Proverbs 31 verses 10-27 (NKJV)
“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
Proverbs 31 presents us with an amazing woman of many talents. Today I will like to focus on 2 aspects. This special chapter in the Bible brings to us a woman of diligence, and an extremely hardworking woman.
We see a woman who was not lazy physically, mentally and spiritually. She was no idle woman but one who put her hand to the plough and did not look back. She was not a woman given to excuses. She was always gainfully occupied, as a home maker, a business woman, an employer and a worker.
She was a proactive woman, not waiting to be told to do things, but using her God given initiative and creativity to do over and above what was required. She was not given to too much sleep nor slumbering. She was a focused woman from whom all around her benefitted. She did not wait for others to make things happen for her. She went ahead by the grace of God to make it happen herself. She was not given to fear and procrastination. She was a woman of great alertness and observation.
Her hard work brought her much gain and profit, so much so she was able to be a blessing to others including her husband, household, maidservants, the poor, and the needy.
Her hard work meant she could be generous. Her diligence meant she could provide employment to others.
Her hard work meant she herself could live a good life.
Her diligence meant she could relax in time to come.
Her hardworking nature meant she had no time to be idle, no time to slack around.
What a woman!!! Why not pray along with me, “Lord make me to be a virtuous woman like I read about in Proverbs 31”.