Proverbs 31:18

AMP: She tastes and sees that her gain from work (with and for God) is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night (of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust).

CEV: She knows when to buy or sell and she stays busy until late at night.

MSG: She senses the worth of her work, and is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. 

     This virtuous woman could sense the worth of her work, and was wise enough to know that on those days when she was especially energetic, she should keep working, never in a hurry to stop her work.  I would liken it to those times of the month when I am literally hit with a 'cleaning bug,' and I feel motivated to work extra hard on the house and other chores. 

     The CEV version made me think of the many times when I have looked at the grocery ads, and I was able to quickly determine if now was the time to buy meat.  

     On the practical side of knowing when to sell, I have learned that it's best to have a garage sale early in the season.  People are eager to get out and go to garage sales, meaning that you stand a much better chance of selling your 'junk,' and turning it into someone else's treasures!

     When many of us become mothers, we likely traded in a paycheck for a job as a stay-at-home mom, working much longer hours, but with no paycheck at the end of the week.  We can all testify to having traded many nights of sleep in for staying awake with a sick child.  Motherhood is one of those jobs that forces us to trade our desires, our plans, and our wants in order to take care of someone else's needs. 

     Sometimes we will find that our trading is profitable in unsurpassed ways.  Yet, there are other times when we feel like we've traded ourselves out, and gotten the short end of the deal.  While we remember to check on other people throughout the day, we often find that we forget to check ourselves!  If we do try to take some time for ourselves, we will hear someone calling our name, the phone will ring, or the doorbell will ring!     

     It reminds me of the parable of the ten virgins.  Five of them made were wise, making sure that they kept some of the oil for themselves.  They knew that a crisis would eventually come, and they were wise enough to make sure that they had some reserve oil on hand for that moment.  We pour out our oil constantly, whether it's to our husband, our children, our extended family, our church, public school, homeschool, or even community activities.  Every day we are 'filling someone else's lamp' with oil.  While there's nothing wrong with doing that, if we aren't careful, we find ourselves 'tapped out' or 'running on empty.' 

     A few months ago, I had neglected to take the car in for an oil change.  The light came on that says 'Check oil soon.'  We don't have a light that flashes for us to let us know when the oil in our lamp is low, but a good indication of it is our attitude.  If we are tired, crabby, easily angered, and stressed over the smallest detail, it's a good indication that our spiritual oil needs to be changed.  How much oil is in our lamp?  If we aren't careful, we will soon discover that we can't even muster enough strength to care for ourselves, let alone anyone else.  We're so tired that our spirit is weak.  That will leave us in a vulnerable state where we will react to situations in a carnal nature, rather than responding in a godly fashion. We've left ourselves without the oil for our lamp.

     In the Amp. version of this verse, we see that this virtuous woman didn't allow her lamp to burn out.  How do we keep our lamps from burning out?  For starters, we MUST take time for ourselves, getting alone with the Lord.  So many times, we are plagued with guilt for feeling that we need time to ourselves.  Don't be trapped by this lie of the enemy!  Even Jesus needed time alone.  If the Son of God needed those quiet moments, how can we possibly feel that we can skip those times and have any reserve of oil in our lamps?  IF we take time daily to get alone with the Father, He will be faithful to help the 'input' of oil to exceed the 'output.'  If we keep our spiritual lamp burning bright, even in the midst of any trouble, sorrow, fears, or doubts, the light that is burning within us will sustain us, even in the darkest, loneliest hours of the night. 

     Have you checked your oil lately?

© 2004, Stacy R. Miller

Proverbs 31:19

AMP: She lays her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff.

CEV: She spins her own cloth.

MSG: She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.

     This verse is referring to doing some very tedious, mundane work.  I doubt that it was a job which one would consider enjoyable.  I would liken it to chopping vegetables or cutting the fat off of several different packages of meat before freezing it for later use.  Another thing I find very tedious is hemming garments.  Almost every shirt for my daughter requires cutting off several inches of the sleeves, then re-hemming them.  It's never an enjoyable task, and becomes very tedious after only a couple of shirts, BUT when I get them all done, I can see that my work is valuable.  I can finally see the end result - a daughter who is dressed nicely, in clothes that fit her well.

      We are all called to do the tedious, mundane work. We all do things which nobody notices.  We all clean the house, only to find that a very short time later, it needs to be done again.  Even so, this woman gives a clear picture that we are to be diligent in the area of 'homemaking,' even if no one but Jesus takes notice of our labors.

© 2004, Stacy R. Miller

Proverbs 31:20

MSG: She is quick to assist anyone in need, reaching out to help the poor.

CEV: And she helps the poor and the needy.

AMP: She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy (whether in body, mind. or spirit).

     This verse shows us the importance of helping those in need.  So many times, we may find it easier to simply write a check and send it in the mail.  However, the Amplified Version shows us that sending a check isn't a cure-all for every 'needy' person or every situation.  Sometimes we need to be 'Jesus with skin on,' reaching out to do something more than just writing a check.

     We can show our children by example how to minister to those who are needy in mind or spirit by taking them with us as we search for a card to send someone who is going through a trial.  Another way to model a good example is by picking up the phone to call the person, and praying with them over the phone.  It can even be modeled by simply buying some chocolate candy and giving it to the one whose mind or spirit may be 'needy.'   

     One way that I've taught Rachel to minister to others is by fixing food when there has been a death in the family.  We've talked about why this is such a great ministry to the person during this time of grief.  I've also talked to her about how I send cards to people on special anniversary dates or birthdays, explaining that it will make them feel better to know that someone else remembered their loved one on this special day.

     For the one who is needy in body, we can fix a meal for them, or if we don't want to do a complete meal, we can at least bake some bread or cookies for them.  For one who is recovering from major surgery, she may do well to get a meal fixed, but may not have the energy to make a dessert.  Some 'comfort' food may be a real blessing to her family.

     Another thing we can to for those who are needy in body is to clean their house for them.  When a friend of mine had twins, I made it a habit to dust her furniture when I'd go to visit her.  She was obviously 'needy' during those early months of raising twins.  It blessed me to be able to help her.

     For several years, we have made it a tradition to do up a shoe box, filled with gifts, to send to Samaritan's Purse, who sends them to a needy child.  This is a relatively inexpensive way to do something for a needy child, and also include your children in the process.  Rachel really enjoys being able to pick out which gifts.  Most recently, we decided to 'adopt' a family through our church.  I can't begin to tell you how much fun it was to go shopping for them.  It was even better when we got to see them open their gifts!  It's a memory that we will cherish for years.

     I know one lady whose three children wanted to each do a shoe box of their own.  Being that it could get quite costly to do three boxes, she suggested that instead of buying the normal number of gifts for the children, they would get less for Christmas, allowing Mom the money needed to buy for three needy children.  This was quite a sacrifice for her children because they each only get three presents for Christmas. By sacrificing, they were now only getting two gifts each, but they were willing to give so another could be blessed.

     Rachel and I would like to volunteer to serve a meal at the Rescue Mission, which helps homeless people.  Being that she is a little young for that, we are holding off until she is a little more mature, but we have both been discussing this idea for quite some time.  Being that my husband and I have made a tradition to spend Christmas Day at home, when Rachel and I do get a chance to serve meals, we will have to work it out to be on a different day, so that we are able to honor Dean's wishes for us to all be home on Christmas Day, but at the same time, allowing us to minister to those who are less fortunate than us.

     We have seen many times throughout Proverbs 31 how this dear lady was very creative in her daily tasks.  How can you be creative in ministering to someone this week?

© 2004, Stacy R. Miller

Proverbs 31:21 

AMP: She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.

CEV: Her family has warm clothing, and so she doesn't worry when it snows.

MSG: She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

     Notice the word 'doubly' in the Amplified Version.  This could refer to covering their physical bodies with nice, warm clothing, as well as covering them with her prayers.  The scarlet could represent how she pleads the blood of Christ over them, to protect them from the snare of the enemy.  It's similar to the story we find in Josh. 2 about the scarlet cord.  As long as Rahab hung her scarlet cord in the window, she and her household would be protected.

     It's clear that this lady has taken inventory of what kind of clothing her family needs, whether physical clothing, or 'clothing' that she must provide through her intercession.  As a careful manager of her home, she is ever watchful to notice when someone is in need of an extra portion of intercession to help them through life's battles.  As she does the tedious job of laundry, she takes time to notice when some garments need to be replaced or mended.  Once she saw a need, she was eager to get busy and complete the task, not giving in to procrastination.  I can even picture this dear lady praying for her loved ones, even as she handles each piece of their clothing.

      As mothers, we can be so overwhelmed with the many duties that lie before us.  We must be careful to take the time to notice when our loved ones are in special need of our intercession.  It's so easy to say, "I'll pray for them later."  In this most important area, we must not give in to procrastination, but be willing to adjust our schedules to do a 'higher duty' -- the duty of getting on our knees before our Maker, and interceding for those God has given to us.

     Does your family need some 'scarlet covering' through your prayers?

© 2003, Stacy R. Miller

Proverbs 31:22

CEV: She does her own sewing and everything she wears is beautiful.

MSG: She makes her own clothing and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

AMP: She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.  Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple (such as that of which the clothing the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made).

     I have to admit, I will never fit this verse, as far as sewing goes!  Sewing is not something I enjoy, although I do like to crochet afghans.  To help those of you who may be plagued with guilt over not sewing your own clothing, keep in mind that during the time this woman lived, sewing was something done by most women.  Times and cultures have changed drastically since then.  Not to mention, it can get very costly to sew.  I've heard many women say that you are better off financially if you watch the clearance racks, shop at resale shops, or garage sales.

     In looking at the CEV verse, it mentions that everything she wears is beautiful.  The world's standard of 'beautiful' is anything that looks voluptuous, showing off our bosom, our legs, or fitting tightly across our backside.  We will see clearly in the scriptures today that our virtuous woman could not have possibly dressed in this manner.

     In Is. 61:10, it mentions how the Lord has clothed us with garments of salvation, covering us with a robe of righteousness, as a bride adorns herself with jewels.  What jewels?  Could this be talking, in a spiritual sense, of clothing ourselves with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?  (Gal. 5:22)  In looking at the other verses which describe the Proverbs 31 lady, we see that she fit these characteristics.

     In I Pet. 3:3-4, Peter tells us that our beauty shouldn't come from outward adornment, like wearing expensive jewelry or costly clothing.  Rather, our beauty should be that which comes from a gentle and quiet spirit.  This kind of beauty is such that it isn't easily disturbed by circumstances, giving in to whining, moaning, yelling, or fits of rage.  It is also of such that it doesn't allow that inner tranquility to be easily disturbed by the comments of others, feeling that we must lash out in defense of ourselves when someone else judges us unjustly.

     I can picture this lady 'stitching' spiritual garments into place, teaching herself to walk daily in the beauty which God desires for His daughters.  I can picture her teaching these truths to her children with her words and actions, since this is a very important truth for them to learn.  We can learn much from her example.  Are we taking the time to teach our children to dress modestly, being more concerned about our inner beauty, rather than being sucked into Hollywood's version of beauty?  Are we teaching our sons that girls who dress immodestly are girls which they should avoid like the plague?  Our former pastor used to tell us to 'pick our battles.'  THIS battle is one worth fighting!

     The Amplified version mentions the color purple, which represents royalty, or the best.  Are we dressing our family in the best, or only in what will get us by?  I'm not referring to spending lots of money on clothing.  For our family, the 'best' is often the best value for our dollar.  My daughter always looks like I've spent a fortune on her clothing, but I haven't.  For instance, one year, she had a fall outfit that cost $75 originally, but my mother bought it for $5.00.  It obviously looked like it cost quite a bit, but it didn't cost me a penny!

     Are you clothing your family in the best?  Are you clothing them spiritually with garments of righteousness through Biblical teachings?

© 2004, Stacy R. Miller

AMP: Her husband is known in the city's gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

CEV: Her husband is a well-known and respected leader in the city.

MSG: Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. 

     Proverbs 12:4 tells us that a virtuous wife is a crowning joy to her husband.  A king who wears his crown is easy to spot because he stands out in a crowd due to the brilliance of the jewels in his crown.  So it is with a man who has a virtuous wife.  That is why he makes her a focal point in his life.  He lifts her as one lifts a crown to put it on.  Why does he do this?  She does him good (v. 12) and he can fully trust her (v. 11).  She's not spiteful or a nag (v. 12).  She enriches the lives of her loved ones by being mindful of their needs. (v. 14-15)  She's able to think for herself, not seeing submission to her husband as being a doormat. (v. 16) 

     Another reason she is a focal point in his life is because she doesn't live by her emotions, falling apart the instant he walks in the door because of how hard her day has been. (v. 16) She also uses the mind God has given her to benefit her family, therefore, doing him good once again (v. 12).  He is also touched by her compassion for other people. (v. 20)

     In spite of how busy she has been during the day, she still has time and energy for her husband at the end of the day.  (v. 18) She makes home a refuge for him. (v. 22) She keeps his clothes washed, dried, ironed, and helps him to look neat. (v. 21)

     She blesses her husband because she is also a great conversationalist; however, she knows when he needs silence. (v. 26) The message Bible says in verse 27 that she keeps her eye on everyone in the household.  I would venture to say that this woman flirts with her husband while she is keeping her eye on him.

     Do you need to do some flirting?

© 2004, Stacy R. Miller 

Proverbs 31:24 

MSG: She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to dress shops.

CEV: She makes clothes to sell to the shop owners.

AMP: She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles (or sashes that free one up for service).

     Have you ever met a woman who never felt that she could be in 'service' for the Lord?  She may be a woman who is bound by her past mistakes.  She may need a godly woman who can mentor her, helping her to find a 'sash' that will free her up for service.  Are you willing to be available to help another lady find that 'sash' which can bring freedom to her?

     Another way of viewing this text is to see that this woman is an enterprising woman.  She has her own business to run, yet it's obvious from previous verses that she doesn't neglect her Lord, her family, or her household duties in pursuing a career.  She has her priorities in order.

     It is also implied here that her garments are of fine quality.  She isn't one who is given to being lazy in making her garments, causing them to look shabby.  Her items are so nice that they are sought by the merchants.  She has earned quite a reputation for herself by making such fine quality merchandise.  The merchants know that they can trust her to make things which will last, giving them great value for their money.

     Do you need help with your 'sash,' or are you able to help someone else with theirs?

© 2004, Stacy R. Miller

Proverbs 31:28-29

CEV: Her children praise her, and with great pride her husband says, "There are many good women, but you are the best."
MSG: Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
AMP: Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied), and her husband boasts of and praises her, saying, "Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well (with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness), but you excel them all."

     This woman has gained the respect of those who matter most -- her husband and her children. Her words and her actions, which were godly in nature, have earned her that respect. (Prov. 11:16)

     How many times have you seen a woman who has worked hard, trying to earn the praise of men, while neglecting her husband and her children? Some have fallen into the trap of wanting to 'have it all' -- the nice house, fancy car, designer clothes, fine jewels, only to find that they 'lose it all.' Her husband is disgusted with her selfish pursuits and her constant nagging for more 'things.' The children are so unruly that mom has no control over them. She gets no respect from them because she has failed to be busy at home, carefully managing the household. She hasn't kept her lamp filled with fresh oil, enabling her to have something worthwhile to speak to her family. Nor has she allowed herself the blessedness that comes from trying to do her husband good, and not harm. She's worked vigorously, but for all of the wrong things. While her trading may have seemed profitable for a very short season, she now finds herself disillusioned and feeling empty. She may receive many compliments and praises from others regarding her beautiful home, fancy car, nice clothing, etc., only to discover that her husband and children have aren't singing her praises. In fact, they hardly talk to her because she has failed to make them a priority in her life. Because of her selfish pursuits, she has missed out on hearing praise coming from those who should matter the most -- her husband and her children.

     Whose applause do you desire?
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller

Proverbs 31:30-31

AMP: Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain (because it is not lasting), but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates of the city.

CEV: Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised.  Show her respect -- praise her in public for what she has done.

MSG: Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.  The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.  Give her everything she deserves!  Festoon her with praises!

     We have studied many verses regarding this dear lady, and we find that only one verse is dedicated to talking to the outer beauty of women.  That is one verse out of twenty two verses.  One dear sister gave me a good way to put this into perspective.  There are 24 hours in a day, so we should only be spending one of those hours in concentrated effort to exercise, shower, do our hair, and our make-up.  This gives us a better perspective regarding the status of outward beauty verses the inward beauty.

     Our Proverbs 31 lady has learned the value of having that unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.  She knows that her outer beauty will fade.  She knew that she would develop wrinkles, and have added pounds due to bearing many children, not to mention from the transition of going through menopause.  She knew that gray would eventually take over as her primary hair color.  She was wise enough to invest in unfading beauty, rather than the beauty which is fleeting.

     This is a woman who is well-balanced.  She has made God her very top priority.  Putting Christ first has enabled her to get all of the other things in life in the right order.  All of the good that is in her is a result of the Christ who dwells in her heart.

© 2004, Stacy R. Miller