Conclusion: This is it, the final day of the 31 days of wisdom.  I pray you have a new habit of reading, writing and praying your way through God’s word.  What’s next?  Now that you have gotten a feel for this discipline, we will be reading through the bible together.  Watch for the daily reading guide and the steps to follow. The first book of the bible we will be studying as 217church together is Nehemiah.  Our final Preview service is February 14 10 am at the AMC 24, yes, that is Valentines Day.  Our topic will be love and relationships.  Here is a teaser to that sermon…

Title: If You Can Find Her…

Scripture Read: Proverbs 31

Key Verse: A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.   Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  Proverbs 31:10-11

Observations:

This passage of scripture has always intrigued me.  Why?  This woman who is explained seems unrealistic to me.  Not putting the ladies down, but honestly?  I have heard women who have read this and made jokes about this woman.  I have heard men complain to me about their wife saying, why isn’t my wife more like this woman?  In addition, this passage seems to break the traditional mode of the bare foot and pregnant wife that some people want to lock women into.  This woman seems to be business savvy, smart and able to make money buying and selling fields.  She is wise in the marketplace and ready to provide for her family.  She is tireless, giving, secure, strong, dignified and married well.  Seems a bit overwhelming huh ladies?  The attributes here are really quite amazing.  So in the below section there is something for the ladies and for the men.

Applications:  For the men / boys:

Man up – love your wife for who she is: Bottom line, you married her, you selected her out of the billions of women in the world.  She is your responsibility to love and respect.  Regardless of whether or not she can buy or sell a field, your job is to love her.  Treat her better than you treat your own self.

If you are single choose wisely: 31:30 resonates with me, “charm is deceptive and beauty is deceiving.” Look for a woman who is a hard worker and moreover, that doesn’t complain all the time.  Look for a woman who likes her work.  If she complains in the work place, she will saddle you with complaints in the home.  Believe me, raising kids is a lot of work.  She will burden you and you will be miserable.

Do your part, whatever it takes: If you are married, you carry an identity together.  You have to work together to solve your issues.  Men, ‘he’ was respected at the city gates, are you?  It is obvious that this woman married well.  Don’t think you will attract a wife of value if you act like a little boy and are irresponsible, especially with money. Lets talk about debt, if you have it, it’s your responsibility, no one else’s, don’t try and dump it on your spouse.  Don’t make excuses, you signed the bottom line, don’t blame your boss or the company.  No one owes you anything.

Applications For the women / girls:

Don’t compare and complain: As I said to the men, I say to the women.  You married him just the way he is.  Lets talk about finances and debt.  If you have debt, when you married, you knew what you were getting into.  Complain less and contribute and encourage more.  Stop spending money! Every man wants to know there is a wife who loves and believes in him.  Especially if you are just starting out, marriage is hard work, You can’t expect to have everything now.

If you are single choose wisely: YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE MARRIED TO A LAZY MAN!  Ok, I got that off my chest.  But seriously, look at his work ethic.  Look how he treats kids, is he good with them?  Look for someone who takes responsibility.  Does he always blame other people for his current circumstances?  In counseling couples early in their marriage one of the biggest issues of conflict is unmet expectations.

Do your part, whatever it takes: You get the feeling the woman was satisfied with her man and loved him for who he was.  She also did her part, not burdening him with foolish demands.  Words that do not come to mind here are ‘spoiled brat’.  You are God’s daughter, you deserve to be treated with respect, but no one said it would be easy, and no one said you could be lazy either.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for my wife who is an amazing woman and mother to our children.  Give me the wisdom to love and provide for her to the best of my ability.

Burning Questions:

Married?  Will you make a conscious decision to love your spouse for who he / she is and not burden them with unrealistic expectations?

Single?  Have you made a list of the qualities of what you will and will not date?