A Biblical Attitude Towards Housework

(You can listen to this post on my podcast.)

You sleepily turn off the alarm and stumble to get your morning coffee. Entering the kitchen, you are greeted by the dishes that are sitting in cold water in the sink, like sunken ships at sea. Also drumming its fingers in need of attention is the pile of laundry that is tumbling out of the bottomless pit hamper. You wonder if you’ll ever get caught up on everything that needs to be done. Housework. Isn’t it just a drudgery that we have to plug through each hour, each day and each week? From the floors to dishes to laundry, there’s always something calling for our attention. While it can be overwhelming, having a biblical attitude about it can truly change not only how we approach it, but it could also enable us to accomplish more. Does the Lord care or have anything to say about the way we work in our home? Oh, yes, and it’s so encouraging and can be a game-changer if we apply His Truth to those responsibilities.

Let’s face it, we sometimes approach work as though it is a curse from God. But the Lord gave Adam work responsibilities in the Garden before sin ever entered the world. He was to dress and keep the garden. (Gen. 2:15) In my mind’s eye I see him pruning bushes, clipping roses, and gathering the fruit from the trees. It did become more difficult after sin, though. Now there would be weeds to contend with and the other curses of the ground (I’m thinking about the poison ivy I’ve experienced again this summer!). But work itself is really a blessing. To have the strength and energy to do so is a gift we might take for granted until we are sick and weak and that privilege is taken from us.

What does God say about our work in His Word? Let’s consider these passages…

1. If a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t eat. II Thess. 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Laziness is not accepted by the Lord. If a person is just looking for a handout, and not willing to work, the Lord says he doesn’t deserve to eat.
2. Work is to be done with all your heart. Ecc. 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. No matter if you’re vacuuming, folding clothes or dusting, God says, don’t do it half-heartedly. Can you imagine that when God created the world that He gave less that the very best to His work? He even said that “it was good!” Could that be said of every task you’ve put your hands to today?
3. Don’t be lazy! Prov. 19:24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom (dish), and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. We need to see the work around us and not put it off with the thought that we’ll do it later.
4. Don’t waste your time. Prov. 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. Are you following vain pursuits like Instagram and Facebook when you should be up getting supper started or throwing in that next load of laundry? Are we being idle when there are piles all around us that need our attention? Use every minute wisely and you’ll accomplish what needs to be done each day.

On the other end of the spectrum, we also need to guard against a desire for perfection, which of course will never happen. We work in order to make our home a place where our family and guests are welcome without feeling uncomfortable because they innocently undid something we worked hard to accomplish.

People are more important than things.

When we first moved into our current home, everything was brand new. As our friends helped moved boxes into the house, one man looked at our hardwood flooring and declared, “You better be careful! Even sliding a box across the floor will scratch these hardwoods.” Yikes! I made a mental note and then went on ALERT to make sure that floor got protected. The result was that I drove myself to distraction AND we got scratches anyway! The Lord had to bring to my attention that every one of those scratches came as a result of people. Precious people who had lived, played, rested, had been ministered to, had been fed and loved. They were more important than having a perfectly shining floor.

The work that is created in our home is because of people and for people.

We read in Deuteronomy 6 – And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up. All this happens at home and it creates work –
When you sit in your house – This could be mealtime. Someone needs to cook the food. Then there are dirty dishes to wash and pans to scrub. But oh, the blessing of sitting around that table and sharing that meal that includes saying a blessing, talking, and laughing together!
When you walk by the way – You’re opening the door and bringing someone inside. Footprints are tracked in on the floor, dirty shoes are on the carpet, but your arms have been open to bring your family, neighbors or friends to come inside where it’s inviting and welcoming.
When you lie down – People are lying down in the beds, dirtying the sheets, yes, but little ones are being prayed for, sung to, and friends are finding rest in your house.

Are these not all the very reasons we work? We are creating a place where we can swing open the doors and welcome in and love people. Like the early church in Acts 2:46 who were breaking bread from house to house, and eating their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, we need to have a single heart of joy and fellowship in Christ!

Let’s have the attitude that says, I GET to open my house to others and show them Christ. I GET to clean my house now! Perhaps it would do us well to pray this prayer I read…

Lord, thank you for this oven that really needs to be cleaned today. It has baked so many wonderful things for us.
Thank you for this finger-smudged freezer that needs defrosting. It has served us faithfully for a long time and inside are enough leftovers to serve us many meals.
My thanks for this bathroom, complete with soggy towels, splattered mirrors and grimy lavatory, it’s still very convenient.
I’d like to thank you for these unmade beds. They sure were comfortable last night. (We can also thank you for the people who slept in those beds).
Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry. We do have nice clothes to wear.
Thank you for the dirty floor. The children are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says that You have richly blessed this family, and I do them all cheerfully and gratefully.
Amen.

How could refreshing your attitude about work change how you approach your chores today?