Proverbs 31:13-16

She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food or her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

The woman who fears God in not just spiritual. She is also very practical. If we limit our understanding of the Proverbs woman to her tasks we lose sight of the character behind her endeavors. The call for 21st century Christian wives is not to try to duplicate her tasks. Instead we are to try to appreciate the connection of her heart to the daily out workings of loving her family.

Her faith produced great works.

The modern day equivalent of this Proverbs agriculturally focused woman might be the mini-van taxi mom who is literally managing a household. Spend a week with a young mother and watch how incredibly industrious she is! She seems to be keenly aware of the needs of those around her and is able to do much with seemingly little resources.

In a real sense this Proverbs woman is also functioning as a modern day working mother. “She considers a field and buys it…” She, too, wants to provide for her family and find ways to creatively contribute and not just “sit at home.” There is too much to be done and important lives to watch over physically and spiritually.

When does she stop to breathe, you might ask. Is she also a modern-day workaholic who will soon crash and burn? Again, let us beware of determining value primarily by activity. In this case it is more about quality than quantity. A woman whose heart is right with God through Christ will be a greater blessing practically than one who is trapped on a treadmill of activity.

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Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By Jerry McFarland. © 2024 Tenth Presbyterian Church. Website: tenth.org