Young women are to be keepers at home. They must be submissive to their husbands. These are NOT my opinions. They are not God's suggestions, descriptions or opinions, either. They are God's prescription for young women! When women are offended or feel judged when you encourage them to be keepers at home and submissive, explain to them that they are going to have to take it up with God, not you, since you had no part in writing the blueprint for a Christian's life.
The fact that Lydia was a "seller of purple" is a description of her, not a prescription for all of us. The fact that the Proverbs 31 woman sold girdles to the merchants is a description of her work, not a prescription for all women. Nowhere in the Bible does God command women to sell anything or to be workers outside of the home. He commands young women to be keepers at home. Therefore, if a young woman has a husband and children, God's standard for her is to be a keeper at home; raising her own children, training and disciplining them, keeping her home clean and tidy, and fixing nourishing food for them. "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully" {I Timothy 5:14}.
Again, this verse isn't a suggestion, an opinion or a description but a command given by God to young women and we best be doing what we can to not water it down, not be afraid to teach it, and do everything we can to encourage young women to be at home so they will not blaspheme the Word of God, "...teach the young women to be ...keepers at home...that the word of God be not blasphemed" {Titus 2:3-5}. Be at home, NOT running around from here to there but "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" {I Thessalonians 4:11}.
I have found that my posts about women being keepers at home are, by far, my most popular posts. My posts Living on Rice and Beans, Lost Art of Homemaking, Walk in the Ancient Paths and many more like them are the most read.
I believe that most women, when they hear this message and ponder it, realize it is exactly what they want to do. They are tired of the marathon of trying to juggle marriage, raising children, keeping a home, and a job outside of the home. They're exhausted and the idea of coming home sounds wonderful to them.
When they finally come home, they have a brand new attitude of finding joy in raising their children, loving and respecting their husband, and keeping a clean and tidy home. They realize it is the ministry the Lord has called them to, ordained for them, and they are happy and content in it. Instead of thinking life is better "out there," they are raising godly offspring for God's kingdom! "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD" {Psalm 113:9}.
It's okay to raise daughters whose greatest desire is to be a wife and mother since this is God's prescription for young women. It's okay if they don't want to go to college but decide instead to minister in their church, in their neighborhood or in their community. They also can minster to their own family by learning how to cook, clean and help with the younger children. There is NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS!!! In fact, God is very well pleased. "The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit" {I Corinthians 7:34}.
Stop listening to the opinions and ways of the world. Look into God's Word. Don't look at examples of people given in the Word for there are even liars, thieves, and murderers in the Bible. Look at God's prescription for women. All of your answers are in there; every single one!
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a
workman who does not need to be ashamed,
accurately handling the word of truth.
workman who does not need to be ashamed,
accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Charlie Wadd · 525 weeks ago
Bev · 525 weeks ago
Lori Alexander 122p · 525 weeks ago
He created us with breasts and a womb, with a sensitive, nurturing and emotional make up to raise children and commands that older women teach young women to love their children. God also said to be fruitful and multiply and that the purpose of marriage is to produce godly offspring so I do think that God definitely wants women to bear children!
Amy · 524 weeks ago
Lori Alexander 122p · 524 weeks ago
Amy · 524 weeks ago
Ken · 525 weeks ago
Certainly Paul's admonition, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, for young Christian women to bear children and lead godly lives as keepers at home, is in keeping with what is seen throughout the Bible. Paul just comes out as states this principle clearly in I Tim. 5:14.
What we may want to see in the Bible is a list of exceptions to the rule or principle. Exceptions can exist on this subject just as any other. A perfect example is that a wife is to submit to her husband "in everything," but we know that she is not to submit to willful sin. So too one can find exceptions where a young mother may not bear children, or may have young children and not be a keeper at home. The vast majority of working Christian women want to see themselves as an exception, and their reasons are many, yet I fear that by not doing what God clearly desires for their lives they end up with second best. We see it all the time with tired, overworked and unappreciated wives and mothers trying to be heroic and have a career and raise small children. Whenever one goes against God's principles they risk missing the many blessings that might have been in store or them had they followed his clear ways.
Is it a sin for a young wife not to bear children, or to work outside the home when she has young children? For some it is definitely sin as even their conscience condemns them. Of others it may be a sin based on ignorance, not yet knowing what the Bible teaches. But now that they are exposed to the clear words of the Bible on the subject, each couple must address the issue before the Lord and deal with it. Delaying children is most likely not a sin, but it does potentially rob the couple of one more precious gift that is far greater than any ego or money a wife is ever going to make.
I would argue that only in very rare circumstances of not being able to get pregnant, or significant health issues related to pregnancy and having "no children" could be honoring to God and His Word, but the idea that it is a choice for a Christian couple not to have kids is as unbiblical as choosing not to to go to church. Both are clear mandates on the Christian life and to not do them will almost always result in many lost blessings and the opportunity to walk in the life that God has designed for the believer.
I have now 6-7 children that are mine, but they are not my own. They actually refer to me as their uncle, and their existence is directly related to my talking the couples into have children. Each of these four couples had decided that "no children" was to be their life, and a dinner or two together was enough to get the couple to change their mind. Usually this is because the husband wants no children and the wife does want children but she promised she would not need any when they were married and now would not go against her promise.
These couples are so happy they had children. These children are precious gifts from God and the greatest riches these couples will ever have. Do we really think that God, the Creator of all things does not know what He is talking about? Really?
katy010305 45p · 525 weeks ago
Christine · 525 weeks ago
K G · 525 weeks ago
Trudy Callan · 525 weeks ago
HappyHomemaker · 525 weeks ago
Ken · 525 weeks ago
I am reminded of the illustration by David Needham in his book "Birthright," where a King had a beautiful, gem filled scepter by which he ruled the earth. The scepter fell from the King's hands and was picked up one day by a carpenter and used to hammer nails. Years after it was used to clean out garbage cans. The King's scepter was quite useful for many years, but one day it was found by someone who knew what it was. It was cleaned up, gems replaced, and returned to its rightful owner where the scepter once again shined off its greatest beauty and usefulness "in the hands of the Creator King."
So too it is with you and me. We can lead the most productive of lives. Wives can be whatever they want, even the President, but it is only when a man and woman of God are fully in the hands of God, doing what He has called us to be and to do, that the glory shines through the scepter. It is only in the hand of our King, the Lord Jesus, that we can ever be much more than productive in this life. Being productive is great, but shining God's glory for the universe and angels to see, that is why we were made, and that is the greatest fulfillment of our lives.
And to think that for so many of us the greatest glory we can attain to is to walk humbling, and serve Him as He has prescribed with being godly Mom's and Dad's as our greatest achievement and legacy for the next generation of shining scepters. It is not what we do that gives us glory and fulfillment, but rather resting fully in the Creator's hand as we seek to love and please Him.
For the world, they only know this life and whatever glory they can generate from it on their own. And they wonder why no matter what heights of glory, or job they do, they never are completely fulfilled by what they create. It is but an artificial copy of what God will do with a life, perhaps a seemingly mundane and unromantic life, which is sold out and resting in His will and hands.
Trudy Callan · 525 weeks ago
Lori Alexander 122p · 525 weeks ago
Diana · 525 weeks ago
Katie · 525 weeks ago
There are days that just seem so difficult, especially for Christians everywhere. Just with the direction the world is going and all. I think and pray, Why doesn't God and Jesus just come back already and put an end to the evil in this world once and for all? I understand we need to serve Him and share the good news with others, and I do this the best I know how. Yet I still wonder. I have loved ones in heaven that I'd love to see again. Don't get me wrong, I love life. I just worry things will keep getting worse for Christians everywhere.
last · 525 weeks ago
Marie · 523 weeks ago
Cheryl Henninger · 323 weeks ago
Our children are now 24 and 17 and frankly, I miss being at home and doing for my family. Yes, I get an hourly wage to do what I do (I'm a warehouse cashier for delivery trucks) but I'd rather be entrusted by my husband to organize our files, maintain our budget and pay our bills electronically than be away and doing it for a company.
My husband has told me (after my debts are paid off aka car loan and credit cards) that it would be feasible to come back home. I haven't always responded in the best way but I'm thankful for him and love him more for offering the possibility. Truly, home is where I want to be. I thank God for him.