If you want to get a big fight going in a small amount of time, just ask a few Christians what they think Paul meant when he wrote that βyoung womenβ with βhusbandsβ and βchildrenβ should be βkeepers at homeβ (Titus 2:4,5). But the only sure way to interpret the Bible is by comparing Scripture with Scripture (I Cor. 2:13), not by comparing opinions with opinions! With that in mind, letβs compare how the word βkeeperβ is used in other parts of the Bible.
For instance, youβve probably heard Christians quote this beloved verse:
βI had rather beΒ a doorkeeperΒ in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickednessβ (Psalm 84:10).
Doorkeepers in Israelβs temple had some pretty specific duties, some of which involved theΒ financesΒ of Godβs house:
ββ¦they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God,Β which the Levites that kept the doors had gatheredβ¦Β and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the Lord,Β to repair and amend the houseβ (II Chronicles 34:9,10).
As you can see, the doorkeepers in Godβs house were evidently involved in the finances that were used to maintain the grandest home in the world, the temple of Solomon. So to say you were a doorkeeper in those days probably didnβt sound like a job that came with a lot of responsibility. But those who knew the Word of God well knew that such was not the case.
Similarly, when a Christian woman says that sheβs one of the βkeepers at homeβ that the Bible talks about, that too sounds like a job that doesnβt come with a lot of responsibility, at least in the ears of unbelievers. But those who know the Word of God well know that thatβs not the case either. For example, in many Christian homes the wife is in charge of the finances.
This is something I like to point out in the premarital counseling class that I have with couples before I officiate at their wedding. Some women are just naturally better at keeping the books! Godβs Word clearly teaches that βthe husband is the head of the wifeβ (Eph. 5:23), but a wise husband recognizes his wifeβs abilities and is willing to delegate some of his authority to her.
Sure, a husband could insist, βIβm the head of the home, so itβs my job to manage our finances.β And since finances are such an extremely important aspect of the home, I can surely understand how a man might feel that way, and I have nothing but respect for his conviction.
But if that is your personal persuasion as a husband, I would invite you to consider that the finances are an extremely important aspect of businesses and corporations as well. Yet we know that business owners and CEOs alike all employ comptrollers, CPAs and others with accounting skills to keep the books. A leader who insists on personally managing every aspect of his organization is sure to affect his health adversely, and the same is true for the head of a home.
And needlessly so! God calls women who are in charge of the finances βvirtuous,β saying:
ββ¦she considereth a field, and buyeth itβ¦β (Proverbs 31:10,16).
As you can see, the virtuous woman described in this well-known passage of Scripture had a husband who allowed her to make financial decisions that were more than just incidental. Her liberty to make such a major purchase shows that it was true that βthe heart of her husband doth safely trust in herβ (Pro. 31:11) in the important area of the familyβs finances, as well as in other areas where she can βdo him good and not evil all the days of her lifeβ (Pro. 31:12).
The Christian home is often criticized by the world as a place where the wife and mother is little more than a dishrag and a doormat. But this is not how the Word of God describes βkeepers at home!β The Christian wife and mother is an integral part of the management of the grandest home in the world in our own day: the Christian home. source
