How do homemakers’ work differ based on how much money their husbands earn? In what ways must their work be the same? Let’s begin with the definition of a “good provider,” referring to husbands. Often people call a man a “good provider” as a codeword for that he makes a lot of money. But, I don’t think that is only how we should define a “good” provider.

Any man can be a good provider if he has a vision for his livelihood and he is hard working. A pig farmer who has a plan that he wants to always be a pig farmer and in his vision that will likely not make ever more than a few thousand dollars a month is not a bad provider. He is providing a stable, beautiful vision for his family and work.

“Stable” does not mean a man in sales isn’t a good provider because one month he makes x and another month he makes 2x. He as well is the right kind of stable and predictable as a provider if he has a vision for his career and isn’t lazy.

No women should speak poorly to other people about the amount her husband provides her.

It is important for homemakers to acknowledge that upperclass, working class, and middle class housewives have different experiences. All can be faithful, home oriented wives.

Upper class women should not lose their vision for being centered around the home because they have freedom to hire out certain tasks. A working class wife should not abandon being a homemaker all together because she needs more money. Middle class women have some experiences of both groups.

No class of women should give in to any forms of 1) envy or 2) boredom.

How can each class be faithful and home oriented?

An upper class homemaker may not have to do any strategizing to creatively save money. She may freely buy the things she wants and needs without waiting. God has given her this providence and she should not be ashamed of her riches. She has been given much and should turn a profit and be fruitful. Under her husband’s direction, she may hire out some work, like schooling or tutoring her children on some subjects, cleaning, laundry, or at times cooking. Even with the option to hire out some work, she must be highly available to her children and characterized by her work in her home.

The working class housewife is often strategically economizing. She must be innovative to provide special treats for the kids. She may shoulder more heavy labor. She may cook more from scratch, homeschool, and have fewer convenience options or choices to delegate some of her tasks. But, a cheerful working class wife will have, as Sharon White puts it, “a healthy glow in her cheeks” from her good labor.

Middle class women are somewhere in between. She may be able to have various conveniences and hired help with tasks, but needing frugality in other areas.

Some working class homemakers may think since upperclass women can hire out jobs, they are not as oriented around their homes as lower class women. That is indeed a pitfall for upperclass wives, but being able to hire out some services does not necessitate they are not faithful homemakers.

All must be keepers at home, hospitable, husband oriented, children oriented, content, hardworking, and merry.

“…every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3