Hi everyone,

Recently I've been reading a book called "Feminine Appeal: 7 Virtues of a Godly Woman" and one of the chapters is about the Proverb 31 woman. The author, Carolyn Mahaney, talks about how we are to "manage our households". In the Greek, this literally means "to be the ruler, despot, or master of the house". She goes on to explain that it is "our job to manage our homes". Here's a quote from the book:



Okay, so the question I have for you is this: If we are to be managers of our homes, does that mean we should be paying the bills?

I know there's a lot of controversy about this but in light of this analysis of the Proverb 31 woman, I say yes! This doesn't mean our husbands are to be clueless in the financial aspects of the home. He should be the overseer, and we should be the ones who take care of all the practical aspects of bill paying. In my house, it's really hard for my husband to sit down and pay the bills. Even writing the checks out is hard for him. But he does a great job of balancing the account and budgeting.

How about you? Do you see it differently? I'm curious since I've put this question in front of my friends, it's interesting to see how people view this aspect of the Proverb 31 woman.

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Eunice

Who Is Eunice Coughlin?

I agree with you and know that if it were up to my husband to pay bills they wouldn't get done. His work is just to demanding of time and when he is home with me and the girls I would rather him be with us than paying bills. Even with me working p/t now I would still rather handle the bills and household than lay more stress on him.

Some women just don't feel comfortable handling the bills and this is ok too. It's better to hand it over to your husband and know it's being done properly than worry about whether you paid something correctly, etc.

What I don't agree with is a woman that demands that her husband MUST take care of the bills since he doesn't do anything else to help around the house. But that's me and they may not know about Proverbs 31!?

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Kathy E.
http://www.kathyskitnkaboodle.com
http://www.prov31kathy.blogspot.com

"True faith involves doing all you can and letting God take care of the rest"

Ideally, I think each spouse would take on the tasks they are most suited to. That said, if she is best at bills, let her pay bills - and vice versa.. I don't see what difference it makes, as long as they're being paid by some responsible person.

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well seeing how I'm happily single I pay all the bills and do everything for myself and my two kids so yep I'd have to say I am the master manager of the household! or should that be "ms manager of the household"?
Tara

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I believe that it depends on your home. I am baaad with money, so my hubby takes care of all that stuff for us. But being the manager of your home can mean many things. First and foremost you should be a team, but you are to care for the home and he is to care for you. You'll find what works best for you depending on your personalities.

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I believe that yes, it is the wifes' duty to pay the bills and take care of the household, if the husband wants to share equally in the task I don't see why he shouldn't as long as bills are paid, etc.
And if you're single like Tara and I are, yes we take care of our own bills.

Rosalee Decker
Home & Garden Party
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This is the Day the Lord has made; let us rejoice & be glad in it

Honestly, I think that as a couple each husband/wife needs to look at their gifts and abilities and tallents and find what works best. If the husband is an accountant and the wife is not at all mathmatically inclined, I don't think the Bible demands that the wife must pay the bills in order to be the manager of her home. I am in charge of the checkbook at our house, but in reality my husband could probably do a much better job because he works with numbers every day at work. For us though, it's just worked out this way. I don't take it lightly that he works so hard and then entrusts me with how to manage all God provides for us through his job.

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Jenni, Affordable Mineral Makeup™ rep

Author, http://www.HannahsHopeBook.com Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage & Adoption Loss

Currently writing about the Apostle Paul and Pain at http://www.GivenMeaThorn.blogspot.com

i think it is different for every couple and that no one can say how it should be for everyone. i take care of the finances in our home. however if my husband wanted to do it, i would submit it to him.

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Cindy Taylor
Green Christian Network
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