Many parts of the Bible encourage a more traditional approach to life. If you’re a devout Christian, you might be wondering what the Bible says about being a stay at home dad.
Is the Bible ok with men being stay at home dads? Ultimately it depends on your denomination or even your specific pastor. Some may be perfectly fine with it, while others would go as far as to call it a sin.
Let’s take an in-depth look at what the Bible has to say.
Is Being A Stay At Home Dad Biblically Acceptable?
As you might imagine, the Bible doesn’t really have much to say about stay at home dads. It wasn’t really a thing back in those days.
If a man was physically unable to work, he might have to stay home while his wife provided for the family. But being a stay at home dad wasn’t something that men voluntarily did in the times of Jesus.
In fact, until the industrial revolution, even stay at home moms weren’t really a thing. Women had to work equally hard as men to provide clothing and food for their family.
It wasn’t until the industrial revolution, and honestly probably until about the 1920s in America, that men could earn enough of a living that their wife didn’t need to work fulltime.
A Biblical Argument Against Stay at Home Dads
One Bible verse that detractors of stay at home dads will point to is 1 Timothy 5:8:
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Surely this means that being a stay at home dad is a sin, right?
Well, not the way that I would interpret it.
Why should providing for your family only be measured in money?
Any stay at home dad knows that the amount of housework done including cooking, cleaning, laundry, looking after children, and running errands can exceed a regular 40-hour work week.
Maybe if you’re a lazy freeloader, sure. But the majority of stay at home dads are loving, hard-working men who go above and beyond to provide for their family.
What Does The Bible Say About Dads?
Deuteronomy 6:6-9. These verses talk about the time that a father spends with his children. It makes it clear that dads need to engage with their children, have deep heart-to-heart conversations, and impart wisdom.
Psalm 103:13. Fathers are compassionate for their children.
Luke 15:20-24. Dads don’t give up on their kids. In the lesson of the prodigal son, we learn about a father who is willing to take his child back with open arms, regardless of what they’ve done. We can discipline our children and hold them accountable, but we can never give up on them.
2 Cor. 3:2-3. Dads lead by example and exemplify a good life for their children. How we live and who we are plays a big part in who our children will become when they grow up. They’re looking to you as an example every day.
Related Questions
Q: What does the Bible say about stay at home moms?
A: As you might expect, the Bible is more clear about a woman’s traditional role in the home. There are plenty of Biblical verses that suggest that a wife should be a “keeper of the house.”
Although there are also Bible passages like Proverbs 31 that speak about a mother who works outside her home. The important thing is to keep a proper balance and make your family your priority.
So the Bible seems to leave women with the choice as to whether they want to work beyond the home or stay at home with their children. Although 1 Timothy 5 and Titus 2 do encourage women to stay at home with their young children.
Q: What does the Bible say about adoption?
A: The Bible is perfectly fine with adoption! In fact, some of the most prominent figures of the Bible are adopted.
For example, Moses was found in the reeds and adopted by one of the Pharoah’s daughters. Jesus himself was even conceived by the Holy Spirit and adopted by Joseph as his own son.
God adopts those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior into His spiritual family. In the same way, we should consider adopting children into our own families.
Conclusion
I don’t think that Christian men should feel ashamed or like they aren’t living their faith if they choose to be a stay at home dad.
Loving, raising, and caring for your children is one of the most honorable things that you can do.
Don’t let naysayers attempt to convince you that you’re undermining God’s will by choosing to stay at home with your children while your wife works. You should never feel emasculated or ashamed for choosing to do what’s best for your children.
Do you think being a stay at home dad is in line with Christian values? Why or why not?