Monday, April 9, 2012

Who is the Provider?


A recent article in Time Magazine discussed the growth of female economic clout in the US today and suggested that “if people think differently about money, power and gender roles, everyone may come out ahead.” Many men today struggle to maintain steady, gainful employment and some wives have become the primary “breadwinner” and at times the husband has become the “house-husband,” remaining home to take care of home and children. We’ve been taught that the husband is to be the “provider” for the family; 1 Timothy 5:8 states that the person (inference is that it is the man) who does not provide for his family is worse than an unbeliever. Is it a problem Biblically if the man is not the financial provider for his family?
The “traditional” family roles had husband as the financial provider for his family, while the wife took care of the home… and everything else. As women entered the workforce, their expectation was that their duties at home would decrease with increased time outside the home. This didn’t happen and we saw stressed women attempting to cope with home and office duties and increased conflict between husband and wife. Many people from the “traditional” background advocate for women remaining home to care for children and household, but is it biblical? I think the “traditional” family is not biblical; the husband is to be the provider financially, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Biblically, the husband should be intimately involved with his family not just the breadwinner. The good news is that Time reported that men have become significantly more hands-on in child rearing over the past generation – men are beginning to understand that there is more to being a husband and father than just bringing home a paycheck.
It has been said that the husband is the prophet, priest and king; the one who brings God’s truths and word to the family, the one who leads his family into God’s presence and the provider and protector of the family. Two or three thousand years ago – even 200 years ago, provision required the man’s strength and outdoor skill for the family to eat. Outdoor skills, at least in the US and Europe are rarely required for a family to eat today. But does that mean the husband cannot remain at home and be the provider while the wife uses her skills to provide financially for the family if that is what she wants? Does it upend biblical roles? I’m chewing on this – your input is welcome…