How can we honor the "fruit of her hands" in our lives? Setting the Verse in Context Proverbs 31:31: “Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.” Understanding “Fruit of Her Hands” - Encompasses every visible and invisible product of a godly woman’s labor—meals, spreadsheets, knitted blankets, discipled hearts. - “Give her” calls for deliberate action; praise at the “gates” implies public, influential recognition. Honor—A Biblical Mandate - Romans 13:7: “...respect to whom respect is due; honor to whom honor is due.” - 1 Samuel 2:30: “Those who honor Me I will honor.” - Refusing honor diminishes both the servant and the Lord who empowered her. Practical Expressions of Honor in Daily Life Home • Voice gratitude for each task completed (Proverbs 31:26). • Build budget space for her creative ventures or continuing education. • Mark project completions—garden harvests, book launches—with family celebrations. Church • Publicly recognize women’s ministries—nursery care, intercession, hospitality (Romans 12:10). • Offer platforms (newsletters, testimony nights) where “her works praise her at the gates.” • Facilitate Titus 2 mentoring: younger believers learning skills from seasoned sisters. Community • Frequent and promote businesses run by godly women. • Nominate her for civic awards or ministry grants. • Stand with her in community service—school boards, crisis-pregnancy centers, food banks. Honoring Through Words - Proverbs 16:24: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb.” - Give specific, sincere praise; avoid back-handed compliments or comparisons. Honoring Through Deeds - Share physical loads: fold laundry, drive car-pool (Galatians 5:13). - Invest in tools—laptop, sewing machine, reliable vehicle—that multiply her reach. - Guard her rest by shielding days off from needless demands (Exodus 20:8-10). Protecting Honor in a Modern Culture - Reject entertainment that belittles biblical womanhood (Psalm 101:3). - Train children early to thank and bless their mother (Proverbs 31:28). - Model balanced schedules so work never eclipses appreciation. Looking to Christ, the Ultimate Model - Mark 14:3-9: Jesus memorializes a woman’s costly anointing—global, timeless honor. - Luke 8:1-3: He welcomes material support from faithful women, valuing their gifts. The Blessed Harvest of Honor - Proverbs 11:25: “A generous soul will prosper.” Honor multiplies rather than drains. - Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Earthly affirmation foreshadows eternal commendation. Each act of acknowledgement today plants seeds for that coming day when every faithful laborer’s work will echo at the gates of the King. |
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