Today’s Passage: “She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.” Proverbs 31:16-17
Today’s lesson from The Virtuous Woman focuses on our responsibility to be earnest and diligent. This study will benefit me personally because I often do not complete a good work that I have begun. I plan to further study procrastination in a future study. At this time, we will focus on the Christian woman’s duty to be earnest and diligent as modeled by the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31.
The definition of “earnest” according to Merriam-Webster is a) a serious and intent mental state or b) a considerable or impressive degree or amount. Solomon taught, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might...” Ecclesiastes 9:10. Whether we are working inside or outside of the home (or both), we are commanded to work earnestly to fulfill our obligations. This virtue grows more and more difficult as the distractions around us increase. Because of this, I periodically introduce new ideas into my life to help me combat these constant interferences. Some examples are listed below. Please note that this is not a list of what I accomplish each day but is a list of goals and ideals. In no way do I perfectly complete all of these things every day and am always in need of repentance for allowing myself to be distracted from my tasks. I can assure you, I need this study as much as or more than you.
1. Keeping a task list complete with a box to check off each thing that I have accomplished that day
2. Working up a schedule by 15 minute intervals detailing my responsibilities for the day
Turning off the TV and radio during the day. I find these to be major distractions because I always hear snippets of interesting news that I want to know more about. At the close of the day, did I really need to know what every Saints player felt about the pre-season game they just played? Did it improve my life to know that there were a large number of horribly violent acts committed in the United States today and to hear every detail?
3. Saving a prayer request spreadsheet on my PC so that it is easy to update and reprint and will ensure I don’t forget anyone. It’s a great way to see how God answers prayer as various people heal or situations are resolved.
4. Checking off the prayer requests, new members and other important items in our weekly church bulletin as I’ve sent a card or called.
5. Unplugging the Internet connection to my PC or laptop in order to ensure I don’t allow myself to wander on a different tangent as I research a devotional topic.
6. Keeping a spreadsheet of medical bills and items our family is responsible for paying as well as the amount we have decided to give to God to ensure we are frugal, productive and ethical in our payment agreements.
7. Striving to spend as much time as I can with God in study and with my family.
8. Studying to keep foremost on my mind the reason I am here and my duty to my fellow man.
The strength described in Proverbs 31 is related to earnestness. It is the perseverance and diligence with which we face our tasks. We are to work hard in the Lord and not “grow weary” (Revelation 2:3). Also, we read in Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Our reward is worth any amount of hard work we put forth on this earth.
There are many Scriptures regarding Christians’ duty to work earnestly and diligently in the Lord. Below are a few examples.
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Proverbs 27:23
“Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Proverbs 10:4
“If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.” Ecclesiastes 10:18
"We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:12
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God”. Titus 2:3-5
“Besides, they (younger widows) get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander." I Timothy 5:13-14
"For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
Being busy without regard to being busy in the work of the Lord: “ ‘You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?’ declares the LORD Almighty. ‘Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.’” Haggai 1:9
“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Philemon 1:6
May this study remind us to be diligent, hard working and always looking forward to our sweet haven of rest. If we are willing to work earnestly in God’s kingdom in this life, we will receive the rest that He has promised in the next life.
God bless you for studying with me!
