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As we know, Ephesians 5:25 instructs Christian men to love their wives unconditionally.

In Genesis 3:17 - God cursed Adam to work for his daily bread.

Do you think God intended Christian men to be the solo breadwinners for their wive and kids?

Quote from: TraitsOfGodlyMan on Wed Mar 02, 2016 - 16:30:39
As we know, Ephesians 5:25 instructs Christian men to love their wives unconditionally.

In Genesis 3:17 - God cursed Adam to work for his daily bread.

Do you think God intended Christian men to be the solo breadwinners for their wive and kids?

I think God intends for men and women do our very best and to work at whatever we do for His glory. 

Well said...thanks for your feedback.

It's been that way historically, only in modern times do women work really. I don't think it's a major issue myself (though spiritually it could lead to a major issue in the household), but I would be disturbed by a household with a working woman but not a working man.

Quote from: LexKnight on Wed Mar 02, 2016 - 16:54:01
It's been that way historically, only in modern times do women work really. I don't think it's a major issue myself (though spiritually it could lead to a major issue in the household), but I would be disturbed by a household with a working woman but not a working man.

I think both spouses should work if they can without compromising their children upbringing. For me, it disturbs me the sole idea of one working partner.

Quote from: Alma1995 on Wed Mar 02, 2016 - 20:09:58

Quote from: LexKnight on Wed Mar 02, 2016 - 16:54:01
It's been that way historically, only in modern times do women work really. I don't think it's a major issue myself (though spiritually it could lead to a major issue in the household), but I would be disturbed by a household with a working woman but not a working man.

I think both spouses should work if they can without compromising their children upbringing. For me, it disturbs me the sole idea of one working partner.

Why? Other than the last century, it's always been like that. You even see it in the Scriptures, the glory of women being connected to her children, while the glory of men to their strength (for work). Paul even said if a man does not provide he is worse off than an unbeliever, he never gave such a warning to a woman. In the beginning it was Adam that was created to subdue the fields and Eve to be his companion. In other words, it's clearly there.

This is not a knock against couples who mutually decides to both work for more financial growth (it's their decision), but it seems God puts the responsibility of providing on the man but not the woman.

Quote from: LexKnight on Wed Mar 02, 2016 - 20:39:15
Why? Other than the last century, it's always been like that. You even see it in the Scriptures, the glory of women being connected to her children, while the glory of men to their strength (for work). Paul even said if a man does not provide he is worse off than an unbeliever, he never gave such a warning to a woman. In the beginning it was Adam that was created to subdue the fields and Eve to be his companion. In other words, it's clearly there.

Is that how you see the woman of Proverbs 31? 

How about Lydia - a seller of purple (royal) cloth in Acts 16?

QuoteThe Bible shows that it was not unusual for ancient women to have a job. The Bible mentions women who worked in commercial trade (Prov 31:16a, 24; Acts 16:14 ), in agriculture (Josh 15:17-19; Ruth 2:8; Prov 31:16b), as millers (Exod 11:5; Matt 24:41), as shepherds (Gen 29:9; Exod 2:16), as artisans, especially in textiles (Exod 26:1 NIV; Acts 18:3), as perfumers and cooks (1 Sam 8:13), as midwives (Exod 1:15ff), as nurses (Gen 35:8; Exod 2:7; 2 Sam 4:4; 1 Kings 1:4) as domestic servants (Acts 12:13, etc) and as professional mourners (Jer 9:17). Women could also be patrons (Acts 16:40; Rom 16:1-2) and leaders (Judg ch 4-5; 2 Sam 20:16). One Bible woman even built towns (1 Chron 7:24).  Many women, and men, worked from home, yet the Bible nowhere criticises women who worked outside the home, in the public sphere.

http://newlife.id.au/equality-and-gender-issues/new-testament-working-women/

Quote from: TraitsOfGodlyMan on Wed Mar 02, 2016 - 16:30:39Do you think God intended Christian men to be the solo breadwinners for their wives and kids?

LexKnight did a very good job of answering your question.

At the risk of sounding old fashioned,  I think the increase in both parents working has led to an increase in divorce.

Titus 2, 3-5

The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as be cometh holiness, not false accusers, not given

to much wine, teachers of good things, 

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands,  to love their children.

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good , obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not

blasphemed.

Quote from: Texas Conservative on Thu Mar 03, 2016 - 06:25:56At the risk of sounding old fashioned,  I think the increase in both parents working has led to an increase in divorce.

Brother you are absolutely correct~I would NOT desire my wife or daughters to be in a position of having to work, or, working in an environment where she must be in subject to another man. Yet, to say that it is against the scripture for a woman to work is going beyond the revealed will of God. My wife worked before the children were born and after they all were in school, yet never under the direct authority of a man, but always around and under women at Bell South. My oldest daughter works, yet for yourself. My second daughter works as well, yet from her home, as a university professor at South University. I am not really sure about my youngest since she just changed job, yet she been taught as her other sisters have.

Quote"keepers at home"

I believe is best explained with these scriptures:

Quote1st Timothy 5:13,14~And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully

Would it be more commendable if a woman did not work outside of the house, I would say yes, but, that does not mean that they cannot~if prudents is used, in light of understanding the human nature and its propensity to sinning under the right opportunity presenting itself to own sinful desires that works in the very best of God's children. 

I believe its best, but I also wont force what "feels" right to me upon anyone else.  If my daughters and daughters in law work and have to leave their children in the care of others, I will do my best to be the one that helps them.

I currently watch the children of mothers who work.  I see the look of shame in their eyes and hear them say things akin to "Im bad" as they hand their kids to me.  Heartbreaking.  I do my best to encourage them, build them up, tell them what they ARE doing well and reminding them how much their children know they are loved by their mamas. 

Not every stay at home mom is a good one. I was raised by one and I always knew she resented me.  Its the heart of the mama that matters most, not the amount of hours spent.

Quote from: Texas Conservative on Thu Mar 03, 2016 - 06:25:56
At the risk of sounding old fashioned,  I think the increase in both parents working has led to an increase in divorce.

TC, this is absolutely true. Back during the leave it to beaver days, divorces were almost unheard of.  But it became harder for families to succeed on only one income and women were forced to enter the workforce to help make ends meet. Ironic that what was meant to hold the family unit together turned out to be its greatest downfall..

Quote from: Jd34 on Thu Mar 03, 2016 - 08:53:02

Quote from: Texas Conservative on Thu Mar 03, 2016 - 06:25:56
At the risk of sounding old fashioned,  I think the increase in both parents working has led to an increase in divorce.

TC, this is absolutely true. Back during the leave it to beaver days, divorces were almost unheard of.  But it became harder for families to succeed on only one income and women were forced to enter the workforce to help make ends meet. Ironic that what was meant to hold the family unit together turned out to be its greatest downfall..

I believe divorce wasn't so common back in the day because of the same thing. A divorced woman would have find it hard to find a job so remaining married even if the relationship had flaws was the "lady" thing to do. And I was born in the 90s, all the woman I've known in my life had a job. The only ones that hadn't one was the elderly ones that couldn't even read and married when they were 15.

Spousal abuse that was quite common back in the day didn't seem to escalate the divorce rates either, divorce just wasn't common or even accepted back then.

Quote from: Alma1995 on Thu Mar 03, 2016 - 17:30:32

Quote from: Jd34 on Thu Mar 03, 2016 - 08:53:02

Quote from: Texas Conservative on Thu Mar 03, 2016 - 06:25:56
At the risk of sounding old fashioned,  I think the increase in both parents working has led to an increase in divorce.

TC, this is absolutely true. Back during the leave it to beaver days, divorces were almost unheard of.  But it became harder for families to succeed on only one income and women were forced to enter the workforce to help make ends meet. Ironic that what was meant to hold the family unit together turned out to be its greatest downfall..

I believe divorce wasn't so common back in the day because of the same thing. A divorced woman would have find it hard to find a job so remaining married even if the relationship had flaws was the "lady" thing to do. And I was born in the 90s, all the woman I've known in my life had a job. The only ones that hadn't one was the elderly ones that couldn't even read and married when they were 15.

I had my children in the 90's and I stayed home.  I can read, have taught and wasn't married until my 20's.  Knew quite a few others that also knew how to read and were not married in their teens, that also gave their lives to the call to raise up their children and running their home.  It is a pleasure and a privileged to do so!  But, when we lived in the city, most worked.