Is it right for husbands to stay home and raise the children?
Question:
I have a question about providing for the family. I know that if you don't provide you are like the unbelievers, but what about stay-at-home dads who care for kids? I know is not easy taking care of a household: kids, laundry, etc. Do you think it is right in God's eyes?
Answer:
"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" (I Timothy 5:8).
This passage is dealing with the requirement that a Christian is responsible for providing for his own family. It is repeated again at the end: "If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows" (I Timothy 5:16).
The managing of the household is the woman's primary responsibility (I Timothy 5:14; Proverbs 14:1; Titus 2:8). It doesn't mean a man can't do the tasks or assist in the tasks, but the woman is better capable and it was assigned to her by God.
Providing for the family is the man's primary responsibility (Ephesians 4:28; II Thessalonians 3:10-12). It doesn't mean a woman can't earn money or assist in the support of the household, but the man is better capable (overall) and it was assigned to him by God.
There are exceptions. A wife might lose her husband and have to both provide for her family and manage the household. A man might become disabled, so his wife must work and he helps as he can at home. These aren't wrong, but they don't change the roles assigned to each. The wife still is responsible to see that the house is cared for even if circumstances cause the husband to do most of the work. The husband is still responsible to see that there is sufficient income even if the wife brings more income in than he does.
