SHOULD MOM TAKE A JOB?=+
What creative measures can families take to keep Mother=+
from having to work outside the home?=+
by=+
Wendell E. Miller=++

Q.  It seems to me that mothers should be at home taking care
of the children instead of working outside the home. What do
the Scriptures teach on this subject? =++

A.  The news media reports that more and more women are
working outside the home,and that millions of "latch-key"
children come home to an empty house. There is good reason to
be concerned. =++

However, we should be careful to find a view that is
biblically balanced and compassionate. Many women are
struggling valiantly to keep the home together against great
odds. Some are working to help their husbands support the
family, and some, contrary to their greatest desires, are
shouldering the entire load as single parents. =++

In applying the Scripture to issues of Christian living, we
need to remember the church council that is recorded in the
Book of Acts (15:5-29). The lesson of this church council is
that Christianity is not to be a matter of legalistic rules.
Instead, we must look to broad biblical principles for
guidance in making decisions that pertain to particular
situations. =++

For instance, there is the law of love. Christians are to love
God and to love neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40). Jesus said that all
of the Law of the Old Testament was based on these two
commandments. =++

Thus, the law of love must be our guide in determining a
biblical position on working mothers (Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:14;
and James 2:8). =++

God has commanded parents to bring up their children in the
"nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). Loving God
means obeying Him (John 14:15). So, bringing up children in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord is one way of loving
God. =++

Thus, the mother who is considering working outside the home,
or the father who is encouraging her to work outside the home,
should consider how this work would affect parenting. =++

If working outside the home means neglecting biblical nurture
and admonition, and working outside the home can be avoided,
then it is sinful for her to work outside the home. The mother
(and the father, if there is a father in the home) should
consider the reasons for her working outside the home. If the
reason is covetousness, then it would be sinful for her to
work outside the home. =++

Some women are working to supplement the family income because
one (or both) of the parents is undisciplined in spending. Or,
perhaps they don't know how to manage money. =++

It may well be a spiritual problem. Many women would be able
to stay at home with the family if the family would learn to
economize and to "do without" (see "Learning to Wait and Do
Without" in the Q&A Counseling Articles index).=++

If the mother's motive for working outside the home is to
provide for her own, rather than being dependent on
governmental aid, then her working outside the home can be a
godly example to the children, and a valuable part of
parenting (1 Tim. 5:8). =++

Of course, she will need to use every opportunity to be a
biblical parent in the time that she has with her children.
=++

She can even use her lack of time to do for the children as an
opportunity to develop responsibility and helpfulness in the
children. She can use this opportunity to teach them to have
the heart of a servant (Matt. 20:27). Whether she works away
from home or not, she must not become a servant to them,
allowing them to be self-indulgent. =++

Some Christians who own businesses or manufacturing companies
might be able to provide jobs in which mothers would start
work after the children are in school (or are on the school
bus) and be back home when the children are out of school. =++

It is likely that a shorter workday would increase overhead
costs for the employer; and so employer and employee should be
governed by the law of love in determining, and in being
content with, wage levels.  =++

The woman who works in the home all day has an opportunity to
do many things to save money. =++

In contrast, the woman who works outside the home does not
have either the time or the energy to do everything that can
be done to economize. Further, she has expenses such as
clothing, transportation, and/or child care that devour much
of the money that she makes working outside the home. =++

Another way for a mother to fulfill her parental role and
still help with the family income is finding an opportunity to
make money in the home. This is the way that the woman of many
virtues made money for her family's needs (Prov. 31:10-31).
=++

However, some labor laws, health laws and zoning laws,
national and/or local, limit the kinds of work that can be
done in the home. Some of these laws are contrary to the good
of the family and should be changed. =++

An ideal way for parents to meet financial needs, and at the
same time fulfill their parental responsibilities, is to
establish a home business. =++

A home business is a modern day continuation of the principle
of the family farm or family store. It provides an
opportunity: 1) for the mother to be with the children; 2) for
the father to have a more active part in parenting, including
home schooling; and 3) for the children to be a part of the
family business, learning to work and learning to be a
responsible part of society (see "`Deuteronomy 6' Schooling"
in the Q&A Counseling Articles index).=++

Another way for mothers to stay home with their children is
for the family to build a house, if able. This can cut the
monthly house payment and/or reduce the number of years
required to pay for a home. =++

If a family finances a home on a $50,000 home mortgage for 25
years at ten percent, and makes monthly payments of $454.35
(excluding taxes), then the total cost of the house (principal
plus interest) will be $136,305.46.  =++

In contrast, if they do most of the construction work
themselves, finance $25,000 at ten percent, and make monthly
payments of $415.03, then the total cost of $34,862.52 will be
paid in seven years-and they will have saved $101,442.94 in
interest! =++

What an opportunity! The mother can stay home with the
children and still help her husband save perhaps $100,000. 
=++

Even children at the ages of five or six can help by picking
up scraps of wood. Older children and Mom can help in varying
degrees--with the parents always being careful to protect the
children from danger. =++

The benefits to the family of working together in home
construction are similar to those outlined for a home
business. =++

Working together in home construction or in a home business
are two ways to unite the family in a common purpose. =++

Many families will find that society puts obstacles in the way
of family home construction and/or home business in which the
children participate. =++

The children's school, whether public or private, may schedule
so many activities and put so much pressure on the children to
participate that the children do not have time to be of help
at home. In fact, they may not even have time to care for
their own needs, much less have time to help the family. =++

Further, the need to transport the children to their
activities may even seriously limit the parents' time that is
available for home construction. =++

In like manner, the local church, through overly ambitious
programs, may hamper the family in a cooperative effort to
build their home, as well as in other efforts to build the
family as the central unit of society. Be aware of these
potential problem areas. =+
Self-help home construction projects also provide an
opportunity for Christians to show their love for one another.
=++

Some Christian groups make it a practice of helping one
another in home (as in barn) construction. However, in many
church groups, and with many individuals, it will be necessary
to reevaluate priorities and to de-emphasize self-indulgent
activities (some are even called "Christian fellowship") if
the people are to love one another in this way. =++

Working mothers? Follow them around at home all day, and you
will see. Or try to do their work for a day, and you will
understand. Mothers are supposed to work and they do. But how
can they best utilize their efforts? =++

There are several questions for each family to consider. Is it
really necessary for the mother to work outside the home? Can
the other family members help reduce the need for extra
finances? Can she reduce the costs of running the household by
more efficiently doing her job? Can she help the family
finances by creative activities in the home? Can she work
outside the home and still obey the commandment to bring up
the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?=++

What are the most godly uses for the mother's time and
efforts? How can she be the best servant to, and ambassador
for, her Savior? How can she have the most godly influence,
first to her own family, and then in her church and in her
community? =++

Copyright 1988 by Wendell E. Miller=+
Downloaded from http://www.biblical-counsel.org=++

May be reprinted and distributed in quantities if distributed
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