Wanting to Work From Home
by Heather Koerner on 06/24/2009 at 8:00 AM
About a month ago I was reading a short article on, of all things, the "Riskiest Search Terms on the the Internet." Evidently, certain Internet search terms have a very high likelihood of landing you on a web site containing malware.
For example, "screensavers" is the number one riskiest Internet search term with a 59.1% chance of landing you on a web site containing malware. Number Two? "Free Games" (24.7% chance of malware). But it was Number Three that caught my attention: "Work From Home" (15.6% chance of malware). There are so many people wanting to work from home that it's the number three target of cybercriminals.
I thought of that today when I was reading "Five Myths on Fathers and Families" by W. Bradford Wilcox. In his article, Wilcox warns about five common myths the American media often put forward around Father's Day, despite the fact that they simply are not true.
The second myth Wilcox describes is the myth that "Women Want Everything 50-50." Wilcox writes:
"Most married mothers nowadays do want their husbands to do their fair share of housework and childcare. But they do not define fairness in terms of a 50-50 balancing act where fathers and mothers do the same thing at home and work. Instead, contemporary mothers take into account their husbands’ work outside the home when they assess the fairness of the division of labor inside the home.
Moreover, most women who are married with children are happy to have their husbands take the lead when it comes to providing and do not wish to work full-time. For instance, a 2007 Pew Research Center study found that only 20 percent of mothers with children under 18 wanted to work full-time, compared with 72 percent of fathers with children under 18. My own research has shown that married mothers are happiest in their marriages when their husbands take the lead when it comes to breadwinning — largely because his success as a provider gives her more opportunities to focus on the children, or balance childcare with part-time work (the most popular work arrangement for married mothers). So, on this Father’s Day, dads who are fortunate enough to hold down a good job and make a major contribution to their families’ financial welfare should take some comfort from the fact that they are likely to be boosting not only their families’ bottom line but also their wives’ happiness."
There's no way to tell for sure who is doing all those "work at home" Internet searches. But my guess is that we would find -- just as the Pew Research Center and Wilcox did -- a large number of moms who want to be spending more time with their children.
It's something to consider. Will you be in that majority of moms that do not want to be working full-time outside the home? Is there anything you can do now to give you more options then?
HT: Challies and Dr. Mohler
1. Louise from Chicago said the following at 8:03 AM on Jun 24:
Hey, I'm childfree and I don't want to "work full time outside the home!"
:)
2. Catherine said the following at 8:42 AM on Jun 24:
I hope that this demand will start changing more professional areas of the workforce- working at home doesn't have to be an either-or option. Once I started taking your advice to plan to heart I realized that switching my medical specialty to radiology- which can be set up at home- was actually the best decision in many ways. i am now going to make around 700,000$ a week working from home on my own schedule instead of 160,000$ a week working at an office full time. how's that for the best of both worlds? :)
there are many "high achievement" professions that could do this too- law for example could easily be done at home with modern technology if firms were more open to making it happen. you could make equal the salary with flexible hours given the right specialty and the right company. there are so many professions that with a little lobbying from moms could start really utilizing new tools- teleconferencing, broadcast meetings, work deadlines instead of a 9-5 schedule... I hope with more women in my generation embracing work-life balance that companies will realize they can attract better workers if they make a working at home option available!
3. Catherine said the following at 8:43 AM on Jun 24:
sorry, i obviously mean 700,00$ a year!
4. Michelle said the following at 10:41 AM on Jun 24:
I don't want a full-time job when I'm married and have kids, but the whole concept of a guy working all the time so that his wife doesn't have to seems to have its flaws. For one, he may slave away all day and have to work overtime, leaving little time or energy to bond with his family in the evening.
I think the ideal situation would be a father that could work at home, but is that reaching too high? Children desperately need their fathers around, and any way to accomplish that seems like a worthy goal.
5. Sarah P. said the following at 10:51 AM on Jun 24:
@ Michelle (#4): That's how I grew up. Both my parents ran a business at home, and all of us kids helped. This meant that both parents were always around, and we were all intimately connected in meaningful ways. Sure, 11 people and a business in a small space can get claustrophobic, but it takes only a few years of relative solitude for me to see what an unusual treasure in life that was!
6. DannieA said the following at 11:34 AM on Jun 24:
I'd rather have a husband that shares in household tasks. And isn't the proverbial work-a-holic during the week and then "escapes" to go fishing or something with friends leaving family behind.
I grew up with my dad being the dishwasher, yardworker, and most awesome lunch maker ever. If my mom tried to make my lunch for school/work when my dad couldn't for some reason, it really sucked. Dad's do it better. :-)
7. Kami said the following at 12:21 PM on Jun 24:
I am very much looking forward to the day when I will have a family to stay home with. I was raised with a SAHM, and I loved having her there. Dad wasn't too far away, and because he worked for the family business, he was always able to go to sports games, plays, take vacations, etc. I feel very blessed.
To prepare to give my children the same benefits one day, I am working very hard as a single to prepare my finances now (no debt, emergency fund of 6 months' expenses, etc.). I am also currently taking a graduate class on reading instruction with the hope that I can become a tutor at some point.
My boyfriend and I have also had many discussions about our intentions for work and family. This part might be the most important, as it ensures that you're on the same page.
Overall I am very excited to one day begin my "staying home" time. I have dreamt about the day I can leave my (awesome) office job so that I can help with VBS, be more available when family comes to town, etc.
While these are values that I hold very closely, I believe that God asks wives/mothers to put caring for their families ahead of everything but God Himself. This will always be my standard when I make decisions about my future.
8. Erica said the following at 12:36 PM on Jun 24:
My dad and mom operated a small farm and both share equal in the housework. My dad cook, wash, tidy the house and do yardwork, handle the business aspect of the farm. Also, look after us as children, feed baby, change diaper, bathe baby. When ever my parent babysit for us, he does the same things for my child. He handle the bookwork of the farm more than my mother.
Now I'm married, my husband does the same things. He wash, cook, ironed and do yardwork. Both of us work outside the home. He is great with the baby, he feed him, change his diaper, take him for a walk and play with. I appreciate him more as a husband and father than if he work a lot of money and came home and only sit down. Even when I'm at home on Day off from work, he helps around the house and I helped with the yardwork.
I prefer it that way than if he works a lot of money so I could stay home and live a high quality life. I heard of so many men who after their kids are graduated from college leave their wife for another woman. It looks as if their tasks of caring for children, mortgages are completed and its time for them to move on.
9. Kellie said the following at 12:54 PM on Jun 24:
I don't work full-time, but my husband and I do split household tasks, and he cares for our baby on the weekends I work and he also works from home a few days a month. It wouldn't make everyone happy, but it is a good arrangement for us.
10. Cheryl said the following at 1:22 PM on Jun 24:
I am a single mom and would like to work from home. I have been in ministry for 17 years and am engaged to an Minister; however, we are both currently unemployed from the economy downfall. God is bigger than this situation! If you know of any valid at-home employment opportunities for me, please add them. Thank you!
11. Kellie said the following at 1:36 PM on Jun 24:
I might add while I don't work from home (that would be near impossible in my field), I do start and end my day at home, which means 5-6 hours outside the home, as opposed to 9-10. And even part-time, I do make more than my husband, although in this economy, I think we are blessed that he has a job at all.
12. Kami said the following at 1:44 PM on Jun 24:
Cheryl (#10)
I've also heard that the best way to approach working from home is to evaluate the skills and interests that you have. If you enjoy kids, you might be able to provide day care, or nanny at your house. If you have any background in education, you could try tutoring or homework help. If you cook or bake, consider how you might make a profit from that, etc. Dave Ramsey recommends No More Mondays by Dan Miller and 48 Days to the Work You Love also by Dan Miller.
I also have a friend who does medical transcription from home. She works for another from-home transcriptionist. Unfortunately, that can be costly for training and equipment.
13. BDB said the following at 2:58 PM on Jun 24:
Catherine (#2) wrote:
>>law for example could easily be done at home with modern technology if firms were more open to making it happen.<<
Why wait for the firms? I know a mom who simply started her own practice. This gives her the flexibility to do ministry between court appearances.
It's important to note that her kids are grown, so there are no child-care issues. Lawyers don't have full control of when those court appearances are, the judges do.
At the same time, she does maintain a small office in a professional center where she can meet clients when necessary. Access to conference facilities is sometimes critical for depositions and/or mediation sessions. Around here there are a number of such places that allow a person to rent a small office, but they might only be in that office when they have an appointment. Part of their office rent gives them the ability to schedule use of conference rooms. There's a company that has multiple locations.
This is handy for other businesses, like outplacement counselors. They can set up meetings with clients at the location most convenient for them.
14. Lynne said the following at 3:35 PM on Jun 24:
Wanted to commend Michelle (#4) on her insight "but the whole concept of a guy working all the time so that his wife doesn't have to seems to have its flaws"
It definitely does have flaws, and I can look at several of the marriages of my friends and aquaintances (30s and 40s) and see them. Men are working long hours or multiple jobs, sometimes for luxuries, sometimes not.
Women feeling isolated or unappreciated. It's not destiny, but it is something to studiously avoid.
Multiple little munchkins can be exhausting to parent. Exhausting doesn't mean you should avoid it, just that it's important to have a realistic picture of the tradeoffs.
15. K.L. said the following at 4:34 PM on Jun 24:
You know, it's funny that you would post this, because just a little while ago I read an article in the paper about a woman who had been scammed by this very thing. Working at home, that is. She ended up with a $25,000 hole burned in her pocket. And the FBI said they wouldn't be able to assign an agent to her case for another month. Ouch.
16. Leah said the following at 5:29 PM on Jun 24:
Catherine (2) - I'm thinking you must have typed something wrong. You cannot seriously be earning $700,000 a week via radiology.
Also (coming off your comment and others) working from home with a stressful job like being a lawyer kind of defeats the purpose of being at home. You're still going to be stressed and neglecting the kids to do your work. Sure, a lower-stress part-time job (either from home or outside the home) is great for mums, but if your aim is to be a stay at home mother then I wouldn't advise you to run a law firm or doctor's surgery out of your house. It'd really make little difference.
Erica (8) - I'm mildly appalled with your idea that a father who works outside the home fulltime doesn't know how to look after his kids. Every father I know works fulltime, yet helps out around the house (eg. mowing, fix-it jobs etc) and is intentional with spending time with their kids (reading bedtime stories, kicking a ball around in the backyard, having a BBQ with the family down at the beach, going on holidays together, etc.)
A man who leaves his wife after kids have graduated would not do so just because his "job" is "finished". Chances are his relationship with his wife has been floundering for years but he has felt a responsibility to stay together for the kids, and now the kids are gone, he's free to go too. It wasn't his position as sole bread-winner that drove him away - in fact, that's probably what kept him there!
17. farmer Tom said the following at 5:47 PM on Jun 24:
4. Michelle said,
Ever considered marrying a farmer. I have a friend who is looking for a wife. He works from home every day, and is tired of having an empty house. He's 27, 6'3 a relative of my wife. Good guy, needs a wife.
18. BY said the following at 2:52 AM on Jun 25:
To all:
I read how people worry about money, jobs, about when their future spouse will come, about marriage, family, children, etc. Is that the life of a Christian is all about? Did not Jesus tell us not worry exactly about these things: what we would eat and wear? Surely, if God wants us to marry, we’ll marry, and if he wants us to have this or that job, we’ll have it, but is that we are all living for? In the end, there are only two places to go: one of darkness and gnashing of teeth, and the other of eternal glory, splendor, love and joy in the presence of God and of all the holy chosen saints. In the end, all that matters is black and white: heaven or hell, with God or without God. So, looking from a heavenly perspective, what is it that really matters the most, our greatest priority, while we are here for a short time in this world, walking on this earth? Do we want to please ourselves or do we want to please God, and how do we do it? Are we pursuing the American dream or are we pursuing God’s dream for our lives?
Looking from a heavenly perspective, I can see only that God want us to fulfill exactly what He has brought us into this world for. Only by following Him and by obeying Him, we can do His will and bring to completion His plans.
So, does God want us to focus purely on dreams of prosperity, earthly riches, marriage and family, or does he want from us something else, something bigger than ourselves? Is God’s plan for us to use our skills and talents to satisfy only ourselves and make our bread and butter, or does God wants to use us so that we can bring more people to His heavenly kingdom, and save from darkness and pain more souls while we are here on this earth? Surely, God has chosen even before time who he is going to save and invite into his presence, but has not God also chosen us to fulfill what he has planned for us if we just let him do so? But we prefer to step aside and make our plans for our life, following the culture and its constant pursuits for security and earthly pleasures.
The contemporary culture has invented all kinds of drugs and is ready to give all kinds of psychological counsel of how to be always happy. If we suffer from depression, we take drugs and we follow their counsel, if we feel unsatisfied or empty, we buy the new gadget or find a new hobby that we’ll make us feel better, if we want a deeper meaning in our lives, we start a family and have kids, if we want financial security, we work ourselves to death (literally), etc. There is always a solution that will feed our flesh and bones and satisfy our mind so that we do not think about moral choices and about the great abomination that is spreading over us in this culture. The church leaders prefer to whitewash and cover up this abomination and appease the beasts around in order just to live in comfort and peace and save their lives. They are not willing to expose the abomination for what it is and go to the darkest places and shine their light in order to save the last few souls which God has chosen to save. Instead, they choose to avoid direct conflict and lose their own souls in order to save their lives. The church leaders cover up the abomination and are ready even to kill and bring down their own and anyone who stands up to them in order to keep their high standard of living and their power and authority, thus pleasing and appeasing the beasts around them. While we go through the motions of life, the abomination is spreading and covering us and we do not even notice it.
Is that the kind of Christian faith we are supposed to have and the kind of life we are supposed to live? The mindset of the culture is to make everything appear wonderful and perfect on the outside because that’s the road to fulfilling the American dream, the road to riches, success and happiness, and ultimately, our road to hell. Because behind the glossy surface there is great abomination that takes place right now and if we lose our spiritual discernment to distinguish it, we are lost forever. The only way-out is giving up everything, and that includes all our selfish “American” dreams and desires for worldly comfort, peace and earthly riches, and giving up all of ourselves to God and to His service. The Bible invites us to call on Jesus and then be quiet and listen to where He will call us to go every day of our lives. Do we want only to read and hear about the people in the Bible in whose lives God has demonstrated His power, or do we want to see His power in our own lives and follow Him wherever He leads us to, thus fulfilling His plans for our lives? In the end, all that matters will be on which side we are going to be, and how many people we are going to bring there with us and how many heavenly riches will have in store. Everything else will be meaningless.
19. Anstice said the following at 5:59 AM on Jun 25:
farmer Tom (no. 17):
I have lately "considered" marrying a farmer, for precisely that reason. The only trouble being that I suffer from severe M.E./chronic fatigue syndrome and have to have a carer for personal care/cooking/washing/housework etc. (I live with my parents at the moment and also in the UK receive state benefits to cover the cost).
But basically, I would not only be unable to help out on a farm, but surely be an added physical burden to any man, let alone a farmer.
I'll be praying for your friend.
Anstice
20. Lynn said the following at 6:12 AM on Jun 25:
Leah,
So you're telling Catherine that she should not be working as a doctor at home because she must be stressed and "neglecting" her kids, yet you're "appalled" at anyone saying a father who works full time, outside the home will have less time to devote to them?? Really?
Don't you think Catherine would know better than you how she is handling working at home? I think it is a bit presumptuous for you to judge her like that.
Catherine, I think it's great you've found a way to use your extensive God-given talents to be both a doctor and a stay at home parent.
21. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 10:41 AM on Jun 25:
I would love to work from home, for two reasons: 1. I have a physical disability that makes it unsafe for me to drive, and 2. The woman whom I am courting also has a disability and needs assistance with certain things around the house. She also wants to have children and would possibly need help with them during the day.
I have an English degree and some work background in customer service and sales, and she has experience in working for the federal government (doing data entry for various departments) and in computers-- specifically, graphic design. I'm going to ask her to teach me what she knows, so that I can increase my chances of finding a good job in this tech-centric world!
If anyone has *legitimate* ideas on how one or both of us could work from home (me, full-time, her, part-time) please post them here!
22. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 10:52 AM on Jun 25:
BY (#18),
I agree with many of your points. Your comment reminded me of John Piper's books and sermons, in their concern for God's glory and their warnings about the materialistic idolatry to which many professing Christians can be subject (myself included).
Tim Keller has also written about the subtlety of idolatry, for Christians and non-Christians. You might want to check out his forthcoming book on the subject, Counterfeit Gods.
I would only add to your comment that it is not a bad thing for Christians to wisely think about, plan, and act for their futures, in terms of a career. Jesus commands his followers not to *worry* about the future, but for most Christians in most situations, not *planning* for the future could actually be a form of testing God in a sinful way. I speak from my past experience, due to influences from bad theology and my own foolishness...
23. Sarah P. said the following at 4:28 PM on Jun 25:
@ Christopher (#21): My oldest brother got pneumonia in both lungs when he was 14, and he was in the hospital for two years. Since he had such bad scoliosis of the spine frome being born as a preemie, they fused an iron rod to his spine to keep his good lung from getting pinched off. So he's very skinny, uses a wheelchair when he goes anywhere with distances to walk or with long periods of sitting, and breathes on a ventilator at night.
However, he earned his distance learning business undergrad degree and taught himself how to program websites better than most 40-year-old programmers. He makes some good money... pays the family mortgage (he still lives at home) and had over $25,000 saved up, last I heard.
Do you have any degrees? You could be a distance learning instructor or tutor through an online school. You could also train to be an accountant. Or, like my brother, a programmer -- but he is unusually talented in that arena.
Editor. Writer. Hairdresser (hehe).
24. Janelle said the following at 11:55 PM on Jun 25:
farmer Tom (#17):
I'd love to marry a farmer! To me the biggest appeal of farming is that the entire family can join in the work so the burdens of one's job are shared and the joys are multiplied.
How can I meet your cousin?
:)
25. BY said the following at 2:52 AM on Jun 26:
Christopher from Albuquerque #22:
While I have not read these books and sermons and I’d like to do so when I have a chance, I speak of what I see and of what God has shown me. But, so that I can put it more clearly to you and the others about the futility of all future plans right now, see what the Lord has to say:
Jeremiah 16
5 This is what the LORD says: "Do not go to funerals to mourn and show sympathy for these people, for I have removed my protection and peace from them. I have taken away my unfailing love and my mercy.6 Both the great and the lowly will die in this land. No one will bury them or mourn for them. Their friends will not cut themselves in sorrow or shave their heads in sadness.7 No one will offer a meal to comfort those who mourn for the dead—not even at the death of a mother or father. No one will send a cup of wine to console them.
8 "And do not go to their feasts and parties. Do not eat and drink with them at all.9 For this is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: In your own lifetime, before your very eyes, I will put an end to the happy singing and laughter in this land. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard.
10 "When you tell the people all these things, they will ask, 'Why has the LORD decreed such terrible things against us? What have we done to deserve such treatment? What is our sin against the LORD our God?'
11 "Then you will give them the LORD's reply: 'It is because your ancestors were unfaithful to me. They worshiped other gods and served them. They abandoned me and did not obey my word.12 And you are even worse than your ancestors! You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me.13 So I will throw you out of this land and send you into a foreign land where you and your ancestors have never been. There you can worship idols day and night—and I will grant you no favors!'
Jeremiah 17
1 "The sin of Judah
is inscribed with an iron chisel—
engraved with a diamond point on their stony hearts
and on the corners of their altars.
2 Even their children go to worship
at their pagan altars and Asherah poles,
beneath every green tree
and on every high hill.
3 So I will hand over my holy mountain—
along with all your wealth and treasures
and your pagan shrines—
as plunder to your enemies,
for sin runs rampant in your land.
4 The wonderful possession I have reserved for you
will slip from your hands.
I will tell your enemies to take you
as captives to a foreign land.
For my anger blazes like a fire
that will burn forever."
Ezekiel 13
17 "Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations.18 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: What sorrow awaits you women who are ensnaring the souls of my people, young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils. Do you think you can trap others without bringing destruction on yourselves?19 You bring shame on me among my people for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to my people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.
20 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare my people like birds. I will tear them from your arms, setting my people free like birds set free from a cage.21 I will tear off the magic veils and save my people from your grasp. They will no longer be your victims. Then you will know that I am the LORD.22 You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn't want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins.23 Because of all this, you will no longer talk of seeing visions that you never saw, nor will you make predictions. For I will rescue my people from your grasp. Then you will know that I am the LORD."
26. Sandra Fields said the following at 11:37 AM on Jun 26:
I am on disability and I need to work part time from my home. I had a office set up here.
Qualifications:
30 yrs working for Southwestern Bell and Verizon. My duties were working with customers in ref. to there accounts, setting up telephone services via computer, working with installers out in the field.
In my office I do have a fax machine, telephone and a computer with high speed internet.
27. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 5:13 PM on Jun 26:
BY (#25),
I do not see how the passages which you quoted have anything to do with God speaking negatively of "all future plans," when it comes to Christians planning wisely for their futures, in terms of careers and such.
When reading and trying to understand books and passages of Scripture, it is vital to employ principles of both exegesis (determining what the book or passage was saying *then,* to the original people to whom it was written) and hermeneutics (interpreting and understanding what the book or passage is saying *now,* to different people in different contexts today).
Please know that I am *not* calling for the relativizing of the meaning of Scripture. However, through the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, God was speaking to specific groups of people, in specific contexts, challenging them about sins that they were committing (or tempted to commit) in those specific contexts.
Does the fact that in Jeremiah, God commands His people not to go to the wedding parties and feasts of idol worshippers necessarily mean that Christians are not allowed by God to attend non-Christian weddings today? Of course not. God worked with certain nations in certain ways in the Old Testament, and He does not always replicate those exact ways in the present time. He does not change, and His moral character does not change, but the specific ways in which He works can change according to the given historical situation.
In Jeremiah (as in the Old Testament in general), God is intensely, and rightly, concerned that the nation of Israel, the people whom He chose to work with at that time, remain very clearly separated from pagan people and their ways.
Believers in Christ are to be "separate" today as well but not always in the same exact ways as Israel in the Old Testament. We are commanded to be "in the world but not of the world." This principle allows us, and even encourages us, to spend time with non-Christians. Therefore, in the passage from Jeremiah, God is not giving the exact same sort of command to *us* that He was giving to the original audience who read it. There are important principles (and implicit commands) for us to consider, for our lives today, in the passage, but the commands to us are not exactly the same as they were to the original audience.
In Ezekiel, God is speaking out against false prophets (women who "prophesy from their own imaginations) and warning His people not to follow them. What does this have to do with planning for one's future being foolish?
I stand by my original statement-- when it comes to such matters as choosing a career (or switching from one job situation to another), to *not* think carefully and wisely, and yes, *plan* at times, could actually be a form of testing God sinfully and misusing His sovereignty as a basis upon which to act foolishly.
28. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 5:25 PM on Jun 26:
Sarah P. (#23),
Thank you for your helpful comment and suggestions! The story of your brother and his career success is very encouraging!
In my original comment, I mentioned that I have an English degree and work experience in customer service and sales. I would actually like to go back to school, to upgrade my computer skills (I have much to learn in this area), but right now, I'm not sure how to do that without going into debt.
I approached New Mexico Vocational Rehabilitation, the state governmental agency which assists people with disabilities in finding jobs, and was told that they would not help to pay for me to go back to school, even for one or two classes. This is the case, despite the fact(s) that I did well in college as an undergraduate student, and I only want to return to do what might be necessary for me to find a job in a computer-dominated job market.
29. BY said the following at 1:44 AM on Jun 28:
Christopher #27:
Are you so dull, or are you just pretending to be like this? These messages and quotes apply also to me and to this day and age. They are a clear example of God’s love and mercy for his people. God punishes those he loves so that may turn from their wicked and evil ways. Otherwise, they will go to hell where there will be much pain and gnashing of teeth. These words are the best that can happen for these people. If God does not warn and speak to them and punish, then all of them may end up like the rich man in the parable of http://www.newlivingtranslation.com/05discoverthenlt/ssresults.asp?txtSearchString=luke+16 "> Luke 16: 19-31. Today God speaks again to his people:
Revelations: 3
The Message to the Church in Laodicea
14 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning* of God's new creation:
15 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!17 You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
You will understand the meaning of these words too:
Jeremiah 26
1 This message came to Jeremiah from the LORD early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah,* king of Judah.2 "This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard in front of the Temple of the LORD, and make an announcement to the people who have come there to worship from all over Judah. Give them my entire message; include every word.3 Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.
4 "Say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: If you will not listen to me and obey my word I have given you,5 and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets—for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them—6 then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed Shiloh, the place where the Tabernacle was located. And I will make Jerusalem an object of cursing in every nation on earth.'"
7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people listened to Jeremiah as he spoke in front of the LORD's Temple.8 But when Jeremiah had finished his message, saying everything the LORD had told him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people at the Temple mobbed him. "Kill him!" they shouted.9 "What right do you have to prophesy in the LORD's name that this Temple will be destroyed like Shiloh? What do you mean, saying that Jerusalem will be destroyed and left with no inhabitants?" And all the people threatened him as he stood in front of the Temple.
10 When the officials of Judah heard what was happening, they rushed over from the palace and sat down at the New Gate of the Temple to hold court.11 The priests and prophets presented their accusations to the officials and the people. "This man should die!" they said. "You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city."
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to the officials and the people in his own defense. "The LORD sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city," he said. "The LORD gave me every word that I have spoken.13 But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the LORD your God, he will change his mind about this disaster that he has announced against you.14 As for me, I am in your hands—do with me as you think best.15 But if you kill me, rest assured that you will be killing an innocent man! The responsibility for such a deed will lie on you, on this city, and on every person living in it. For it is absolutely true that the LORD sent me to speak every word you have heard."
Ezekiel 21
1 *Then this message came to me from the LORD:2 "Son of man, turn and face Jerusalem and prophesy against Israel and her sanctuaries.3 Tell her, 'This is what the LORD says: I am your enemy, O Israel, and I am about to unsheath my sword to destroy your people—the righteous and the wicked alike.4 Yes, I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked! I will draw my sword against everyone in the land from south to north.5 Everyone in the world will know that I am the LORD. My sword is in my hand, and it will not return to its sheath until its work is finished.'
6 "Son of man, groan before the people! Groan before them with bitter anguish and a broken heart.7 When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, 'I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become as weak as water. And the Sovereign LORD says: It is coming! It's on its way!'"
8 Then the LORD said to me,9 "Son of man, give the people this message from the LORD:
"A sword, a sword
is being sharpened and polished.
10 It is sharpened for terrible slaughter
and polished to flash like lightning!
Now will you laugh?
Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power!*
11 Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished;
it is being prepared for the executioner.
12 "Son of man, cry out and wail;
pound your thighs in anguish,
for that sword will slaughter my people and their leaders—
everyone will die!
13 It will put them all to the test.
What chance do they have?*
says the Sovereign LORD.
14 "Son of man, prophesy to them
and clap your hands.
Then take the sword and brandish it twice,
even three times,
to symbolize the great massacre,
the great massacre facing them on every side.
15 Let their hearts melt with terror,
for the sword glitters at every gate.
It flashes like lightning
and is polished for slaughter!
16 O sword, slash to the right,
then slash to the left,
wherever you will,
wherever you want.
17 I, too, will clap my hands,
and I will satisfy my fury.
I, the LORD, have spoken!"
30. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 4:43 PM on Jun 29:
BY (#29),
You wrote to me, "Are you so dull, or are you just pretending to be like this?"
I am trying to have a respectful discussion with you. There was nothing in my comment to you that warranted such a reply.
With the original passages of Scripture that you quoted, you were trying to make a point of the "futility of all future plans." (your words there) The "future plans" which were discussed in this particular comment thread had to do with career choices-- specifically, with wanting to work from home.
The problem is, the Biblical passages which you quoted simply *were not written* by the authors to address making future plans, whether they involved career choices or anything of the sort.
Jeremiah was calling the people of God to not corrupt themselves by mixing with those who worship false gods. What does that have to do with planning or not planning for a career? A Christian can plan for a career without that career becoming an object of worship above God, i.e. an idol.
In the other passage you quoted from Ezekiel, the prophet was warning the people of God about false prophets who speak of having "visions." Again, what does this have to do Christians making, or not making, future career plans? Christians can make plans without those plans necessarily becoming idols.
31. BY said the following at 2:46 AM on Jun 30:
Christopher,
You completely failed to grasp and understand my words and the meaning I have put into them. In Jerusalem, during the time of the prophet Jeremiah, the leaders and the priests thought themselves as good people who did all the right things, all the right religious duties, and enjoyed a good life. They also thought themselves as more important than others and could use, exploit, manipulate and do evil to those who were less important and not as smart as they were. The idols that were in their hearts led them to this kind of thinking. They considered themselves above God’s law in relation to others because they thought they were better than them and more deserving than them. Hence, when Jeremiah received his visions from God and revealed the truth of God’s opinion about these religious leaders and God’s plans about the city of Jerusalem, the leaders could not believe these words, because they thought so highly of themselves. Even with respect to Jeremiah, they had no regard to God’s law and tried to first silence him and then kill him, because they did not like what he was telling them. They did not want to change their ways and to listen to God’s words coming from a true prophet and to heed to his warnings.
I am using all these quotes from the books of the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, because at least a number of today’s leaders and important people in America have the same attitude towards God as the ones during the time of the aforementioned prophets. They have no fear of God and they have no desire to change their ways and come back to God, because they view themselves as very good people who do not receive advice from more lowly people, people like me. All human plans are useless, as when God is planning a disaster tomorrow, all today’s plans apart from God are useless and meaningless. So, if God is planning a great disaster tomorrow, how would you spend your time today, especially if everything is out of your control? God is giving many warnings, but do people really want to change and follow Him only, and not their own wrong perceptions of themselves?
But if people truly wanted to change, I would give you an example of a truly good person and his fellow men who had a right standing with God and everyone can make their own judgments about God’s punishments and God’s justice and mercy:
Nehemiah 9
29 "You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands. They did not follow your regulations, by which people will find life if only they obey. They stubbornly turned their backs on you and refused to listen.30 In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets. But still they wouldn't listen! So once again you allowed the peoples of the land to conquer them.31 But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!
32 "And now, our God, the great and mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of unfailing love, do not let all the hardships we have suffered seem insignificant to you. Great trouble has come upon us and upon our kings and leaders and priests and prophets and ancestors—all of your people—from the days when the kings of Assyria first triumphed over us until now.33 Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved.34 Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors did not obey your Law or listen to the warnings in your commands and laws.35 Even while they had their own kingdom, they did not serve you, though you showered your goodness on them. You gave them a large, fertile land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.
36 "So now today we are slaves in the land of plenty that you gave our ancestors for their enjoyment! We are slaves here in this good land.37 The lush produce of this land piles up in the hands of the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. They have power over us and our livestock. We serve them at their pleasure, and we are in great misery."
The People Agree to Obey
38 *The people responded, "In view of all this,* we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing. On this sealed document are the names of our leaders and Levites and priests."
Nehemiah 5
Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed
1 About this time some of the men and their wives raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews.2 They were saying, "We have such large families. We need more food to survive."
3 Others said, "We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and homes to get food during the famine."
4 And others said, "We have had to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay our taxes.5 We belong to the same family as those who are wealthy, and our children are just like theirs. Yet we must sell our children into slavery just to get enough money to live. We have already sold some of our daughters, and we are helpless to do anything about it, for our fields and vineyards are already mortgaged to others."
6 When I heard their complaints, I was very angry.7 After thinking it over, I spoke out against these nobles and officials. I told them, "You are hurting your own relatives by charging interest when they borrow money!" Then I called a public meeting to deal with the problem.
8 At the meeting I said to them, "We are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?" And they had nothing to say in their defense.
9 Then I pressed further, "What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?10 I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest.11 You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil."
12 They replied, "We will give back everything and demand nothing more from the people. We will do as you say." Then I called the priests and made the nobles and officials swear to do what they had promised.
13 I shook out the folds of my robe and said, "If you fail to keep your promise, may God shake you like this from your homes and from your property!"
The whole assembly responded, "Amen," and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
14 For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes* —neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance.15 The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces* of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.
16 I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.17 I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands!18 The provisions I paid for each day included one ox, six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor's food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.
19 Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.
32. ania said the following at 8:37 AM on Jun 30:
Concerning plans, I don't believe the bible condemns them at all. Granted, we are to trust in the Lord for He will provide, but we are also encouraged to plan having His purpose at heart.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
33. Ashley Harris said the following at 8:55 AM on Jun 30:
BY:
If you are going to reference long passages please use a hyperlink to Biblegateway.com or your preferred site.
I will not be publishing comments as long as your last one again.
34. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 9:21 AM on Jun 30:
BY (#31),
I understand the point that you were/are making. Godless people (unbelievers, non-Christians) should be, first and foremost, concerned with having a right standing before (and relationship with) God, instead of being presumptuously occupied with making future plans. In that context, *in a sense* at least, it can be said that "all future plans are futile," until a person is right with God, by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The confusing thing is that when you began to make your comments here, on *this particular thread,* everyone else was conversing from the standpoint of already being a Christian, and simply making career choices from within that context. That was the topic of this thread, as started by Heather, the author of the original piece.
Therefore, when you posted your comments about the futility of (non-believers) making all future plans, with those quotations of Scripture, you were essentially beginning a different conversation than *anyone else* here was having (all of us already being believers)-- but you didn't seem to acknowledge you were changing the topic. You simply began exhorting and warning about "the futility of making all future plans."
This would have made sense, if we were all non-Christians, talking about our career plans and choices, but obviously, we are not-- thus, the discordance between what we were saying and what you were/are saying here.
35. BY said the following at 10:56 AM on Jun 30:
Christopher from Albuquerque #34:
Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied to people who called themselves believers in God. They also made their plans and their plans did not include the capture and fall of Jerusalem, their beloved city. They also quoted passages from Scripture and yet God warned them that he would punish them, and then he did it. True believers have nothing to fear because their home is in heaven and not here in this world. Suffering for them is an honor and for the glory of God, because their joy and their hope come from His Spirit and not from the things of this world. You talk about plans in general, but do you know what tomorrow, July 1st, 2009, holds? Who knows the mind of God and his plans? If tomorrow or very soon after tomorrow God punishes the whole world and the stars fall out of the sky, and the sun and the moon stop giving their light, where would your plans lead you then? Wouldn’t you want to know God’s plans before you make your own? Wouldn’t you want to know when God’s anger is pouring over and over and He is about to unleash his whole wrath in this world if the so-called believers and leaders do not heed to his warning and do not turn back to Him and start relying on His wisdom and His Spirit?
I’ve seen it with my own eyes how the leaders of the church ignored the Spirit of God in order to please men who were beasts. God warned them over and over again, and yet, they cared only for themselves. They chose to do evil and did not even think of what they were doing before the eyes of the Almighty and all powerful God. They thought they could get way for it and still continue living as they used to. But God in His great love and mercy will surely punish them and destroy their beloved Jerusalem as He said He would do in order to bring them to justice and repentance so they may save their souls before it is too late. When God decides to destroy and to punish, only a few people can escape, but I do not know if you will be one of them. Think about it before you answer.
36. BY said the following at 11:12 AM on Jun 30:
Ashley:
This was my last comment on Boundless. I finished what I came for. God bless!
37. Ashley Harris said the following at 11:48 AM on Jun 30:
Blessings to you too BY. Sorry if my comment was harsh. It's just better to link to long excerpts :)
38. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 12:03 PM on Jun 30:
BY (#36),
God's ultimate plan, in the past, present, and future, has been, is, and will be, to glorify Himself, both in saving and in judging people
(sorry for the syntax there!).
I know that I cannot "earn" salvation by my good works. In and of myself, I am a wretched sinner, deserving God's judgment and wrath. However, in His mercy, God has saved me, and I am trusting in Christ, and his perfect life and death in my place, for my salvation.
This is my only hope and assurance of being accepted by God, counted righteous in His sight, and being loved by Him. It is a *certain* hope though, because my hope and trust are in the only true God who is *Himself* certain, a Solid Rock upon which to rest one's eternal destiny.
39. Jo said the following at 3:12 PM on Jun 30:
Chrstopher to BY:
"...you were essentially beginning a different conversation than *anyone else* here was having (all of us already being believers)-- but you didn't seem to acknowledge you were changing the topic."
This is the problem I see with a lot of BY's posts. I don't think s/he realises s/he's doing it, but it's incredibly confusing.