Should a woman make more money than her husband?

[Dave Slayer]

Should a woman make more money than her husband in a marriage? Should the guy make most of the money?

 

[Lee100]

Biblically speaking, the husband is the provider, and head over the woman. But in today’s time, everything is upside down.

 

[Dave Slayer]

Biblically speaking, the husband is the provider, and head over the woman. But in today’s time, everything is upside down.

What if it's 50/50? Where they both pitch in about the same? Some married women want to work and help her husband. Is that Biblical?

 

[Lee100]

No, it is not, but what a sweet wife to do such a thing when she don't have to.

 

[Hugo]

My wife made more money than I when we first got married, and as a guy it did hurt my pride a bit. But soon I got a job where I made more, so I was happy. ;)

But that was before we had a kid. Now, my wife stays at home to raise our daughter (1 yr old), and I think that is the right thing to do. I want my wife to share time with her, not a daycare.

It does require monetary sacrifice, which many people (even christians) are not willing to do.

 

[Photosmith]

I don't know of any scripture saying that it matters. There's plenty of scripture about how you should manage your money as well as scriptures about the roles of men and women, and the roles of husband and wife. We know that not everyone has exactly the same gifts, just as not every part of the body has the same abilities. We know not everyone will appear to have the same amount of gifts, similar to the parable of the talents, distributed unequally among the men. The point however is to use what you were blessed with to the best of your abilities.

Just as the man who buried his talent was chided by his master and punished for it, I could see how a case can be made that as long as the couple is living in a Godly way and not just desiring more money so they can buy a boat, or brag to their friends by buying a new car every 3 years - as long as the money is used to glorify the Lord and not elevate their own personal egos, then using the wife's talents makes sense.

 

[heather]

I think Proverbs 31 is a great scripture to look at. Especially vs. 10-31

1 The sayings of King Lemuelâ€â€an oracle [a] his mother taught him:

2 "O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows,

3 do not spend your strength on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuelâ€â€
not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer,

5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

6 Give beer to those who are perishing,
wine to those who are in anguish;

7 let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.

8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Here, this woman provides for her family by planting a vineyard, making clothes to supply merchants and is able to better her family for it. She is praised and her husband is respected for her good works. I think for each person, it differs. It may be a sin for some women to make more money than their husbands. Especially if they gloat about it. But for others, it may be best. I think it depends on the couple and their situation in life. Like a family at my church (well, a couple, really)...it's just the two of them, no kids, and she works as a high-up manager for a big rig company and he has lost a few jobs to closing plants lately. He is still blessed by her income since what he has be given the experience to do has been brought to a halt.

 

[turnorburn]

I suppose a family could get legalistic, stepping over dollars to save dimes by hook or by crook, or like Joshua says..

Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

turnorburn

The best recipe for a healthy happy household. :yes

 

[NooneSpecial]

Make more than my spouse, not by choice. Rather out of need. Current economy really did a number on us. Husband is on unemployment. With a little one to feed besides ourselves, sometimes a mother's got to do what a mother's got to do.

 

[Nikki]

I really don't think it matters as long as they are both happy with their jobs and neither spouse has a problem with it.

 

[spiritlead]

does it really matter if you are both after the same goals in life then it should not bother you. I know the husband is to be the provider. but I also know that as long as you are providing and you are doing what God has called you to do then it is all good