CHRISTIAN ETHICAL RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGE OF SEPARATION BY JOB AMONG CHRISTIAN COUPLES

Abstract

Separation by job is a situation whereby married couples are not living together because of the circumstances of their jobs. In some instances, the husband and wife live and work in different cities or states, and only come visiting during weekends, leave periods, some public holidays, or only as it is convenient. In some more extreme cases, the husband and wife are living and working in separate countries. Visiting may not be convenient for many years and relocating may also not be possible because of immigration issues and other factors. The paper identified the challenge of separation by job among Christian couples as a contemporary ethical issue that should be responded to biblically. The paper clarifies that those considered to be separated by their job are couples whose circumstances of their jobs are not allowing them to live together. The paper examined factors that may be responsible for such phenomenon and the challenges this may pose on the family. It moreover presented a biblical view of marriage, and offered a biblical response to the challenge of separation by job among Christian couples. The paper concluded that couples who engage in such practice may have their various justifications for it; however, it still falls below biblical standard of marriage. No sacrifice is too big to make on the parts of Christian couples for the sake of their family's spiritual, physical, moral, and emotional health. Couples should critically consider their options and decisions biblically before taking decision on separation by job.