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I Career/
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See also Mothering, God's Will
I 1. A mother's first and foremost responsibility needs to be caring for
her home and her children.
I Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her
own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

I Titus 2:3-5 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in

the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine,
but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women
I to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure,
to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands,
so that no one will malign the word of God.
I 1 Timothy 5:14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have
children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no oppor-

I tunity for slander.

For further reference see Proverbs 31:10-31.

I 2. Children need what a mother can give.

Isaiah 49:15 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have
no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget,
I I will not forget you!

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Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do

not be a willing party to his death.
Proverbs 31 :28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband
also, and he praises her.
Isaiah 66:13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort
you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, 0 Israel: The LORD our God, the

LoRD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that
I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your
children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you
walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie
them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

3. The capable mother in Proverbs 31 was involved in business; how-

ever, her home did not suffer.

Proverbs 31:14-18, 24 She is like the merchant ships, bringing

her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides
food for her familyand portions for her servant girls. She considers
a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She
sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go
out at night. . . . She makes linen garments and sells them, and
supplies the merchants with sashes.
4. When involved in both business and home, business can never take
over the primary responsibility of home. Balance is crucial.
Ecclesiastes 7:18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the
other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.

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