This week, our study of Proverbs 31 brings us to:
ז 16 She considers a field, then buys it,
and from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
ח 17 She gathers her strength around her
and throws herself into her work.
ט 18 She sees that her business affairs go well;
her lamp stays lit at night.
and from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
ח 17 She gathers her strength around her
and throws herself into her work.
ט 18 She sees that her business affairs go well;
her lamp stays lit at night.
Can you see the industriousness of this woman? She scouts out a good piece of property and buys it. She has money, which she uses to plant a vineyard. Oh, but look, she does even more:
י 19 She puts her hands to the staff with the flax;
her fingers hold the spinning rod.
כ 20 She reaches out to embrace the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
her fingers hold the spinning rod.
כ 20 She reaches out to embrace the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
ל 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
since all of them are doubly clothed.
מ 22 She makes her own quilts;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
since all of them are doubly clothed.
מ 22 She makes her own quilts;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
ס 24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchants with sashes.
she supplies the merchants with sashes.
She not only spins yarn, and makes the fabric, but makes clothing and items for her home. and then sells her sewing creations. What a business woman!
Also, note in verse twenty, that she helps the poor with her sewing arts. She's not just thinking of herself and her family, but also of others' needs.
I love that she has home-based ways to make money for her family, don't you? This passage was my inspiration many years ago for finding ways to make money for the extras my children needed when they were at home. I had quite an array of home-based businesses during my twenty-seven years as a stay-at-home mom:
- arts and crafts which I sold at craft fairs
- canvas painting on commission
- secretarial work
- house cleaning
- bread baking
- Mary Kay cosmetics sales (I even earned a free car as a sales director)
I tell this to encourage young women, as well as the more mature, that you can find a way to have home-based businesses. It can really help the budget and also gives an outlet for creativity. There are so many resources for home-based businesses via the internet today, such as Etsy, Amazon, E-bay, and Facebook. I'm starting to want to begin another business just thinking about it all!
I love verse eighteen, that says, "her lamp doesn't go out at night". This woman really is a hard worker, and she doesn't waste a minute of her day. I'm inspired by her example, aren't you?
I'm sharing this post with:
Thought Provoking Thursday
Hearts for Home
Favorite Things
I'm sharing this post with:
Let's Get Social Sunday
A Wise Woman BuildsThought Provoking Thursday
Hearts for Home
Favorite Things
Proverbs 31 is such a challenge to women, it's important to remember it's discussing the whole life of the woman, not just one season. She did so much over different seasons of her life. Thank you for sharing your insights on this challenging section of scripture.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for linking up with Cozy Reading Spot!
Marissa
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Marissa.
ReplyDeleteThis model is both inspiring and daunting, but it can be done by any woman who trusts G-d for His power to acheive it. I believe even young mothers can do this. It is all about setting priorities.
Priorities for me are these:
1. Time alone with Hashem to start my day, praying, reading and meditating on Scripture
2. health - mental, spiritual and physical
3. relationship with my husband
4. home duties
5. extended family: mother, adult children & grandchildren
6. synagogue duties
7. writing ministry
When I keep these in mind, my day/week/year goes well. If I don't, it goes downhill and I become frustrated.
My husband tells me I am a Proverbs 31 woman, which is the greatest compliment he can give me. All the glory goes to Hashem.