In Praise of Women Who Lead

Proverbs 31:10-31, New International Reader's Version

The Excellent Woman

¹⁰ Who can find an excellent woman?
She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband trusts her completely.
She gives him all the important things he needs.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³ She chooses wool and flax.
She loves to work with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the ships of traders.
She brings her food from far away.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night.
She provides food for her family.
She also gives some to her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it.
She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.
¹⁷ She gets ready to work hard.
Her arms are strong.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading earns a lot of money.
Her lamp doesn’t go out at night.
¹⁹ With one hand she holds the wool.
With the other she spins the thread.
²⁰ She opens her arms to those who are poor.
She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.
²¹ When it snows, she’s not afraid for her family.
All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.
²² She makes her own bed coverings.
She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate.
There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen clothes and sells them.
She supplies belts to the traders.
²⁵ She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes.
She can laugh at the days that are coming.
²⁶ She speaks wisely.
She teaches faithfully.
²⁷ She watches over family matters.
She is busy all the time.
²⁸ Her children stand up and call her blessed.
Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.
²⁹ He says, “Many women do excellent things.
But you are better than all the others.”
³⁰ Charm can fool you. Beauty fades.
But a woman who has respect for the Lord should be praised.
³¹ Give her honor for all that her hands have done.
Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Message:

Have you ever been to a wedding? Maybe you have been in a wedding party. A wedding is a day of celebration. It is the day two people promise to spend the rest of their lives together. Someday, you may choose someone to marry. But even if you never get married, you will have to choose people to trust and be friends with throughout your life. What will you look for in that person? Will you look for someone who is famous? Will you look for someone who is beautiful or handsome? Will you look for someone who has a lot of money?

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings. These sayings are not only wise, like we talked about last week, but also practical. What does the word “practical” mean? (Allow children to respond.) Practical means useful, and there are many topics in Proverbs that are useful. Some of those practical things are seeking God in your life, managing your money, and knowing that wisdom is important.

Today, this proverb is about knowing that friends are important. This proverb is the very last one found in the book of Proverbs. The words from this Proverb tell us not to look for someone with fame, beauty, or riches. Those things don’t matter much. Instead, look for someone who is honest and kind. Look for someone who works hard at helping others. Look for someone who is generous to the poor. Look for someone who trusts God.

One of the most important characteristics that we can find in someone we love is trust. Trust is something God wants for us in every relationship, and God wants you to be trustworthy. Trustworthy means that others can trust you. For example, when you tell someone you’ll do something, you will be trusted to do it.

We can always put our complete trust in God. You can trust God no matter what situation you find yourself. God will always be true to you. God will always do what God says God will do. You can trust God to take care of you every day of your life. That’s the kind of relationship that I want to have with those who love me. And God loves you very much!

Prayer:

God, help me grow up to be strong and wise like the woman in Proverbs. If I get married later in life, help me choose a person like her. Help me find someone I can put my whole trust in, just as I do with you. Amen.