9 Homemaking Lessons from the Proverbs 31 Woman
The Proverbs 31 woman is one of the Bible's most celebrated female characters. She is strong, capable, and upright. Her example is a testament to what is possible with God's goodness, guidance, and provision. She is an excellent role model for Christian homemakers, and her example can inspire and encourage us as wives, mothers, and homemakers.
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An important clarification
I've heard some women say they don't want to hear about the Proverbs 31 woman because they feel like she set an impossibly high standard. Others feel that her accomplishments make them feel like complete failures or that they're not doing enough. But the more I read about the Proverbs 31 woman, the more I realize this:
Proverbs 31 exists to give us a Biblical standard for the keeping and management of a Christ-centered home. It doesn't exist to make us feel ashamed or incapable, but to redeem us from the endless doubts and guilt Satan uses to distract us from God's potential for us, our marriages, our homes, our motherhood journeys, and our witness. God's Word is redemptive and never destructive.
Today, I pray that we don't fall into Satan's lies for homemakers. He will do whatever it takes to weaken every homemaker's influence by weakening her resolve to serve her family well and by destroying her reverence for the Word of God.
Before I share the homemaking lessons we can learn from the Proverbs 31 woman, I must first clarify that Proverbs 31 showcases the highlights of a woman's entire life. The details shared in the chapter didn't all happen in a single day. It gives us a glimpse at what women are capable of accomplishing throughout their lifetime.
As Christian homemakers, we can learn countless life and homemaking lessons from her. In this blog post, we will discuss 9 of them! But first, who is the Proverbs 31 woman?
Who is the Proverbs 31 woman?
The Proverbs 31 woman is the description of a virtuous woman from ancient times, but the same qualities would be admired in any woman from any time or place. In Proverbs 31, she is praised for her many excellent qualities. She was a woman of strength and dignity, who was respected by many. She was also an active missionary in her home and community.
The Proverbs 31 woman was an excellent role model for homemakers. There are many homemaking lessons we can learn from her about being wives, homemakers, and mothers. If you are a homemaker, there are many lessons you can learn from her. Let's discuss 9 of them below!
9 Homemaking Lessons from the Proverbs 31 Woman:
1. She was a woman of God first and foremost.
She loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. This was because she was living a life that was pleasing to Him. The Proverbs 31 woman taught us that true beauty comes from our love of God. It is not about clothes or hairstyles; it is about character. When homemakers love God first and foremost, others will take notice and praise Him, as well!'
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." - Proverbs 31:30
2. She accomplished her tasks with joyful intention
She was proactive in accomplishing her day-to-day tasks. She was careful to use all her time wisely so that none was wasted. She got up while it was still dark and worked hard to prepare meals for her household. She made sure they have everything they needed for the day.
She went out to work in her field, made meals, took care of her family, and sewed clothes for them. We can learn from her that no task is too small or insignificant to do with excellence. Every task, whether it be cooking dinner, mending clothes, or doing the laundry, is an opportunity to glorify God with our efforts.
Hard work is not only about doing things we don't necessarily want to do. It is also about putting forth our best effort in everything we do, whether we enjoy it or not. When we view our work as an opportunity to serve God and others, it will become much more enjoyable!
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31
3. She managed her finances well
Many people ruin their finances by buying things they can't afford. She knew the value of money and made her money work for her family by being wise in her spending. She bought only what was needed and didn't waste money on frivolous things. She also saved up so that she could take care of her family in times of need.
She was a good steward of her resources. By practicing self-control, self-denial, and wise stewardship, she prepared for whatever life threw her way. We can learn from her to be wise with our money and not let our spending get out of control.
"He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live." - Proverbs 15:27
4. She had a heart for others
The Proverbs 31 woman is often held up as the ideal of womanhood, and it's easy to see why. She was a giver, always reaching out to help the poor and needy. She was always willing to lend a helping hand. She was also incredibly thoughtful, taking the time to consider what others needed and then meeting those needs without expecting anything in return. In doing so, she set an empowering example for all women.
We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. We should reach out to those who are less fortunate than us and do what we can to help them in their time of need. We should also stand up for those who cannot defend themselves, regardless of how unpopular it may be. We all have the power to make a difference in the lives of others, and the Proverbs 31 woman reminds us that we should use that power to make the world a better place.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself." - Luke 10:27
5. She possessed the grit to bear disappointments
In today's world, it's easy to give up when things don't go our way. We expect instant gratification and get discouraged when we don't see results immediately. The Proverbs 31 woman didn't have that luxury. She had to be strong in the face of adversity and persevere even when she was disappointed. With God's help, she was able to overcome difficulties and remain a force for good in her circle of influence.
What an example for us all! When we face trials, let us remember the Proverbs 31 woman and pray for the grit to persevere. God will help us overcome our challenges if we trust Him and don't give up.
"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” - Deuteronomy 31:8
6. She managed her home as unto the Lord
The Proverbs 31 woman made mistakes, just like all of us. But what sets her apart is her willingness to learn from her mistakes and to continue managing her home as unto the Lord. As a result, the Proverbs 31 woman served as an excellent role model for all women who seek to manage their homes effectively.
She was not the sort of person who looked for praise or thanks. Instead, she quietly went about her business, knowing that her good works would speak for themselves. In this way, she set an example for us all of what it means to be a woman of strength, humility, and character.
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." - Colossians 3:23-24
7. She stayed busy at home
She was often held up as the ideal of womanhood, and it's not hard to see why. She was an excellent homemaker, a loving wife, a devoted mother, and a woman of faith. One of the things that made her so admirable was her use of time. She didn't waste her time on idle pursuits or gossip; instead, she used it wisely. Every moment was an opportunity to further her family's well-being. Whether she was cooking a nutritious meal, preparing her home for winter, or teaching her children the value of hard work, she always made the most of her time.
"In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty." - Proverbs 14:23
8. She proactively prepared for the future
She was the epitome of preparedness. She thought about the future and took steps to ensure her family would be taken care of, come what may. She managed her home well, keeping everything in order and making sure there was always enough food, clothing, and supplies on hand. She knew that winter was coming, so she got warm clothes and blankets ready for her family. She was prepared for anything that might happen during the year.
When winter came, she was ready, having prepared her home and herself for the cold months ahead. Her example shows us that it pays to be proactive and prepared for whatever life throws our way. With a little planning and effort, we can all be like the Proverbs 31 woman, ready and able to weather any storm.
"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." - Proverbs 31:21-22
9. She got a lot of work done early in the morning
Anyone who has ever tried to wake up early knows that it is not always an easy feat. Whether you are trying to squeeze in a workout before your kids wake up or you are trying to get a head start on your workday, getting out of bed before the sun is up is no small task. However, there are many benefits to waking up early, especially when it comes to productivity. When you wake up early, you have the chance to get a jumpstart on your day and tackle tasks that you may not have time for later on.
Early mornings are often quieter and more peaceful than the rest of the day, making it the perfect time to get chores done or enjoy some uninterrupted alone time. Of course, waking up early is not easy for everyone, but if you find that you are able to make it work for your schedule, you may be surprised by how much you can accomplish before the sun comes up.
"She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants." - Proverbs 31:15
Why is it important that we know her story?
The passage about the excellent wife in Proverbs 31 was not originally told to a woman. They were words of counsel from a mom to her son on finding an excellent wife. The chapter also teaches future generations what it means to be an excellent wife who fears the Lord. God gave us this Biblical model so we can lead by example and show our daughters how to serve the Lord joyfully in our homes. This also shows our sons what qualities to look for and pray for in a future spouse.
Conclusion
The Proverbs 31 woman is a role model for Christian homemakers. She was hardworking, devoted, and diligent. She feared the Lord and puts Him first in her life. She gave glory to God for everything. We can learn a lot from her example and should strive to emulate her godly qualities in our own lives. Her example as an excellent wife doesn't exist to cause us to resent impossible standards, but rather shows us what is possible with God!
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