Week 15 Chapter 14 “The Ways of Her Household” Precious & Pleasant Riches

Many women are finding themselves with double the work, double the responsibilities, and double the stress. We are expected to care for our homes, our husbands’ needs, and our children's needs along with providing for our families. We do this whether we are sick, pregnant or have just had a baby. We are expected to dress our children, get breakfast down them in haste, figure out what to feed them for lunch, and get ourselves ready. We drop our babies in the arms of another as they cry, and, many times, we cry ourselves to work. Our life is nothing but a rush and a blur. What happened? How did things get so hard for us? Most of our mothers got us off to school and had time to play bridge.

Many Christian women use the example of the Proverbs woman to justify their working outside the home. They seem to like the independence and freedom from the mundane task of a homemaker. Some people believe that the Proverbs woman works away from her home. Did God intend a wife to work away from her home? Was she away from her children as most of the working wives are today? Was she under the authority of her own husband and therefore under the Lord?

We must be careful in teaching about the Proverbs woman; we must not add to His Words nor take any away. We must look at all the Scriptures that refer to women, wives, and especially mothers before making such an important decision to continue to work away from our home. We also must look at our fruits! It is my goal to help you to renew your mind. By searching His Word for our answer, we can form “His” opinion, apply it to our lives and then share it with other women. My heart’s desire is that you will be set free from the bondage of working outside your home so that you will be free to minister to the needs of your husband, your children, other (younger) women, the poor and the widows. “…and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

Your Own Husbands

Your own husbands. We should not be under another man's or woman's authority. “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” Eph. 5:22. “…you wives be submissive to your own husbands….” 1Pet. 3:1. “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” Col. 3:18. “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him.” Gen. 2:18.

Workers at home. Women “…be sensible, pure, workers at home….” Titus 2:5. The harlot, we are told, “…is boisterous and rebellious; her feet do not remain at home.” Prov. 7:11.

Divide the spoil. In this Scripture we are told of just one of the rewards of our remaining at home. “And she who remains at home will divide the spoil.” Ps. 68:12. Those of us who stay at home are able to take advantage of yard sales and thrift stores for incredible buys (dividing the spoil). Isn’t it such a shame how much money mothers are spending on their clothing for work?  And what about their children’s clothes that are outgrown before they even look worn? As a working wife, many times you not only miss out on these savings but cannot even shop the sales because time is not available. Also, those who stay at home are able to cook meals from scratch and do away with a lot of the expensive prepared foods. They also have time to make use of discount food sources like day-old bakeries. Yes, staying at home is a way of saving money and of being good stewards of the Lord's money.

The Consequences

When you sit in your house. It's important to learn God's laws and understand how they work. They are similar to the law of gravity. Following the law of gravity and God's laws will protect us. Here is one of God's law:, “And you shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deut. 6:7. In other words, we are to spend all day long teaching our children. When we are running around half crazy with all we are expected to do, how can we have time to even sit down with our children in our own houses?

“Quality time” contradicts this Scripture. We have seen the fruits of our children's behavior when we must leave them on their own or give them over to the care of someone else. No one has the same love and invested interest in the emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth of our children as we do. When we work, we cannot possibly be expected to give the same time and attention to our children. We know that no one can take our place when it comes to love, sacrifice, and patience with our children. When we are deceived or made to violate Scriptural principles relating to mothers, we are left to deal with the bad fruits. Our bad fruits are rebellious and demanding children who are now seen everywhere!

Helper suitable for him. Women's Liberation’s whole basis has been to encourage women to try to copy men's role in society. They have tried to “blur” our differences and make us unhappy in our “God-given,” specially created roles. “Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.' ” Gen. 2:18. They pushed us to get out and work, leaving behind our children, our homes and our husbands.

But God created the baby within her womb and gave that baby his food from her breasts. God gave her the patience and the capacity to nurture. This is the foundation of the love that the family is dependent upon. However, when we started to “blur” our roles, it had a devastating effect on our children, our homes, our families, our nation, and our entire society. But the most forgotten, the most overlooked effect is the devastating effect this has had on women.

House divided. “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” Matt. 12:25. A tactic of the enemy is to divide in order to conquer. By dividing the home through the wife working outside the home, the enemy has conquered the following:

Our children. When their mother is gone, children will look to peers for guidance and for approval, hence peer pressure.

Our daughters. When their mother is working away from the home and then too busy in the evenings to spend time with her daughters, girls look to a boyfriend for reassurance during their hormonal and body changes.

Mothers. When mothers began to work outside the home, they began to have their “own life.” Just like their husbands, they had their jobs and their friends at work. Even some of our own mothers are now “back at work” (or working for the first time).

Our husbands. So often when the wife has a job, a division occurs within the husband/wife relationship. Their interests are now divided, which results in infidelity or apathy. This division weakens the marriage, which eventually ends in divorce.

My hand made me this wealth. The husband and wife are also divided on what and when to buy, because they each have “their own money. ” “Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth….” Deut. 8:17-18. When a wife is bringing in part of the income, we witness major damage in their marriage. It creates independence between the husband and wife. Business Week magazine looked at divorce from a financial standpoint. Their study showed that “when a woman can provide for herself, she no longer needs to be married.” What they failed to note was that quite often the husband becomes dissatisfied with the wife's lack of attention. He searches for that attention, usually at his place of work, and then the wife is faced with adultery.

Troubles his own house. “He that is greedy of gain will trouble his own house.” Prov. 15:27. Many husbands encourage their wives to help out by going back to work, never realizing the ill effects this decision will have on their entire family. It will undermine his authority and will have devastating effects on his marriage, and especially on his children.

Weary yourself to gain wealth. With more money, instead of financially “getting ahead,” we usually increase our spending, and, in most instances, we are in a worse financial situation than before we went out to work. Prov. 23:4 says, “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Why don't we believe God's Word? “And my God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19. His ways are perfect. You can trust Him! If you are weary from being a workingwoman, then cry out to Him and Him alone. Don't run to your husband about it. (See lesson 5, “Won Without a Word.”)

A house divided against itself falls. Workingwomen are expected to divide their affections and their priorities. “But He knew their thoughts, and said to them, 'Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls.' ” Luke 11:17. When women are employed, they must fulfill and respond to all their bosses’ needs and desires just to keep their jobs. They begin to display toward their bosses attitudes and characteristics of an ideal wife! They are often asked to give away their time with their family by working late, coming in early or working weekends. They begin to show gratitude that should only be given to their husbands. When their bosses pay them a compliment on their appearance or on their work, they are thrilled. Their bosses may take them out to lunch or give them a bonus or gifts. Is it any wonder that many wives now leave their husbands and run away with their boss or co-worker? It's not just the husband leaving with his secretary or co-worker anymore!

No one can serve two masters. Workingwomen find themselves in two competing worlds. Each world has a different set of demands and rewards. Scripture tells us that we cannot serve two masters; no one can. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will hold to one and despise the other.” Matt. 6:24. And isn't that exactly what happens? We begin to follow one and then we begin to hate the other. A wife either loves work and her family and home become an irritation, or she hates work because she'd rather be at home.

Leave the presence of a fool. When women work outside the home, they begin to suffer many destructive pressures. Working with others, especially non-Christians, takes its toll on us spiritually. Though many feel they are the “light” in their place of work, most never really make a difference. The Scriptures tell us, “Leave the presence of a fool or you will not discern words of knowledge.” Prov. 14:7. And  “Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals.” 1Cor. 15:33. If your place of work is causing you to compromise your beliefs, it will eventually corrupt you.

Do not associate with a gossip. We women have many common weaknesses; one is gossiping. A common pastime of women in the workplace is gossip. We can't help it. A co-worker has a problem with her husband, so we cut him down together. She has, or you have, trouble with that new manager, so you murmur and complain all day, every day. Prov. 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.”

The ways of her household. When we work we begin to neglect important home responsibilities. “She looks well to the ways of her household….” Prov. 31:27. We are not able to do the things that we would do if we had time, such as baking, sewing, keeping our houses clean and in order, and training our children. Even meal preparation time is cut to a minimum. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” John 10:10. Ladies, Satan is a thief; he is stealing the abundant life God has for you! Even your husband's needs are put on the back burner. So many times he has to fend for himself when it comes to meals or having his clothes clean and pressed. Ladies, there are women at your husband's place of work who are looking for neglected husbands!

When we work, we cannot be at the door to greet our husband because we are picking up the children from day care, running errands and grocery shopping. Many men that find it's a lot like living as a bachelor without the benefits of peace and quiet. Could this have something to do with men choosing to have their own apartments rather than staying home?

But each one is tempted. When the husband realizes that his wife's listening ear is gone, as his wife hurries around in the evening to get ready for the next day, temptation is at the door. Since men don't confide in other men, they find that “listening, sympathetic ear” with another woman. “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1:14-15. Yes, death – death of a marriage.

Then when her husband announces that he is leaving, she is the first to say “good riddance” or “don't let the door hit you on the way out.” All too soon she finds herself sitting in a small, dumpy apartment with a welfare check and food stamps. It all began with her just “bringing in a little extra income.”

Cause to stumble. “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.” Luke 17:2. Is your working setting a bad example for other women? Is there someone who has seen the wonderful life that you exhibit and she has decided to return to work because it works so well for you? Or is she trying to stay at home but her husband thinks she is a “bump on a log” because your husband tells her husband how much money you bring in?

Marriage bed be undefiled. If you are working while your children are in school, you may not be home for your children after school. Many women think that the “right time” to go to work (or go back to school) is when their children are in school. So many children are “latchkey” kids spending hours in front of the television watching immoral shows. Don't leave them in that place of temptation. Shocking studies reveal that the parents’ own bed is the site of most premarital sex while the parents are both out working. Consider Heb. 13:4: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

To eat the bread of painful labors. Article after article is written to give women tips to get their husbands to help around the house, since women are helping with the income. Everyone expects them to do “their share” of the household chores. Studies have confirmed what we women already know: they rarely help out. Women are killing themselves doing “it all.” Ladies, God tells us “having it all” is vanity. “It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” Ps. 127:2.

It is gone. A wife working is financially unwise. Many mothers feel they must work outside the home in order to make ends meet. She earns more, but then ends up spending more. Instead of reducing the expenses by wise buying or doing some of the work herself, she must settle on higher prices. “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Prov. 23:4. If you wonder where this extra money is going, here are just a few women who have shared their experiences of working and spending:

“The food I buy is usually already or partially prepared, fast food or restaurant food for the speed and convenience. I am too tired to cook and I feel I deserve a break.”

“I don't shop where and how I used to. The clothes I buy are now at retail prices instead of shopping the sales, going to yard sales and thrift shops, or sewing them myself. I find I don't keep the family’s clothes in good condition (mended and pressed) like I used to. Instead, I give them away and buy new.”

“I find that I need a lot more clothes per person. The extra clothes are needed for my children and my husband since I can't get to the laundry as often as I used to. I also need a lot more nice clothes for myself that I never needed before I began working.”

“Now that I am working, we thought we could afford a good Christian education for our children. I used to teach our children myself at home; now I don't have that option.”

“We used to have only one car. I used to complain and thought I would gain so much freedom. We now have a second car with the added payments, insurance, maintenance, and extra gas. We really haven't gotten ahead at all. Now besides working to pay for the car, my husband has me running around doing all the things for him that he used to do for me!”

“We thought we were making more until it came to tax time. We found that more money is paid out in federal, Social Security, and state income tax because we are now in a higher tax bracket.”

“By the time I pay out the money for our one daughter's after-school care and the day-care bill, I figure I make about a half of minimum wage.”

Teaching what is good. If you are an older woman who works outside the home, you have no free time to fulfill the commandment given to older women to teach the younger women. In Titus 2:3-5 it says, “Older women…teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be dishonored.” Of course we know that the example of a wife who works outside the home speaks volumes. Many older women really don't need the money; they just don't know what to do with their time or they feel they are going stir crazy having their retired husband around all the time. Here are some suggestions:

Instead of spending time at a job, why not help the young, inexperienced mother? She often is not being helped by her own mother. She needs good godly counsel and direction in caring for and disciplining her children properly. You will also be available to be with your own daughter or daughter-in-law during or after the birth of your grandchildren.

If you remain in your home, you are available to open your home for hospitality, for spiritual guidance, or as a “haven” for younger women who are experiencing a difficult day.

So many older women are sharing the world's philosophies on marriage and child rearing. You will be rendered totally ineffective in regard to spiritual guidance since you have surrounded yourself with the foolish talk and ideas of the world.

Older women, we have a vital influence in godly wisdom, but it will be lost if you choose the world's ways rather than God's way. “Older women…teach what is good!” Titus 2:3.

Won without a word. But what if a husband tells his wife that she must work? First of all, realize that it is your husband's place to save the day. He is to be the savior of the body. “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.” Eph. 5:23. Many times we women are the ones who suggest going back to work, having a home business, or cutting back. Just be quiet! “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the Word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.” 1Pet. 3:1-2. Sit still, be quiet and pray. Then let your husband do what he feels should be done. Respect him by being silent and agreeing with his suggestions. (See lesson 5, “Won Without a Word.”)

I sought the Lord. But what if your husband tells you to go to work, or what if you suggested you go back to work by mistake, or what if your husband has left you? “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” Ps. 34:4-5. As you seek the Lord in your distress, you will have the added blessing of looking radiant!

Also, I stumbled on a real surprise. Larry Burkett wrote a book entitled Women Leaving the Workplace. The testimonies are awesome! They will show you the faithfulness of God on the wife's behalf. Skip the financial steps Mr. Burkett gives you to return home or to stay home. Stick to the testimonies because they will inspire you to trust God totally and not rely on the “works of the flesh.” The point you will see is to obey your husband and pray! God will give you the desires of your heart to remain or to return home. Pray that the Lord will give you favor with your husband, just as He did with Daniel when he would not compromise by eating the king's food. Recently I prayed for a woman who was told she would never have children; however, God had the last word and she conceived. She and her husband had always lived on a double income so their families continued to try to make her reconsider attempting to be a stay-at-home mom. Desperate, she got this book but was DISCOURAGED beyond words as Larry emphasized the need for “planning” and “putting funds away ahead of time”! I told her to STOP reading what he wrote and read the testimonies. Encouraged in her faith, they had their baby, she is staying at home and they are living better than when they had two incomes! This is God rewarding those who trust HIM, not in themselves or in a second paycheck!

Testimony: Stella* came to the fellowship with a great dilemma. Her husband who had left her was now requesting that she go back to work. Stella's daughters had just entered high school and she had always planned to stay at home with them during this crucial time in their lives.

That night we all prayed fervently for the Lord to deliver her. We also counseled her to submit to her husband and get a resume together. The next week she shared that no matter how hard she looked, she was unable to even get an interview (even with her incredible experience and references). For weeks we continued to pray for her deliverance. Stella's husband was drawing closer to her as she exhibited her submission to his request. He had started to weaken in his desire to have her work. He then told her that he would be returning home to her and the girls within the next few months!

However, one night when I entered our room the women were in fervent prayer again. Upon joining in, I was shocked at what I heard. Stella and the other women were praying differently. They were praying that she would get a job at some prestigious law firm that she had interviewed with that morning! I confronted Stella and the group, but they were adamant that this was the Lord's direction.

Stella did get her prestigious job. She has been working downtown with a new hairstyle and fabulous clothing. It's been almost seven years since her husband told her he was coming home. And if that wasn't sad enough, one of her daughters found herself in trouble during her senior year and the other daughter got mixed up with a much older divorced man the following year.

Testimony: Bobbie* was trusting the Lord for her marriage and trying to learn to be a submissive wife, even though her husband was living with another woman. One night her husband told her that he was going to have to sell her car to help out with some of his debts. He promised that he would get her something else to drive. (The car had been a gift from Bobbie's mother, was in great condition and was paid for.) In subjection, Bobbie put a sign in the car's window with the phone number. However, she prayed like crazy for the car “not to sell!” Every week her husband was amazed that no one even called to inquire about the car. He then decided to put the price on the sign and lowered it every week. Nevertheless, there were no nibbles. Then one evening he proclaimed how totally incredible it was that no one wanted this nice car. He told Bobbie that he had made other arrangements and told her to take the sign down from the window.

Bobbie still has the car that the Lord protected. It is now fifteen years old and her mechanic said it has many, many more miles to go. She said that she keeps it because it reminds her of God's faithfulness!

Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham. “For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands. Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.” 1Pet. 3:5-6. If your husband is adamant about more income, follow the steps below.

First, second and third, you must pray, pray and keep on praying! Ask God to change your husband's heart, provide the money you need and help you to reduce your bills. Debt is really the problem, so pray to get out of debt.

If your husband still insists on your working, pray for a way to bring in money without having to leave your home. Ask your husband how much more money needs to come in in order to meet the bills. Some women have been able to increase their family income without leaving the home, without putting their children in day care and without resisting their husbands’ authority. Again, ask God for wisdom and for direction. He will guide you and support you for your conviction to be obedient to your husband and to obey His Word to be “keepers at home.”

He may strongly support. Most importantly, have your heart steadfast on remaining at home. “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the whole earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His….” 2Chron. 16:9.

Caution: Don't take other children in as a “day-care” for other “working women” to supplement your income! You are encouraging other women to remain in the workplace with all the destructions that will befall their families. Also, they will feel secure knowing their children are in the care of a “good Christian woman.” Don't be deceived into thinking that “well, if they have to work, her children deserve Christian child care.” Read the book Who Will Rock the Cradle? (See our Suggested Reading on page 177.) If a woman inquires about your watching her children while she works, help her out on a temporary basis as you encourage her to stay home.

Turns him back. Take an opportunity each day to share with one working woman the destruction of her working outside the home, especially if she has small children. “My brethren, if any among you strays from the Truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:19-20. Remind her that a child needs his own mother; anything else is a counterfeit! Remember, Satan is the author of the counterfeit. He is a thief! Don't set yourself up as a counterfeit mother.

Quietness with it. So many women who have daycares in their homes have sacrificed the needs of their own children and families. Their children pick up so many destructive influences and infectious diseases. The tranquility of their homes is most definitely destroyed. “Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife.” Prov. 17:1.

Stewardship

Debt. Surely the biggest reason for women having to work is that we are a society in debt. Rather than waiting for the things that we want, we buy on credit. Instead of living within our means, we live above our means. Rom. 13:8 says to “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”

Getting out of debt. We must pray and work with God to get out of debt. This must be our heart's (and our prayers’) desire. If your husband is not behind it, you begin. Stop charging and make sure each purchase is absolutely necessary. See if you can fix or fix-up what you feel you must replace. The key is to wait! Also, don't forget to pray that your husband's heart will be turned to getting and staying out of debt. Unless we get a hold of this, we women will be (or have already been) “forced” to work. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” John 10:10. This is Satan's plan, to steal your children (to daycare), to divide your home (two careers) and to ultimately destroy your family (divorce).

But he overspends. Many women blame their husbands for his overspending. And often this is true. But that is not our problem; it's the Lord's because we are not over our husbands. “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” 1Cor. 11:3. Be quiet (win him without a word) about his spending. Give him the respect God commands. “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the Word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.” 1Pet. 3:1. Also, you must make sure the log is not in your eye. Are you overspending, too?

Testimony: Shari* got hold of the concept of getting out of debt and no longer charging from a Bill Gothard seminar. However, she was not the spender in the family. Her husband, who had left her, was the one who overspent. Nevertheless, Shari wanted to do what she could and leave her husband in the hands of the Lord. She claimed the verse in 1Cor. 7:14, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife….”

When she needed some new underwear for one of her sons and a haircut for herself, she approached her husband. He told her to go ahead and put it on the charge card since things were “a bit tight.” Gently she told him that “come to think about it, I really could wait for a hair cut and it would be simple to mend the underwear.” Puzzled, he asked her to explain why she wouldn't just charge them. She respectfully told her husband about the seminar's teachings and her desire not to put her husband into any more financial debt. He told her that it was really “okay,” but it was up to her.

Shari took this opportunity to give her husband all of her charge cards (a leap of faith for her). But God blessed Shari for her faithfulness and now their family is back together and working together toward getting completely out of debt. Her husband did tell her that, when she wouldn't buy underwear or cut her hair because of her convictions about not using credit cards any more, he was sure that she had really gone off the deep end! Praise the Lord that Shari's husband has also taken the plunge!

Contentment. As women we must begin first to be content and live within the means and provisions that our husbands can comfortably provide. “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Phil. 4:11. “And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1Tim. 6:8. By remaining content, we can help our husbands fulfill the following verse: “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1Tim. 5:8.

Faith. We women need to have faith that God will provide for our needs. (And so often our wants too!) If we can just wait! “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.” Ps. 27:14.

Love of money. Dr. McGee once said that it wasn't money that was evil, but the “love” of money. “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.” 1Tim. 6:10. “Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have….” Hebr. 13:5. The biggest pitfalls when you have the “love of money” are:

Getting deeper into debt. Once a wife begins working, rather than getting out of debt, the couple will likely get into deeper debt. You buy more and raise your standard of living. “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Prov. 23:4.

Feeling stuck. Many men, who later fell into immorality with someone at work, had expressed a desire to leave their jobs or positions, but felt stuck because of debt. “Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.” 1Cor. 6:18. At Restore Ministries we see that most men who fall into adultery do so at their place of work. They may not have the spiritual strength to “flee” when their families are depending on them for their paychecks. Joseph did have the spiritual strength; let us pray for our husbands to have the same. “And she caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me!' And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside.” Gen. 39:12.

Stop buying. One way to break the spending mode is to de-junk your house. Read the book Clutter's Last Stand about de-junking your life by Don Aslett. As you begin to see a lot of your possessions as junk, you stop buying unneeded purchases. It worked for me!

But the LORD weighs the motives. Pray for your husband to be able and willing to support your family. One of the reasons why your husband is not fully supporting your family may be because you handle the finances. A man is ripped of his manliness when his wife pays the bills. Men are unaware of how much is coming in and how much is going out. If he is in charge, he may be motivated to work harder to earn more or to cut back on his and your spending.

Many women feel very uncomfortable when their husbands control the finances. It’s too much submission for their liking. Most women don't want their husbands to even know how much money they spend or what they spend money on. They would rather “control” the money. This is a big mistake. We may say we handle the finances because we are better with numbers, have more time, or are more responsible, but Prov. 16:2 says “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.” We need to be under our husband’s authority in everything! “But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.” Eph. 5:24. Trust the Word and try this method of your husband controlling the finances and checkbook. See if you don't have a better worker and more responsible man for you to love and respect.

Testimony: Debbie* and Nancy* went through school together. They got married only a week apart from each other. However, they had two totally different concepts about who should control the finances. Both of the women's husbands were quite irresponsible with money. Debbie decided that if they were ever to get ahead, she would have to take charge. Nancy, on the other hand, had seen the destruction that had occurred in her family growing up when her mother held the checkbook and paid the bills. So she knew God must have a different plan.

These ladies have each been married for eighteen years. Debbie has worked throughout their marriage and they still live in the same condo they bought just after they got married. Once, when it was Debbie's birthday, Nancy asked Debbie's husband what he was going to get her for her birthday. Embarrassed, he stated that he had no way of getting her anything. He said that if he asked her for some more money, she would ask “what for?”; then she would say she didn't need anything, and the subject would be dropped. Her husband did have a good heart, though. He ended up going to the grocery store where she worked as a cashier and brought a bouquet of flowers to her aisle; he said this was the only way he could surprise her.

Nancy knows that she took the right road. Her husband has been the sole provider for several years now and they have a large home with land for themselves and their children. The added bonus to applying this Biblical principle, even though she didn't know it was a Biblical principle, was that she is one blessed woman! She has a lot of beautiful jewelry, a closet full of gorgeous clothes and even a full-length mink coat. She says that she never would buy any of these things for herself, but her husband insists! She also says that she has never had one day of worrying or a sleepless night over a lack of finances, even though things had at times been tight.

Maybe you don't want jewelry or a mink coat, but I'm sure you all would appreciate a husband who shows you how much he cherishes you and takes on the burdens of your life!

Servant of all. Many women feel that they are not utilizing their “God-given talents” if they stay in the home to care for their husband and children. But that is not Christ's message. “And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.’ ” Mark 9:35. Jesus spoke those words to the apostles as they tried to compete to see who was the greatest. Jesus also said of Himself “I came not to be served but to serve” (Matt. 20:28). Jesus could have been anything He wanted and yet He “chose” to serve. You too have many talents. Will you choose to follow Christ in servanthood? Certainly there is no better place to be a servant than as a wife and mother, when we consider God's Word. He says we are “Great”!

Let us all pray Ps. 37:4-9 out loud: Ps. 37:4   “Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light…Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way…Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing…But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.”

May God return and keep Christian women at home!

Personal commitment: To obey God's command to be workers at home and to teach this to younger women. “Based on what I have learned from God's Word, I commit to praying to remain or return home. I will be a helper to my own husband. I will teach and train my own children. I will appreciate the home God has given me and take good care of it. I will share the Truth with other working women and pray for their return home.”

Warning: Be very careful of multilevel marketing concepts, especially ones that tell you about great amounts of money for very little work. “A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth, and does not know that want will come upon him.”  Prov. 28:22. Many groups tell you it's just getting people signed up, but Prov. 13:11 says, “Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.” The most distressing thing about multilevel marketing is the way these marketing advisors have you exploit your friendships. Just a couple of nights ago I got a phone call from a man whom I didn't even know. He said he had met our family at a home school meeting years ago. He began to praise my children, going on for several minutes, and me. Then I found out the real reason for his call: he had a business that was looking for superior individuals like my husband and myself. This has happened dozens of times before. “There is nothing reliable in what they say; their inward part is destruction itself; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.” Ps. 5:9.