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NASB | 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, |
Bible Question:
Thanks Charis for the warm welcome: -) It so wonderful to see the mysteries of God for life being unveiled. That brings me to another question. What is the role of a Christian wife? Does she stay at home to have and raise children? Is it ok for her to go and work and desire a career? What if she desires to stay at home, however the husband needs her to work for the extra money to help him with the bills? This is a down to earth question. However it seems that most people I come across in many Christian families have this as a huge issue. |
Bible Answer: Dear Louder, Before I specify the role of the Christian wife-mother, I think it is proper to clarify the role of the Christian husband-father. I firmly believe that the order of priority in the home is, serve God, serve immediate family, serve your local church family, then do a good job in whatever you do in order to pursue the above three priorities. Sure, men (and women) can have a career, if their priorities are straight. Men have the responsibility to be the pillar of their household, and this can only be accomplished if they are around and available. A modern 'career-minded' person has a hard time fulfilling his-her true responsibilities in Jesus. A 'two-career' family has little or no chance of serving the Lord in the way that He wants. Some may disagree with me, but I am sure that reality is on my side. Christian wife, can she work? Yes. There are many kinds of work that allow you to make money while serving Christ-family-church. Staying at home and raising children is not a prison sentence, unless you make it one! The Bible portrays this as honorable and fufilling. Can she work if necessary? Yes, but often greed overcomes honesty. Get out of financial debt, by all means! But don't use it as an excuse to get away. Also, don't stay in debt. I have seen that paying taxes, day-care or baby-sitters and giving your kids guilt-offering bribes for not being around can cost more than not working. If you have 'too-much house,' move! No true Christian will judge you for repenting of pride and greed. Re-evaluate your life with Christ in mind, and careers, houses, cars, bank accounts, 'personal freedom' and worldy 'self-esteem' disappear. Jesus replaces all these things with holy satisfaction in Him. In Jesus' name, charis |