Hard Work, Godly Goals, and the Industrious Life

"She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms." Proverbs 31:17 (KJV) Some people imagine that the Christian woman is meant to be passive, soft, and dependent. The Bible paints a very different picture. From Genesis to Revelation, the women of God are strong, industrious, and faithful in their work. The Proverbs 31 woman girdeth her loins with strength. She rises while it is yet night. She considers a field and buys it. She perceives that her merchandise is good. Her candle does not go out by night. She is clothed with strength and dignity.

God has given you abilities. He has given you strength in your body, understanding in your mind, creativity in your heart, and skill in your hands. He expects you to use them. In the parable of the talents, the Lord gave to each servant something according to his ability. He expected each one to invest it and to produce a return. The servant who hid his talent was called wicked and lazy. God is not pleased when His daughters bury their gifts in the ground.

Let me speak about four kinds of work — physical work, home economics, income-producing work, and Kingdom work. Each one is part of the calling of the Christian woman.

First, physical work. In many African cultures, women do much of the hardest physical labor. We fetch water, we work the gardens, we carry heavy loads, we cook over fires, we wash clothes by hand. Do not see this work as beneath you. In God's eyes, every honest work is dignified. Jesus Himself worked as a carpenter. His mother Mary surely carried water and ground grain like every woman of her time. Paul, the great apostle, made tents with his own hands. Do your work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.

Second, home economics. This is the work of managing the resources of the home to meet the needs of the family. The Proverbs 31 woman was skilled in this. She sought wool and flax. She bought food wisely. She made clothing.

She considered what the family would need in the coming months and prepared ahead of time. In our time, home economics includes budgeting, shopping carefully, cooking meals that are nourishing but affordable, preserving food, mending clothes rather than always buying new, and teaching the children how to help. A woman who is skilled in home economics can stretch a small income into a family that is well fed, well clothed, and secure.

Third, income-producing work. The Proverbs 31 woman was not only a keeper of the home. She was also a businesswoman. She considered a field and bought it. With the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard. She made fine linen and sold it. She delivered girdles to the merchants. Her husband trusted her with the family resources, and she multiplied them. This is a beautiful picture.

It teaches us that a Christian woman can, and in many cases should, contribute to the family's income through her own industry. Many women in East Africa are the economic backbone of their families. You sell in the market. You run a small salon. You keep chickens and sell eggs. You grow beans and matoke for sale. You sew clothes. You make crafts. You teach school. You work as a nurse or a government employee. All of this is good and God-honoring work, when done with integrity and when it does not crowd out your family and your walk with the Lord.

Let me speak about setting godly goals. Goals are important. A ship without a rudder drifts wherever the current takes it. A life without goals drifts as well. The Bible says that where there is no vision, the people perish. As a Christian woman, you should have goals for your spiritual life, your family, your finances, your work, and your service.

Spiritual goals. Perhaps this year you will read through the whole Bible. Perhaps you will memorize fifty-two verses. Perhaps you will start a daily time of prayer and journaling. Perhaps you will read one Christian book about marriage, or prayer, or discipleship.

Family goals. Perhaps this year you will begin family devotions every evening. Perhaps you will have one special meal each week where the whole family sits down together without distractions.

Perhaps you will teach your children one new skill.

Financial goals. Perhaps this year you will save a certain amount each month. Perhaps you will pay off a debt. Perhaps you will start a small side business. Perhaps you will give a larger offering to the Lord than last year.

Work goals. Perhaps this year you will learn a new skill that will help you earn better. Perhaps you will take a short course. Perhaps you will become more organized or more efficient in what you already do.

Service goals. Perhaps this year you will join the women's fellowship. Perhaps you will teach Sunday School. Perhaps you will visit one widow or sick person each week. Perhaps you will disciple a younger woman.

Write your goals down. Pray over them. Review them with your husband if you are married. Share some of them with a godly friend who can hold you accountable. At the end of the year, review what God did.

Let me show you a few women in the scriptures who were industrious and who had goals. Consider Lydia in Acts chapter sixteen. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira. Purple was a luxury product, and her business was probably quite profitable. When she heard Paul preach by the riverside, she received Christ. Her whole household was baptized. She then opened her home to Paul and his team, and the church at Philippi was born in her house. Here was a businesswoman, using her business to support the gospel, and opening her home for the Kingdom.

Consider Dorcas, also called Tabitha, in Acts chapter nine. She lived in Joppa. The scripture says she was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. When she died, the widows of the city stood weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made for them while she was with them. She had taken her skill with needle and thread and used it to clothe the poor. When Peter raised her from the dead, her ministry continued. Your skills — whatever they are — can be used for the glory of God and the good of others.

Consider the woman at the well in John chapter four. Before Jesus met her, she was a broken woman. After she met Jesus, she ran into the city and told everyone about Him. Her bold witness brought many Samaritans to faith. Ministry is not only for pastors. It is for every believer.

One caution as we end this chapter. Work and goals are good, but they are not everything. If your work takes over your life, if your goals push out your walk with God, if your business crowds out your husband and children, then something is out of order. Jesus said that the Father has numbered the hairs of your head. He cares for you. He will provide for you. Do not work seven days a week.

Honor the Sabbath. Rest. Worship. Trust. The Bible says that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. You can work hard, but it is God who gives the increase.

Finally, work with honesty and integrity. Do not cheat in the market. Do not give short measure.

Do not lie to customers. Do not pay workers less than what you agreed. Do not take bribes. Do not participate in corruption to get ahead. The God who sees you knows whether your business is conducted in the light or in the darkness. A Christian businesswoman who is known for honesty will, in the long run, be more blessed than one who cuts corners. Integrity is not the easy road. It is the narrow road. But it is the road of blessing.

A Prayer Lord, You are a God who works. From the beginning You labored to create the heavens and the earth. Teach me to work with diligence and skill. Give me strength for my labor.

Give me wisdom to set godly goals and to pursue them. Make my hands useful and my mind clear. Bless the work of my hands that I may provide for my family, give to Your Kingdom, and be a blessing to others. Keep me from laziness, but also keep me from idolizing work.

Let all I do be for Your glory, in the name of Jesus, Amen.