Should you work full time if full time hours are available?

Belonging to Abba

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I got hired at a store where I received part time hours, that is about 30 hours per week. Retail is relatively low income. Because I think I want to start a family in the future, I am wondering if God wants me to work more hours? I kind have gotten used to my shorter shifts where I get off early in the afternoon and get to relax more.

However if full time hours are available should I take more? Part of the reason to consider is not only my future, but the store is short staffed where there is not enough people to get all the work done and my supervisor works full time and takes more of the load than I do. However I am thinking the responsibility here is that they should hire enough people to do the job.

The value that I place on working part time has to do with spiritual information I have received that values resting in Jesus more. The devotional book Jesus Calling by missionary Sarah Young teaches the value of spending more time with Jesus and avoiding the activity addition of this age. This book challenges us that the continual nonstop demands of a busy schedule can be put on hold and rest in Jesus can be found. The book shares that Christians have bought into the misconception that more activity and more programs are beneficial when Jesus wants us to be less active.

Because I am highly involved in ministering / visiting my special needs family member, more of my free time is taken up.
 

eleos1954

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I got hired at a store where I received part time hours, that is about 30 hours per week. Retail is relatively low income. Because I think I want to start a family in the future, I am wondering if God wants me to work more hours? I kind have gotten used to my shorter shifts where I get off early in the afternoon and get to relax more.

However if full time hours are available should I take more? Part of the reason to consider is not only my future, but the store is short staffed where there is not enough people to get all the work done and my supervisor works full time and takes more of the load than I do. However I am thinking the responsibility here is that they should hire enough people to do the job.

The value that I place on working part time has to do with spiritual information I have received that values resting in Jesus more. The devotional book Jesus Calling by missionary Sarah Young teaches the value of spending more time with Jesus and avoiding the activity addition of this age. This book challenges us that the continual nonstop demands of a busy schedule can be put on hold and rest in Jesus can be found. The book shares that Christians have bought into the misconception that more activity and more programs are beneficial when Jesus wants us to be less active.

Because I am highly involved in ministering / visiting my special needs family member, more of my free time is taken up.

If you can "float your boat" financially ... what does it matter? Not sure ... possibly going full-time might provide for better benefits (insurance etc.) ... if thinking about family then insurance is a must. Are you planning on this store being a life-time job? Most jobs now a days are not "life-time", possible exception government.
 
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NerdGirl

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I got hired at a store where I received part time hours, that is about 30 hours per week. Retail is relatively low income. Because I think I want to start a family in the future, I am wondering if God wants me to work more hours? I kind have gotten used to my shorter shifts where I get off early in the afternoon and get to relax more.

However if full time hours are available should I take more? Part of the reason to consider is not only my future, but the store is short staffed where there is not enough people to get all the work done and my supervisor works full time and takes more of the load than I do. However I am thinking the responsibility here is that they should hire enough people to do the job.

The value that I place on working part time has to do with spiritual information I have received that values resting in Jesus more. The devotional book Jesus Calling by missionary Sarah Young teaches the value of spending more time with Jesus and avoiding the activity addition of this age. This book challenges us that the continual nonstop demands of a busy schedule can be put on hold and rest in Jesus can be found. The book shares that Christians have bought into the misconception that more activity and more programs are beneficial when Jesus wants us to be less active.

Because I am highly involved in ministering / visiting my special needs family member, more of my free time is taken up.

If you have the opportunity, and you want to save up to support a family in the future, you aren't married, you don't have children... then yes, I think you should go full time. Even working 40 hours a week, a single, unattached person typically has plenty of free time leftover. It's better to prepare for the future while you have the luxury of not having to do it, than to wait until you meet someone you want to marry, and realize you only have a part time job, no significant savings, and you can't find a full time position.
 
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Belonging to Abba

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I have heard different opinions here. It may be best to ask for prayer for my decision. I am kind of leaning toward the value of more time with God/ more free time and not all the pressure that comes from marriage. However because my workplace has been under more pressure I may try to go full time.
 
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Union With Christ

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I have heard different opinions here. It may be best to ask for prayer for my decision. I am kind of leaning toward the value of more time with God/ more free time and not all the pressure that comes from marriage. However because my workplace has been under more pressure I may try to go full time.

John 6:27 Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval."
 
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coffee4u

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I think some additional information is needed. Are you married? How do you support your family on a part-time job?
My view won't be popular, but as a man I believe it is your job to provide for your family. I went to your profile to check because at first, I thought you were women and since pregnancy can be hard, working only part-time or even quitting work can be a good thing. Of course, this is contingent on enough money coming in to live off. Your wife can hardly relax in pregnancy if you are not providing for her. Now, this isn't to say I think women should never work, of course they can. I also think sometimes the man can stay home and the wife can support the family if this is a decision both have fully agreed upon and are at peace with. I would pray about it and be sure that you and your wife are in full agreement with whatever opportunities come your way. I do think its best for children if at least one parent can stay home most of the time.

1 Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

If spending more time with the Lord looks like your family not being able to pay the bills or eat properly then no, that isn't what you should be doing.

If working more is simply about having a newer car that isn't needed than yes, stay part-time.
If working more is simply about helping your workplace out I tend to say no unless they are really struggling, because it's their responsibility to make sure they have enough workers.
 
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Union With Christ

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I think some additional information is needed. Are you married? How do you support your family on a part-time job?
My view won't be popular, but as a man I believe it is your job to provide for your family. I went to your profile to check because at first, I thought you were women and since pregnancy can be hard, working only part-time or even quitting work can be a good thing. Of course, this is contingent on enough money coming in to live off. Your wife can hardly relax in pregnancy if you are not providing for her. Now, this isn't to say I think women should never work, of course they can. I also think sometimes the man can stay home and the wife can support the family if this is a decision both have fully agreed upon and are at peace with. I would pray about it and be sure that you and your wife are in full agreement with whatever opportunities come your way. I do think its best for children if at least one parent can stay home most of the time.

1 Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

If spending more time with the Lord looks like your family not being able to pay the bills or eat properly then no, that isn't what you should be doing.

If working more is simply about having a newer car that isn't needed than yes, stay part-time.
If working more is simply about helping your workplace out I tend to say no unless they are really struggling, because it's their responsibility to make sure they have enough workers.

He said that he is single with no family.
 
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coffee4u

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He said that he is single with no family.

I must have missed that he is single. I only saw that he wanted to start a family in the future.

Op if you are single then this is moot-unless you are the sole provider of a widowed mother or another family member in need. I did notice that you have a special needs family member.
If your family does not need your job for suport and God isn't urging you to work full time then stay part time.
 
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Joined2krist

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It all depends. If you can't save enough to provide for your future family on a part time job then I advise you to work full time. You can also exercise faith by trusting God to provide for your needs and future family needs even with a part time job, He can do it but you have to believe it.
 
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bèlla

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There are 168 hours in a week. If you spent 56 sleeping and 30 working you’d still have 82 remaining. Perhaps you should track the time you really spend doing the things you’ve mentioned. Then you’ll know where your time is going. I’d use an app. :)

Yours in His Service,

~bella
 
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fm107

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I got hired at a store where I received part time hours, that is about 30 hours per week. Retail is relatively low income. Because I think I want to start a family in the future, I am wondering if God wants me to work more hours? I kind have gotten used to my shorter shifts where I get off early in the afternoon and get to relax more.

However if full time hours are available should I take more? Part of the reason to consider is not only my future, but the store is short staffed where there is not enough people to get all the work done and my supervisor works full time and takes more of the load than I do. However I am thinking the responsibility here is that they should hire enough people to do the job.

The value that I place on working part time has to do with spiritual information I have received that values resting in Jesus more. The devotional book Jesus Calling by missionary Sarah Young teaches the value of spending more time with Jesus and avoiding the activity addition of this age. This book challenges us that the continual nonstop demands of a busy schedule can be put on hold and rest in Jesus can be found. The book shares that Christians have bought into the misconception that more activity and more programs are beneficial when Jesus wants us to be less active.

Because I am highly involved in ministering / visiting my special needs family member, more of my free time is taken up.

If you are wanting to start a family then you need to work so you can save the money that is required to provide a decent living for yourself and for your family. Not only that but we live in very uncertain times, it would be prudent to get all the work you can get, so like Joesph you save in the good years before the bad years come.

Instead of making it an option of either working or spending time with the Lord, why not do both? Try to be prayerful as you go about your day, meditate upon the Lord. I'm sure you get times at work where your doing a physical activity where you can be in prayer in your spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Ephesians 6:18
Philippians 4:8
Colossians 3:2
 
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NerdGirl

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Focus on ministry and the kingdom of God. Jesus was a minister of the gospel and he did not hold a job. We are to model our lives after him.

Nowhere in Scripture will you find that God honors those who refuse to work for a living.

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

If someone is going to pursue full-time ministry, that's one thing. But a single man, with no wife, no children, and no responsibilities outside what he chooses for himself, should be working a full-time job.
 
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coffee4u

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Nowhere in Scripture will you find that God honors those who refuse to work for a living.

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

If someone is going to pursue full-time ministry, that's one thing. But a single man, with no wife, no children, and no responsibilities outside what he chooses for himself, should be working a full-time job.

How do you know that what he is making now isn't enough for his current needs? Perhaps he lives at home and has little expenses and helps out in other non paid ways?
If the full time job is simply to save more, I don't see why that is needed.
 
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Endeavourer

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The answer depends on whether you have an independent source of wealth to support yourself and your healthcare (whether present or future) needs.

To my conviction, it's wrong to work part time as a choice and rely on public assistance of any kind, including Medicaid. If you have the ability and opportunity to work it's important to fully provide for yourself without taking support from other tax payers.

Secondly, unless you have independent wealth, it's important to store up savings for your retirement and for rainy days so that again you are managing your affairs such that you are not taking support from other tax payers.

Also, this is the time of your life to build up a credit and salary history so you can purchase a home. An idea would be to purchase a duplex so your renter can pay your mortgage and help you build up equity.

Do you have enough savings to replace your car when it wears out?

To my convictions, working part time (when you are capable of working full time and have the opportunity to do so) while extracting any type of support from the other taxpayers - or not planning to support yourself in your retirement - is enforced taking from others and is theft, pure and simple.

If you are independently wealthy and these are not factors, then make your decision as you desire.
 
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Endeavourer

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One more comment - at this time in your life when you are not supporting others and you have low expenses is the time you can make a lot of progress in preparing financially for your future.

Most women will not be interested in marrying a low earner who does not have the interest in working full time and does not have savings to live on - why should they saddle themselves to a life of penury, possibly debt and public assistance?
 
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coffee4u

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One more comment - at this time in your life when you are not supporting others and you have low expenses is the time you can make a lot of progress in preparing financially for your future.

Most women will not be interested in marrying a low earner who does not have the interest in working full time and does not have savings to live on - why should they saddle themselves to a life of penury, possibly debt and public assistance?

Does he say anywhere what his situation is though?
If not, more information is needed.
 
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