their valuable role in the home.

So, then, by encouraging women to regard the role of "diligent ruler (manager) at home) with dignity, is the Bible forbidding a woman to work outside the home? Next week we'll consider another Scripture that speaks to this type of question. Until them, be careful not to pull one verse out of Scripture on which to build a conviction without being willing to see what the Bible teaches as a whole on the subject. Print This