PROVERBS 31 WOMAN

Written by Pamela Thomas, Contributing Writer

1. WISDOM & PRODUCTIVITY

She has a reputation of being trustworthy, generous, kind and dependable. Her husband is respected because those in authority recognize his wife’s wisdom and productivity.

Proverbs 31:11-12 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life* Proverbs 31:11-12 Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. (NIV) Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.

I think we can all agree that qualities like productivity, dependability, trustworthiness and generosity don’t happen by accident. It’s clear this woman lives her life intentionally. Because she is responsible and prudent her husband is well-respected. Women who are married, this is one of the most important reasons to plan and live life intentionally. Your husband- and your family- will be well-regarded because of your good choices.

When my family and I lived in Wisconsin I was instrumental in starting a youth center in our hometown. Because of that, I came to be regarded as a city leader. When they were first meeting people, my hubby and 3 school-aged kiddos often heard, “Oh, your mom (wife) is the director of the youth center! OK… ” and they were judged favorably (hopefully!) by my actions and accomplishments until people learned more about their own individual lives.

2. SPENDING PLAN

She has a spending plan. She’s thrifty and makes her home comfortable and beautiful.

Proverbs 31:13-14 She shops around for the best yarns and cottons and enjoys knitting and sewing. She ’ s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. Proverbs 31:19 She ’ s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.

This is one of my favorite descriptions of this amazing woman… she brings back exotic surprises. In the past six months I like to think I have embodied this quality as we bought and furnished a new house. I stalked bargains on Offer Up and Facebook Marketplace. Every time I came back with a new treasure my husband would roll his eyes, and he and my son teased me that we’d have to hang rugs on the wall because I had bought so many. But I totally felt like I was bringing exotic surprises to our new house at bargain prices, and when we finally moved in, my family said over and over how beautiful and well-put-together everything was. They even told me how great the rugs looked- and we didn’t have to hang any of them on the wall! And with each of those rooms, I spent less than $100 to make them uniquely ours.

3. ORGANIZED

She plans meals and organizes her days.

Proverbs 31:15 She ’ s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

Let me just start by saying:

“No one needs to get up before dawn if you don’t have to!” I believe that this principle has less to do with alarm clocks and more to do with routine and dedicated planning time. If you ’re not a “ crack of dawn” person, figure out what time of the day you can set aside to plan ahead. Meals, activities, church events, meetings, etc. will all go so much more smoothly if you know they ’re coming and can see where they fit into your schedule in advance.

This is something that I’ll be working on in 2021. When I don’t take the time to plan ahead, we end up eating way too much takeout for dinner and feeling burnt out by Wednesday because I didn’t schedule time for rest. Yes- you heard me right! When you ’re taking the time to plan, schedule time for rest, for family time, for self-care and more. You are not a victim of your obligations! You are in control when you ’re planning and organizing. It’s when we fail to plan that we- and our families- find ourselves subjected to the tyranny of the urgent and a schedule that feels out of control!

I have one more important word for you before moving on: margin. When you plan, give yourself time! Schedule an extra 15 minutes of travel time so that you ’re not stressed out when traffic slows you down. Give yourself 30 minutes of down time between when you get home from work and when you have to start supper… Wherever you can, give yourself a few minutes to breathe. You ’ll find that you- and your entire family- are happier and your days will be more peaceful and productive.

4. BUILDS WEALTH

She plans, saves and invests her money to build wealth so she can provide for her family.

Proverbs 31:16 She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she ’ s put aside, plants a garden. (Or a vineyard in NIV. In Bible times vineyards were a sign of wealth). Proverbs 31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. NIV

So, I’m not saying go out and buy a vineyard. But, what’s your plan for the future? How will you put yourself or someone else through college? What are you doing with your money that ensures you and your loved ones will have a secure and assured future? Don’t be like the foolish servant that buried the funds his master gave him. (Matthew 25:14-30) Seek advice from wise financial advisors, go through Financial Peace University, start tithing if you ’re not already, put a little money into savings with each paycheck. Sow some seeds today that will yield fruit in the future.

5. HELPS OTHERS

Her wise financial planning means that she can help others in need.

Proverbs 31:20 She ’ s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. Proverbs 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. NIV

There’s no better feeling than sharing God’s provision with others. God told Abraham that he was blessed so that he could be a blessing. So are we. What are you doing to invest in God’s Kingdom? There are so many worthy ministries and missions, close to home and abroad. Seek the advice of your pastor or another spiritual leader you trust and start investing in work that will matter for eternity!

6. PLANS AHEAD

She doesn’t worry, because she has planned ahead and prepared for future events.

Proverbs 31: 21 She doesn ’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. Proverbs 31:25 She always faces tomorrow with a smile. Proverbs 31:25 She can laugh at the days to come. NIV

This one is pretty self-explanatory. The more we plan ahead and prepare for what’s coming, the easier, more peaceful and more joyful our days will be. I think we’ ve all experienced the feeling of not being prepared for something. Our blood pressure rises, our stomach churns, our muscles tense up, we find ourselves running around like the Tasmanian devil, trying to mitigate whatever disaster will ensue if we don’t have or didn’t do what’s expected of us. I don’t know one person who loves that feeling- I know I don’t!

The moral of the story… Sometimes self-care isn’t a bubble bath or an iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks. Sometimes self-care means taking time to plan ahead and prepare for what’s to come. It’s not as glamorous as a day at the spa, but it is much more pragmatic, and will have a lasting impact on you and those around you!

7. NURTURES

She manages her household by nurturing those around her and modeling smart planning and a strong work ethic.

Proverbs 31:27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household and keeps them all busy and productive. Proverbs 31:26-27 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household. NIV Proverbs 31:17-18 First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day

7. NURTURES

I believe this is the most important thing we do as women. Whether you are a mom, an auntie, tía, abuela, sister or mentor, women are created to be life-givers. This extends way beyond physical birth and has so much more to do with how we nurture those around us.

Nurturing isn’t just rocking a baby to sleep or giving it a bottle. Nurturing means love, discipline, instruction, encouragement and being a role model. Our children are watching us and want to be just like us when they grow up. Let’s be intentional with our own testimony, our planning, our work and what people see and hear from us. Let’s live a life where we can say with confidence to our little mini-me’s, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me--put it into practice. ” Philippians 4:9 NIV

So, there you have it- 7 attainable steps to Proverbs 31 productivity! I think it’s clear that productivity, trustworthiness, generosity, nurturing, investing and organizing do not happen by accident. The Bible calls us to exemplify these characteristics and says that a woman like that is worthy to be praised, to be called blessed by her family and to be honored for her work. To faithfully obey that mandate and win the prize, we MUST have a plan, follow the plan and work out the plan until we hear the final verdict found in Proverbs 31:29: Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!

*All scripture is from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted.

Pamela Thomas is the Chief Grants Officer and Senior Consultant at Firm Foundation Grant Writing and Consulting. She loves helping people make their dreams come true, by helping them start or manage their nonprofit or ministry. She also loves speaking at events, writing Bible study curriculum, and helping churches with strategic planning, policy and procedure, grant writing and more. She has 30 years of ministry experience 20 years of nonprofit management experience and has helped to start or grow more than 20 nonprofits, ministries, and small businesses.

EXTOL is a publication of Adoration Gatherings.

Adoration Gatherings is the women's ministry of Experience Church International.

Connecting the hearts of women to the heart of God.