The Best Witness

Proverbs 31:31 (KJV) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

The world would certainly be a better place if all women used chapter 31 as a model.  It would be even better if men would take the lessons that are here and apply them to their lives.

This final verse could be looked at as saying that the laborer is worthy of her hire, but I want to look at the second part.  It’s an interesting statement that her “works” are going to be what “praises” her.  So often we think that what we say is what people should be listening to, but how often do we listen to what other people tell us?  We’ve heard the platitudes about how actions speak louder than words, this makes it more than a platitude.

I don’t think that this model woman is going out each day asking herself, “What can I do today to make myself look good?”  I think she goes out each day simply committed to living an upright and righteous life, to working hard, to be honest and fair in all her dealings.  People notice.

So?  I would suggest that we continually check our motivation and make sure that it is pure.  When you compliment the pastor on a sermon either make it an honest statement of how you feel or simply find someone else to talk to.  Apply that liberally to the rest of life.