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!!