When the Provider is Compared to a Slave

Poverty creates all kinds of difficulties for "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood." It is difficult, even impossible, to tell men and women they have failed to be what God has called them to be just because the economy isn't working.

Women are used to being told their "role" is that of a parent and spouse, but men have usually had the added "serve God" clause that has allowed them to pursue their dreams. Well, sorry guys, that is no longer the case. 

On the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood's website, JD Gunter calls all men to set their dreams aside in order to provide for their families. 

Something about growing up and having a family changes the perspective of a man. Instead of a professional athlete, he aims for management. Instead of a multi-platinum record deal, he pursues health insurance. Instead of wanting to be a famous astronaut, he dreams of raising one. This is maturity. This is growing up. This is a man dying to self and living for another.

It used to be women who were told to set aside their dreams and watch their children pursue theirs. Their sons weren't only allowed to dream about becoming artists, athletes, and astronauts, they were actively encouraged to become everything and anything they could. But all that is over now. Instead of pursuing their dreams, men should set their eyes on well-paying jobs; making money, that is what Christ-likeness is all about.

Of course, well-paying jobs are becoming increasingly rare, wherefore...

This truth is not meant to shame men who struggle to provide. On the contrary, there is tremendous honor for that man who struggles to provide. I have known men to work three meager-paying jobs to humbly support a wife and children. Men have toiled away for years working faithfully in what the world would never see as a dream job. In the face of great uncertainty, men take what jobs they can find and spend little as they feed, clothe and provide for their kids.

And of course a man can still chase his dreams - as long as his wife can stay home.

It is enlightening to look at the verses Gunter uses to support his argument.

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Tim 5:8NIV)

 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Col 3:23-24 NIV).

First of all, neither is from the creation account, which is kind of strange since this providing business is supposed to be a created "role." But the chosen verses are equally dubious. The first verse is gender neutral and includes all, but his second choice was written to... slaves. 

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism (Col 3:22-25, NIV).

What is going on here? In order to convince modern men their created role is that of a provider, Gunter has to compare them to first century slaves. It is kind of fitting, for Jesus did tell us that the one who wants to be the greatest must become a slave (Matt 20:27), but this begs the question: how much authority does a slave have? 

Unwittingly Gunter makes the man a lowly farmhand who must because of sin toil away until he dies, which is a very biblical concept indeed (Gen 3:17). Because the man's "role" isn't all that glorious, hierarchical complementarians must give the man authority over his wife. But if the man is like a slave, what is his wife?


Source:

http://cbmw.org/men/manhood/men-as-providers/