On Being a Keeper at Home

I've been thinking about some Scripture passages:
Proverbs 16:20 and 21--"He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. (21) The wise in heart shall be called prudent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning."

1 Timothy 6:8--"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

Titus 2:3-5--"The aged women likewise that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed."

I've been reading some posts about being a "keeper at home" and excuses women give to not obey that. And, as I get older, I see myself coming into this "aged women" classification. So when I tell someone the truth in love about being a "keeper at home" and the truth hurts, did I handle the matter wisely? Will "sweetness of lips" mean that people will always receive what I have to say, or not get angry? Hmmm.

The issue of being a "keeper at home" is one that makes some younger women, well older ones, too, very angry. It seems to me it makes some women very defensive. I would ask anyone who has questions on the subject, to go to the Scriptures and do some studying. Go to Titus 2 and study the words' meanings and read the cross-references and study and pray. Do a study in the Bible on covetousness. And on contentment. I guarantee it will be rewarding, perhaps convicting.

I think the best time to teach a young woman about being a keeper at home is when she's a very young girl. Mothers, we must teach our daughters well.

I realized today how easy it is to fall into ways of talking that are not Biblical, or that encourage thinking that is worldly. I realized that I had been unintentionally doing this when I was trying to encourage my 20-year-old daughter to frugality in her spending, by pointing out to her that "you don't have a full-time job, you know." I don't have a full-time job, either--that's irrelevant, I will never have a full-time job, and don't intend that she have one, either. The motivation for frugality should be that she is a steward of the Lord's resources. She should have all her needs provided for her by the Lord through her father, at this time in her life, and use what he gives her wisely. Later, her needs will be provided for her by the Lord through her husband, just as I have mine provided by the Lord through my husband.

Learning as a young woman to rely on your father to provide for you and contentedly using what he gives you in a wise manner ("he that handleth a matter wisely shall find good"), is good practice for relying on the Lord, and being content. "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." And "whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."