INTRODUCTION:
A. Many years ago the Christian Digest carried this little story of a busy mother.
1. A busy mother was one day regretting that she could do so little Christian work. "I shall have only a life of housework to show at last," she said rather sadly to a friend. "Why mother," exclaimed her little daughter, who over heard the words, "all we children will stand up and tell all you’ve done for us - everything! I shouldn’t suppose they’d want anything better than good mothers up in heaven!"
And the friend answered: "The child is right. Earth will send to heaven no better saints than true Christian mothers who have done their best.
2. Praise God for MOTHERS!
B. Many a man has thought about mother’s
1. Aristotle said, "If women be good the half of common wealth may be happy where they are."
2. Napoleon said, "Let France have good mothers and she will have good sons."
3. Abraham Lincoln wrote, "All that I am and hope to be I owe to my angel mother."
4. Henry Ward Beacher commented, "The memory of my sainted mother is the brightest recollection of my early years."
5. I have said, "Mom, I love you!"
6. Praise God for MOTHERS!
C. Our Scripture passage for this morning is a familiar one, but OH! the statement it makes about a woman who has a love for God and family. It is found in Prov 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. {11} The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. {12} She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. {13} She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. {14} She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. {15} She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. {16} She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. {17} She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. {18} She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. {19} She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. {20} She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. {21} She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. {22} She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. {23} Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. {24} She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. {25} Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. {26} She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. {27} She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. {28} Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. {29} Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. {30} Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. {31} Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
- Praise God for MOTHERS!
D. This Proverb is just packed full of good things to say about a Virtuous woman - a great wife and wonderful mother. We are going to cover three areas
1. But first we need to CONSIDER HER WORTH
2. Prov 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman?
a. It would seem the type of woman we are about to look at is a rarity - not real common
b. Yet many of us have found one - that should show us how the Lord watches out for us
3. Notice also it says, for her price is far above rubies. Prov 31:10
a. I know nothing that could buy my mother - she gave all she had to see me raised properly, receive an education, have love, and things
b. She continually put my sisters and I above her own self and unselfishly loved us even when we were unlovable
- And though it may be hard to believe there was a time when I was not very lovable
c. There is nothing, including rubies, that can match her worth!
4. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Prov 31:10
a. If you have found one, whether she be your mother, your wife or a friend
b. You need to praise God for her right now!
c. Would anyone like to praise her now?
E. In our Scripture passage this morning we see some reasons that she is worth more then fine rubies. As I said I have divided them into three broad categories
1. Her Character
2. Her Conscientiousness
3. Her Compensation
May God show us the worth of a godly Mother and wife and may He show women the make-up of just such a woman.
PRAY
We begin with
I. HER CHARACTER
A. Purity - in body, soul and heart - Prov 31:10-11 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. {11} The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
1. She is virtuous meaning, righteous and possessing or characterized by chastity; pure.
a. She gives no reason for her husband to doubt her love
b. She is submissive to her husband in accordance with Eph 5:22 which states Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
c. She gives herself to him physically as directed by 1 Cor 7:1-5
2. Therefore her husband is content at home and needs not to go out and seek spoil in the community.
3. For he knows She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Prov 31:12
B. She is charitable - Prov 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
1. Though she is quite busy with her home she still takes the time and effort to help those who are less fortunate
2. She does what she can under the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit
C. She has wisdom - Prov 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
1. The Bible states in James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
2. This leads us to believe she has an active prayer life - asking God
a. For direction in how to meet the needs of her husband and children
b. For protection of the same.
D. She is Kind - for in her tongue is the law of kindness.
1. She is not a gossip, speaking of things she does not know
a. But rather spends her time uplifting and encouraging the saints with the wisdom that comes from God’s Word
2. She is not back biting or slandering those in the community
a. Nor is she ranting or raving at her husband or children
b. But rather, she is thankful for the things they do well and expresses her joy
c. While at the same time encouraging with all patience and long suffering the building of good character with in her children and friends.
Her character is impeccable: She is a person of Purity, Charity, wisdom and kindness. But above all, she is a woman of
E. Piety - Prov 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
1. Her main purpose in life is to please the Lord her God
2. She knows that in the fear of the Lord there is the beginning of wisdom, power, and above all else love!
3. For she believes that whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Col 3:23-24
4. She is a woman of character: pure, Charitable, Wise, Kind, and Pious
F. If you have a woman like this, whether it be a wife or mother, truly - she shall be praised. Praise God for MOTHERS!
It is her Character that leads to
II. HER CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
A. See if this does not depict a hard working mother - Prov 31:13-19
1. She works to clothe her family - She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
2. She works to feed her family - {14} She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. {15} She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
3. She works to support her family - {16} She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
4. She sometimes does it alone - feeling no one cares, yet she strengthens her self to the task - {17} She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
5. She works long and hard for the benefit of others within the family - {18} She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. {19} She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
6. She is better than the postal service for neither snow, nor wind, nor rain shall keep her or her family from their appointed tasks for - She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. {22} She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Prov 31:21-22
7. She does all she can that her family will prosper - She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Prov 31:24
8. Praise God for mothers - Praise God for wives who mother our children and US sometimes
B. And as so often is the case, because her, look what the Scripture says - Prov 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
1. A good wife will make you or break you!
2. A good mother will make you or break you!
3. Praise God for MOTHERS!
Praise God for a woman of Character and Conscientiousness - but even more than that we should praise her. For this is
III. HER COMPENSATION
A. Proverbs 31:25 states Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
- The time has come today - It is Mother’s Day! Give her the honor, joy and love she so richly deserves.
B. Prov 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
C. This is the pay off for her and we should richly bless and praise her, yet to often we only give her minimum wage
1. Most of us would not want to work as hard as she does for less than 20.00 an hour
2. Yet we give her so little in the way of praise and love for all she does.
D. If you mother is no long with you - praise God for her
1. If your mother could not be with you this morning, call her and let her know you love her and appreciate her
2. If you see her today, give her an big hug and a kiss and let her know ho much you appreciate her
3. Today is YOUR MOTHER’S DAY!
4. Praise God for MOTHERS!
CONCLUSION:
A. Scripture tells us no less than 9 times to honor our mothers
1. Let’s obey God’s word and honor our mothers
2. Just as important lets obey our heart and tell them how much we love them!
B. Ladies, are you a virtuous woman?
1. These are lofty goals – that which the Lord has set
2. Are you seeking to be this type of woman?
3. If you are, the home will be a much better place.
Despite what our world may say there is no better or greater lot in life than to be a virtuous woman, a loving wife, and a pious mother!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
