Top 10 Takeaways from Proverbs 31 PART 2

 6. She has an entrepreneurial spirit

We see over and over again in Proverbs 31 that a Virtuous Woman has an entrepreneurial spirit. In verse 16 she considers a field and buys it, plants a vineyard, and then in verse 18 makes a profit. I love this illustration because we can see the mind of the virtuous woman working and get a little bit of insight as to how she thinks about things. We know from the passage that she is obviously skilled (she works with her hands, she plants a vineyard, she makes her own clothes and bed-coverings, etc.). Her abundant skills are not what stands out to me, though. I feel that even if this woman had no real tactical skills, her mind would still be turning about how she could make something of herself. She has a business mind about her, it doesn't matter what she is doing or how she is making profit for her family, she is always thinking one step ahead of how she can work and use what she has for good. We don't have to have a huge successful business or a huge successful career, but we should have a mind that is always exploring and always wanting to find ways to hustle or create good out of what we have. 

7. She is strong (in spirit and physically) takes care of appearance

The Virtuous Woman is a STRONG woman, period. We see in verse 17 and again in verse 25 that she dresses herself in strength and is clothed in strength. Strength is such an integral part of her character that it is literally like clothing to her. Not only is she strong in character and conduct, this woman is physically strong. Verse 17 says that she makes her arms strong. We don't have to be out here with Michelle Obama arms, but we do need to take care of ourselves physically. The virtuous woman has to have strong arms, she is out planting fields and working. Our bodies are our temple for God, and we should maintain it and be able to use it for His good. 

8. She is prepared

We already know that we should not fear for the future but that doesn't mean we should't prepare for it. Pretty much the entire passage of Proverbs 31 shows preparation and excellent execution of various thing by the Virtuous Woman. Verse 18 says that, "Her lamp does not go out by night". I love this snippet of chapter 31 because if combined with verse 15 ("she rises while it is yet night"), it appears that the Virtuous Woman never sleeps at all! That is taken quite literally though, and to me, the fact that her lamp does not go out by night shows how prepared she is for whatever may come. Remember the Parable of the Ten Virgins? Five of the Virgins brought enough oil for their lamps to last the wait. That is what verse 18 in Proverbs 31 speaks to me. The Virtuous Woman is always prepared, her lamp has enough oil to last the entire night and thensome for when she rises and starts her day. She is ready for whatever meets her at whatever hour. I can only hope someday achieve the organized and prepared manner of this woman!

9. She is generous

In other areas of the Bible we are told over and over again to give and to be generous. We are given so many examples of the Christ-like generosity we ought to have, and the Virtuous Woman is yet another. Not only in verse 15 does she humble herself before her maidservants by serving them food, further down in verse 20 she "opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy". She acts with a true servant's heart to help and give to those in need. Though she is successful and well to do, she doesn't boast her accomplishments or have a proud attitude. The Virtuous Woman humbly gives and shows generosity to all. What a fantastic example of the way we should be!

10. She is kind and wise

Do you remember the old saying, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? I feel like as I get older I revert to this concept more and more, especially in the era of Facebook arguments. Proverbs 31 provides a great example of not only acting in kindness, but a gentle reminder of how a Virtuous Woman opens her mouth with wisdom. Verse 26 also says that "the teaching of kindness is on her tongue". Not only has she displayed kindness to her maidservants, her family, and others she has been generous to; she goes further than those acts of kindness and teaches it. The Virtuous Woman thinks before she speaks and uses wisdom and kindness in practice as well as teaching. There is no air of hypocrisy here, she truly practices what she preaches. 

11. (because I couldn't narrow down my favorites) She is respected, blessed, and praised

I challenge you!

BONUS