Proverbs 31 Woman (Part 3) Hard Worker
Proverbs 31 encourages women to be diligent workers rooted in their fear of the Lord. This is part 3 in a series of blogs on the Proverbs 31 woman.
Hardworking - This woman is a diligent, careful, consistent, eager, willing, hard worker!
Work was a part of God’s world BEFORE the fall into sin. God put Adam and Eve into the Garden of Eden and told them to work the land and subdue creation. Hard work is part of God’s good plan and will be part of eternity. Work has been cursed because of sin. Work can be difficult and a source of suffering, but work itself is good!
We see God is a hard working God. God must continually, without stopping ever, sustain and hold the universe for it to continue to exist.
Hebrews 1:3 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
Colossians 1:17 “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
God is actively directing, holding, working His perfect plan and holding “all things” together. Without God’s constant work, everything would cease to exist.
We live in a culture that values free time, leisure time, “me time” - but God values hard work. When we determine to please God with our hard work, it is a joy to serve Him.
John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work”.
Jesus’s work was to perfectly fulfill God’s word.
John 19:28-30 “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
Jesus completed His work. He perfectly fulfilled God’s word, and then went to the cross as the perfect sacrifice. It was finished.
Again, it is Jesus’ perfect fulfillment of this quality that gives us hope. We are sinners, yet set free to grow in being hard working like Christ because He finished His work. We can honor God with our work.
Proverbs 31: 15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Working does not only mean earning money - though it does include that. Work can be done around the house (not earning money), volunteering outside the home, or even the “work” of caring for others through different forms of ministry whether one on one or in groups.
However, just because you are home with children, doesn’t mean you are a hard worker. Sadly, I have known ‘stay at home moms’ who are not hard workers. They may be home, but they are not setting their minds and hearts to what God calls them to do. Just because you go to work 40 hours a week, doesn’t mean you are a hard worker, honoring God in your tasks. Being a hard worker is a mindset and attitude seeking to do what God has called you to do and then working “heartily” or with vigor, for the Lord.
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”.
Here’s the motivation for our work! We are working for the Lord. When you are doing mundane tasks of laundry, dishes, changing diapers, writing emails for work, engaging with clients, responding to your boss, dealing with aging parents - it can be done for God and have eternal value! When we work with the attitude of serving God - we receive a reward from God. When we grumble and complain and serve ourselves, there is no eternal value in our work.
In verse 15, We see this woman rising while it is yet night. We can’t be quick to say “she’s just a morning person!”. God’s word is showing us that she is willing to make her work a priority. She is providing for her household before others rise. This also shows a willing, joyful heart response to work. There isn’t the groaning, hitting the snooze alarm, dreading getting out of bed, or begrudging all that comes in a day's work. She rises while it is dark because she wants to work hard, knowing it is part of fearing God and living as He has designed us to live.
In verse 18, we see her lamp doesn’t go out at night. We can’t just say, “she’s a night-owl”. Again, God is describing the consistent, diligent worker.
The work she does may be a bit more cultural but we see the principles of being a hard worker. We may not plant fields, we may not buy a field, and I had to look up what a “distaff” is. I don’t weave on a loom or spindle, but some of you might. Those are examples from Jewish culture and biblical times, but the point remains the same. This woman isn’t focused on herself. She is working to benefit others. She’s getting up early, staying up late and serving others. This is not that she is shorting herself sleep, but the idea that she is using a full day to honor the Lord.
God designed us to need sleep. Even Jesus on earth needed sleep. God doesn’t call us to work to exhaustion and ruin our health, but we can be hard workers wisely all throughout the day. She’s not getting to 3pm and saying “that’s all i’m doing today. The rest of you can fend for yourselves. I need a break”. She’s finishing well each day.
Her work is ‘for the Lord’ because she is serving God by serving others from a heart that “fears the Lord” which we see clearly in verse 30. This isn’t work to make herself feel accomplished or to have others say “look at that proverbs 31 woman, she’s amazing at how much she does.” This woman fears the Lord and her aim is to please God with her time.
She is not idle. Idle means not working, or being busy without purpose or without effect. This Proverbs 31 woman is contributing to her family’s well-being and society with her work. She is working with purpose in a way that benefits others. She is working with purpose in the business world - being honest and trustworthy - and does earn a profit, which also helps her family and contributes to God’s church.
As we think about our work, whether at home or in the business world, or both, are we hardworking? You can be a barista, a graphic designer, a teacher, a bank teller, a grocery store clerk, or a stay-at-home mom - you can work with diligence, consistency, as to the Lord.
What we don’t see in Proverbs 31 is “me-time”. We don’t see “I deserve a break when my husband comes home”. Or, “I deserve to treat myself to a mani-pedi.” These aren’t wrong, but there isn’t the idea that hard work earns me a break or that I am promised others will appreciate and value my work. We work hard simply because it pleases God!
Me-time is different from taking a Sabbath time. God designed us to rest in Him, to spend time renewing our minds in HIs Word. And it is not sinful to take some time to do something nice for yourself, but what is your attitude about it? Do you feel you deserve it, or should have it? Is it neglecting others to do so? Do you see a break as a gracious gift from God? Our thoughts, motives, intentions determine whether or not. Do you work hard to honor God, or to do the bare minimum necessary, or do you work to get a break? God is looking at our hearts - the motive, the intention, the beliefs behind the work.
Is this an area to grow in? Is there something about your work habits that could honor God more?