The Cost of Home Education

According to the US Census Bureau, American Christians put the value of home education at about $29,586/year. This is the difference between the 2017 average household income, and average income per capita.

The majority of American households would rather utilize public school child care, enabling both spouses to work, than trust to the clear promises God gives to those who obey Him.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6, KJV

I understand it is possible for a spouse to work while educating their children at home, but the reality of such an arrangement is the exception far more often than it is the rule.

For years, my family was ensnared in the lie the fallen world preaches: grow your income and the quality of life for you and your family will also increase. I thought it would be more efficient for both my wife and I to work outside the home, and we blindly accepted the typical arrangement. After having our second child, and witnessing ever-increasing levels of intellectual and spiritual depravity in our first, we resolved to make a change.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33, KJV

Removing the earning potential of my wife from the household income equation was not an easy decision. In 2016, I was finishing my undergraduate degree. At that time, with my work experience, I was lucky to reach that average per capita income number referenced above. My wife had already earned her Masters, and to an outsider, her being the primary bread-winner, or at least helping, was a no-brainer.

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8, KJV

Trusting to the promises of God, my wife dedicated herself to full time home education and eliminated any remaining ‘side hustles’. We dedicated our family to raising kids in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6), spurned the two-income paradigm, and I quickly realized a new level of dedication and reward as my efforts as the primary source of income started bearing fruit.

“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26, KJV

I don’t just mean financial fruit (though God has indeed blessed our family beyond what we deserve). With my wife being a rock star educating and keeping a wonderful home, our family has grown closer than we ever thought possible: from the relationship our boys share together to their individual relationships with Mom and Dad. Our home is no longer a temporary evening weigh station, but instead is a Gospel outpost of love, discipleship, and repentance.

Of course it isn’t perfect…we still struggle with budgets, tempers, and schedules. But the rewards we receive through the blessings of God upon our family makes $29,586 extra every year look like garbage. God is indeed faithful, and obeying His commands may seem crazy to the world, but He promises us more than we could ever ask or think of. (Eph. 3:20)

So I ask, how much does it take for the world to distract you from His promises?