IS IT RIGHT for a Christian wife and mother to work outside the home? If yes, when is it okay and when is it not?

We must look to God’s Word for the answers, and consider simply two errors to avoid in relation to this question:

First, do not fall into the error of being conformed to this world [Romans 12:1-2]. The world, largely through feminism (including within the church), has demeaned home-making as being of less or even of no importance and has then told women that they are being oppressed to be kept in the home. The truth from God’s Word is that the home is the earthly priority of a Christian wife and mother, and being in the home is a privilege and joy. Consider also these highlights from Proverbs 31, pointing to the excellent wife’s priority being her husband, children and home:

“She does [her husband] good, and not harm, all the days of her life” [v.12];

“She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household” [v.15];

“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” [v.27].

Titus 2:4-5 says, “and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

A Christian husband and wife should make determinations about the wife’s work and time based on the biblical priority of the home for her. In fact, if a Christian woman prioritizes pursuing a career over the biblical call to prioritize her husband, children and home, she is sinning.

Second, do not fall into the error of being self-righteous, legalistic or judgmental. “Working outside the home does not make you ungodly any more than being in the home makes you godly” [Pastor Kenny St. John]. Consider these highlights from Proverbs 31 pointing to the excellent wife working outside the home as part of her priority of her home:

“She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard” [v.16];

“She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant” [v.24].

[See also Acts 16:14 and 18:3].

Each wife should look to her own heart (and each husband leading his wife look to his own heart and his wife’s). Do you have a heart and demeanor that is Christ-centered, submissive, home-focused, joyfully following God’s design for you as a redeemed woman in whatever situations you are including at home and at work? 

In fact, the secret to the wife’s excellence in Proverbs 31 was that she was “a woman who fears the Lord” [v. 30]. Such a woman, now as well as then, “is to be praised” [Proverbs 31:30].