This is it…
and throughout the book of proverbs over and over and over again men have been instructed to stay away from women…
the wrong types of women.
You know…
The wrong “types”…
The adulterous, skimpy clothed, sensual, and poisonously attractive types.
And when we see one, even though the desire to explore enters into one’s heart, the writer tells us to run away from her as fast as we can. For she will eat you alive and take you for all you’re worth.
But a good one…
One that adds value to your life…
a woman like that is hard to find.
That is extremely unfortunate.
So what is the make up of a woman that adds value to her husband, her children and everyone she comes into contact with?
And if you are a lady…
How do you know if you are a woman of quality?
Here are a few questions from our text that will answer that question for you…
As a woman are you trust worthy? Are you committed to your husband regardless of how you feel about him?
As a woman are you focused on helping your husband? Do you refrain from rolling your eyes at him in public? Do you refrain from speaking bad of him in front of others? Do you come to his side in support of him?
As a woman are you on top of things? Do you have a schedule, are you providing leadership in the home? Leadership that aids the family unit. That helps you and your husband go in the direction the Lord has lead your family to go in?
As a woman do you use wisdom when you purchase things? Do you make decisions that cause financial strain on your family or decisions that help keep it in balance?
Do you make sure your family is dressed right when they leave your home? Or are you more concerned with how you look?
Have you set your husband up to be respected by others? Or have you set him up to look like a failure because you have openly disclosed all his weaknesses?
Do you adorn your speech with wisdom and kindness? Or does negativity flow freely from your lips?
Have you given your children and your husband reason to call you blessed? By the way you do things, by the way you look after them, support them, care for them and help them?
Do you fear the Lord? If so you are to be praised.
As a man… if you are married to someone like Proverbs 31 describes, count your blessings for she is more valuable than jewels. Stay faithful to her, love her and appreciate her. For you have a rare find!
As a woman… you need to be all this proverb describes. To ignore this passage and run from it is to take your family with you into the pit of despair and destruction.
That’s what jumped out at me from the passage today…
What did you see?
phillipbrande.com 
I appreciate your observations. This proverb sets a high bar for women and I often feel overwhelmed by it. It is a sustainable lifestyle according to verse 30. If you live these values, even when you are older the most treasured part of yourself will still be intact even if it doesn’t look as great. Now that is “green” living.
Thank you Phillip and Bonnie! Lets take it a step further and ask ourselves how are we presenting this “green living” as Bonnie calls it to the next generation. Having been blessed with parents born in the 1930’s when roles of husband/wife and father/mother were much more clearly defined and our culture for the most part was reflected in the home, church, school and community….growing up in the 60’s/70’s was far different than today! How do we give our sons/daughters the proper training on the front end so they go into this world rock solid knowing their God and allowing HIM to lead them in their dating choices which will ultimately lead to their future mates? How do we teach them?…….well from experience it took a bad relationship to lead me to the foot of the cross where I completely relinguished my will/desires to my heavenly Father and HE laid out to me HIS prerequisites to courtship/dating/mate selection. We all know that Gods KINGDOM is the exact opposite of the worlds….so what do we do about it? The Lord let me know at the young age of 27 that His way is “you fall in love with the heart first and the rest comes later”. We all know to well the results of doing it the opposite of what God says by falling for the physical……for all the guys out there these verses are all about servanthood.. Issac knew Rebekkah was “the one” because she was found serving her Lord. Ladies-the longer you have single to prepare for this life of servanthood the easier your transition will be….for we learn that Jesus is our husband first. Then when God makes the selection and brings our future mate across our paths we are able to recognize HIM….because you will fall in love with HIS heart first! For those of us like myself who have been married 17 years or more we realize that except for the grace of God there go I and that LOVE IS A DECISION that stands firmly planted on our VOWS we took before GOD/Man. We are all works in process but when we are able to see a heart that desires to honor/please their LORD above all else….well that is a good/great thing to cherish!!
Cynthia,
Modeling, life transference, are the very best ways to pass on these values. Biblical teaching is a tool God uses to teach us, and He helps those who have a desire to live with integrity but have not had the privilege of good models; but it is so much easier to walk this path if we are following a good model.
Great comments…
So true Bonnie…leadership does have a way of trickling down both good and not so good. We are to lead by example vs. those that grew up under the “do as I say” not “do as I do”…this is why this generation desperately needs multi-generational leaders to speak into their young lives since so many of them do not have the privilege of grandparents/family members that are local. Our culture places so much emphasis on the physical appearance that WE as Christ followers have such an opportunity to be “thermostats” vs. “thermometers” ……maybe just maybe there could be a paradigm shift…… and I do not mean “almost amish” but truly emphasze the importance of inner beauty/character/humility/modesty…..don’t forget my background is fashion merchandising so one can still be in fashion and be a lady and men can take notice of that vs. the other……..just sayin!