What does God’s Word tell us about the Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman in ministry? “Who can find the Virtuous Woman?” Women in ministry are more common today because this ministry is not only in the church realm, but also in the home and around the neighborhood. This woman in ministry is open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in how ways to successfully minister to the spouse and family but also to other women who are younger in the faith – and maybe those that have not yet heard about our wonderful Lord. How can she teach them appropriately the things of God? What about teaching men? What about evangelism? What does the Bible say? What does it say in Proverbs and elsewhere in God’s Word?

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
31:15

Let us look at this verse with spiritual eyes for a moment. When we as women of God are feeding spiritual meat “God’s Word” to our children, we are completely involved in ministry. Does it matter the age of our children? It gives no reference to age here. The keyword is HOUSEHOLD. What about the maidens God has brought our way or in our care? These maidens could be our church friends that come to our home, or our neighbor friends, or those young women we meet in the store, at our children’s school, in the break room at the job site, or at the hair salon. How can we minister to them from God’s Word? By our witness and testimony of Jesus Christ in our life and by the things that the Lord is teaching us through daily study in His Word. But are we staying prayed up and well versed in God’s Word or are we involved with reviewing books? Someone else’s thoughts are nice but God’s Word is eternal. Are we seeking Him daily for guidance? Consistent study and fellowship at our church home should be a part of our lives as well.

“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”
31:20

Another aspect of ministry is to take on the traits of Dorcas/Tabitha [see Women of the Word Studies] who used a needle and thread to accommodate the needs of others. What a wonderful woman of ministry this saint was. What do we do when we see a need? How do we respond? These days so many of us are too busy to make a pot of soup for the ill or stop by to pray with a loved one or friend because time constraints just don’t allow for it…or maybe we are afraid we will get sick as well. What about that phone call? What happened to this gift of ministry? It is exercised so little these days.

I was recently quite ill with a virus that attacked my back. This caused me to be laid up for a solid two weeks most of which I could barely move. My husband did all the cooking and caring for me but he had to go out and work as well. We live on a little farm and he had to cover for me in that area as well. He was one busy fellow! One day we received a call from a neighbor friend who said a big pot of stew and bread was on its way…enough for three complete meals. This woman was led by the Holy Spirit to minister to a need…being obedient to the leading of the Spirit and God will bless her beyond measure for her Dorcas – like heart. I was also unbelievably blessed by the prayers of many many women who just felt led to pray, to call, and to send uplifting emails. That is true ministry. That is taking the time. That is a virtuous woman of ministry responding.

“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.”
31:21

This is my favorite evangelism verse. It shows us how a woman can fearlessly be an evangelist in her home and share the gospel with those in her home. The scarlet represents the blood of Jesus Christ washing us clean and making us all white as snow. This woman of virtue makes certain those in her household hear the good news of our wonderful Lord. Can we be evangelists? You bet we can. Think about the many times God uses you. It is the little things. People see Jesus when they see you. Eventually they respond. Do not be afraid to minister to others of the love and saving grace of Jesus. Our lives were worth saving to God. He is not willing that any should perish.

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
31:25

We are all weak by ourselves but as women of virtue, we need to look to the Lord for intensity with our words of wisdom. He will provide every syllable and he will provide all the strength we need.

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
31:26

Part of ministry comes with speaking words God gives us to speak rather than what we might conjure up ourselves. The Epistle of James in the third chapter tells of the dangers of using the tongue incorrectly. The woman of virtue, this godly woman, learns to moderate the tongue and learns to be quiet when it is important to be quiet. This too is part of ministry.

Do we teach men? When the Bible speaks of ministries for women it lists hospitality, comfort, for the anointing of Christ, serving the church, helpers to Paul, prophetesses [for encouragement, comfort, edification, admonishment] for the teaching of (older to the younger) women -- but never in any authority over a church.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2:12

Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for your everlasting love and merciful kindness towards us as women of your Word. Lord God, Abba Father, I pray that you would help us to be the kind of women you have called us to be whether in our homes, as mothers, out in the workplace, or in ministry. Help us not to be puffed up and think we are more than what you intend. Help us to live as the Titus 2:3-5 woman – “...in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of GOOD things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

We thank you for the gifts you bestow upon us as wives, mothers, home-managers, counselors to other women, teachers, prophetesses, women of hospitality, servants, co-laborers, intercessors, church workers, patriotic women, women of benevolence and so much more. Help us to be satisfied with our place and to serve you diligently from morning until night. How we love you, give you all the praise and glory, and honor in Jesus Precious Name. Amen