Financial Power

Does Financial power change the order of things in the home?

We were at our House Fellowship yesterday when a young girl asked a question I was asked to answer. "With roles changing in the home, if a woman earns more than a man, does that make her the head?". 

The fact that a woman earns more than her husband does not make her the head. It is true that money answers all things. However, there is order in God's kingdom. If a woman earns more than the husband, there is a need for understanding to balance things out at home. It takes a very understanding man to allow his wife to work long hours while he keeps an eye on the children and the home. It is the responsibility of the woman to still accord the man due respect and make sure she does not usurp authority because of her financial power. A woman needs to understand that without the support of the man at home, she can not progress without sacrificing some important aspects of life. There is nothing we have, that we have not received from God.

However, the fact that a man does not bring in huge amount of money does not reduce his place as the head. If you work shorter hours than your wife in a day, besides keeping an eye on your children, you can improve yourself by adding a skill or two. You can take courses through correspondence or if you are in an environment where you can acquire a skill, do not shy away from it. This keeps you out of trouble that idleness can cause and adds value to your person. 

The fact that your wife earns more than you does not mean you should make her life miserable by expecting her to come back from work and still do house chores, cook (God help you if you have to really wait for that) and other strenuous things only to prove you are "the man". Idling around, becoming the CEO of discussions and comments on Facebook or other  social media does not make you respected.

The concept of team work makes things work seamlessly when both parties are willing to hold their own end of the bargain. The home belongs to both the man and woman, it takes joint effort to make things work. Financial power does not give the woman headship at home, neither does it take the God-given power away from a man because of how much he earns. 

2 Timothy 2:19

"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[c] depart from iniquity.”"

Let us not follow the world. I welcome your insights.