Proverbs 31:15

Here is the next devotion in the Virtuous Woman series. I hope this and previous posts have been a blessing to you, and that they have helped in some way. I don't know that it is possible to ever achieve the Virtuous Woman in its entirety. However, through the help of the Lord Jesus Christ, through trials, finding our weaknesses, and learning from our mistakes over the years, we can become the woman that God desires and whom our husband desires.

Proverbs 31:15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

This is a difficult verse for me to teach to others, because I don’t live it myself at this point in my life. There was a time earlier in our marriage that I did wake early to make breakfast for my husband, and pack his lunch, at 3:30 a.m. so he could be at work at 5 a.m.

At first, in studying this verse, I tried to pick verses such as Psalm 127:2...It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Nevertheless, the virtuous woman rose early.

Her example is basically:

-Not lazy, but a hard worker. She was industrious.

-Not wasteful of her time. Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Satan will use many things, if we allow him, to steal our time doing unproductive things.

-Not selfish. The verse doesn’t say anything about when she had her meal, but served her family and maidens first. She put her family before herself. Meal times as a family are special. When we were first married, we ate meals on TV trays in front of the TV. We realized we had no communication between us, so we began eating together at the dining room table. It’s a great time to catch up on events of the day.

I cannot picture the virtuous woman doing the following:

-Watching soap operas and eating bonbons, or shows like Oprah...or TV in general.

-Playing computer games all day.

-Reading romance novels filled with ungodly lust.

-Talking on the phone for hours. If I call my friend from Missouri, Tammy, we usually talk for an hour or so, but I try to continue working at the same time.

-Gossiping. Gossip is not just necessarily talking about negative things about other people. It can be just telling information about someone that the other person does not need to know. Many people (Christians) use the excuse of prayer to tell others private information...”Pray for _____, she has really been going through it....” 1 Timothy 5:13,14 “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”

The Bible says: Phillippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Virtue: a voluntary desire for, and obedience to, TRUTH.

Our home reflects our attitude, what we think about, and what we do with our time. Those things will also reflect in our children.

So what did she do with her time? Verses following speak of her making things, such as clothing for her household, and fine linen and girdles, and selling them to the merchant. She had her own business.

Examples of women in the Bible that were industrious:

*Tabitha(Dorcas)-a widow that made coats and garments. Acts 9:36-42

*Lydia, seller of purple. Acts 16:14-15

*(Aquila and) Priscilla were tentmakers: Acts 18:2-3 She helped her husband.

I do not believe, though, that the virtuous woman had a business that required forsaking her children or husband. I believe that Lydia, if she had children(the Bible doesn’t say, but does speak of ‘her household’), that she would have taken them with her. I doubt she would have left them with another lady to go make money. They are our first ministry. Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

What are some things a wife can do to help make money and yet not forsake her first ministry?

Some examples are:

Make food and sell it, sew for others, clean houses, babysit, help teach others’ children.

Other ideas: make crafts to sell at holiday bazaars, take clothes to consignment stores to sell, have a bake sale, have a yard sale.

Sometimes doing nothing can also be a good thing. An example of this is sitting on the yard swing with your husband and enjoying a cup of coffee/cappuccino together, or snuggling on the couch after lunch. Video games, computer games, or a movie may be a fun way to spend a little bit of time with your children. There should be a BALANCE of these things, though. Again, our home reflects what we do with our time, and those things will also reflect in our children.

She arose early! UGH!!

Most people enjoy reading their Bibles in the morning. Personally, I prefer to at night, but that does not always work out, and my mind is usually on what I’m making for breakfast or the laundry that needs to be done, etc. However, Proverbs 8:17 says: I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. And also, Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Since the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 had an organized, successful, and productive life, she must have gotten up very early and spent time with the Lord in prayer, in the quiet of her home before the family arose.

Christ arose early on the third day, after paying the penalty for MY sin on the cross and then by descending into the pit of hell for three days. I should desire to get up early each morning to thank Him for what He did for me. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Not to make excuses for myself, but to acknowledge that I’m far from perfect, and far from being the virtuous woman in the Bible. Whether it is because of health reasons, because I am not a morning person, or simply to avoid facing my daily responsibilities, I struggle with this verse in my life. Some people excel in areas that others do not. We may never achieve the “perfect virtuous woman”, but we should try. God wants to spend time with us, so we should take the time to spend some with Him. Even if we do not begin our day with Him, He should be on our minds throughout the day as we work.

The life we are living is the life we are teaching.

GOD'S WORD WORKS!!

Proverbs 31:13,14

As we continue through the book of Proverbs, we will see in many of the verses to follow that the Virtuous Woman was very industrious, and seemingly always busy. It is important that we not be idle, but we have to remember to keep our focus on the Lord and what our priorities are. He should come first, then our husband and children. As we grow in our relationship to the Lord, then we will also grow in our relationships to our husband and children.

Proverbs 31:13, 14

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Two words stuck out to me, the first being “seeketh”.

This means the virtuous woman was:

*diligent--she shops for good deals

-watches for sales, looks at weekly grocery ads to see what’s on sale

-stocks up on needful things that are on sale

-uses coupons on items you normally would purchase, not on things that are unnecessary

-buys off-brand items as much as possible(cheap is not always best, however)

*She would not spend money foolishly, but on what would benefit her family...their needs, not just their wants.

*She would not be hasty in her decisions on purchases. We may miss out on a blessing by buying on impulse instead of being patient and waiting on the Lord. Last year, we were in need of a queen-size bed and another twin bed. When we had company visit from out of town, we didn't have sufficient places for them to sleep. We had gone shopping for a new queen bed, but since they were out of our price range, we decided to wait. Within two weeks or so, we were able to acquire a queen mattress, then a box springs, then a frame, then an oak headboard, all for $10. About the same time, we acquired a twin mattress set in the same manner. The Lord supplied those needs just at the perfect time, and at a more than reasonable price. He is just so good!

Another good example of waiting on the Lord is from an excerpt from Mrs. Jones' book, The Virtuous Woman:

["One fall, I really wanted to make my little granddaughters fancy velvet dresses. I went to all my best bargain stores but all in vain. The very lowest price was ten dollars a yard! How could I spend the money God had given me so foolishly? What could our missionaries do with the money it would take to make three velvet dresses? All things considered, my answer was, "No." Now there are some things that grandmothers desire in their hearts that only God understands.

We went to West Virginia to visit friends. They lived on top of a mountain in the wilderness. It was a beautiful place, but it was far from any major city. The men went hunting and left us to visit. The conversation settled on our common interest in sewing, and she suggested we visit her favorite fabric store. Off we went, down the mountain. We probably traveled about twenty minutes after we reached the base of the mountain. We came to a fabric store in a small, country town. What met my astonished eyes as we entered the store but a huge table of velveteen? Would you believe? It was priced at $2.50 a pound! That was a pound not a yard! The Lord said, "Go on, Mamaw, have a desire of your heart." I truly believe that God gave me this bargain because I refused to yield and waste the money he had trusted to my use."]

Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

*She saves their money whenever possible. Times may get tough now and then, so making things from scratch can save a lot of money, although it takes more time. By keeping basic items in your pantry, there are many simple things you can make to add to a meal and make it a bit more special: Biscuits, muffins, breads, quick breads, and rolls. These are filling, and stretch a meal nicely.

Some easy to make things with basic ingredients are:

Pancakes, waffles, muffins, biscuits, cookies, cakes, breads, and pies.
-Items to keep on hand: Flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and powder, eggs, milk, oil, butter, cocoa, oats, yeast, dried fruit, fresh fruit like bananas, oranges, and apples.

-A few extras can make something extra yummy: Chocolate chips, coconut, frozen fruit(blueberries for muffins), cake mix, brownie mix, canned cherry or apple filling, canned pumpkin.

*She does not “poor mouth”- that is, constantly talking about not having enough money for this or that, and making your husband look like a poor provider. This also shows that we haven’t trusted in the Lord to supply our needs, and that we are dissatisfied and discontent with what we have been given.

If we have needs, our Heavenly Father knows all about them. Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

We are to pray to Him to supply those needs. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

We just need to be faithful with what He HAS ALREADY given us, and He may be able to trust us with more. Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We can also help save money by making clothes, buying them at garage sales or thrift stores, or sale items.

The second word in these verses to discuss is the word, “willingly”.

What is our attitude, or willingness, to do these things, to help save his/our hard-earned income?

What was Christ’s willingness for us?

2 Peter 3:9 God is“not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Because of this, He willingly gave us His Son:

2 Corinthians 8:9-12 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor , that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

Maybe we can’t do EVERYTHING, but we can try. Christ gave it all for us! We just need to be willing to try.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Christ was a servant. By serving others, we are serving God.

1 Thess 4:11-12 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

By serving God, we are being a testimony to them that are without(the unsaved).

His Word also says, “that ye may have lack of nothing”. God will supply our needs if we have a willingness to work with our hands.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Isn’t our ultimate goal to serve God, be a good testimony, and hope that others will come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour? We are not here on earth to serve ourselves and be happy. Our lives are so short, James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life: It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. But we can make a difference for God while we’re here. By working willingly with our hands, we are serving God.

God’s Word Works!!