She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (Pro 31:13) This wonderful lady took every opportunity to find what she needed for her family. I love the word “seeketh” used here. Today’s Proverb 31 wife would probably research on-line for deals and coupons. She would diligently search the newspapers for more coupons. She looks for quality material, as shown here by this woman searching for wool and flax. Flax was used to make thread and linen fabric. Both these fabrics (wool and linen) are not flimsy or cheap, as many sewers know. They are both sturdy fabrics and have a lot of wear.

Also notice that this wife worked willingly with her hands. I do not see a woman who is grudgingly working here. I see a woman who realizes that God created her to be a helpmeet to her husband. She desires to meet his needs by making clothes for him. She wants him to look good. Her family does not lack in this area.

Today’s devotional is not very long but packs a punch, doesn’t it? Even if you can’t sew, you should still be working to buy quality clothing at the best price. Do you seek the best bargains for clothing? Do you buy the latest fashions knowing that it will be out of style in a year? Do you buy a bargain item only to have to buy it again because it fell apart? I love thrift stores! You can buy quality clothing at a real bargain!!

Be wise as you look for bargains. Making and buying quality garments at a good price will not only help you to keep your family dressed well for the season but it will save you money in the long run. Your husband will be able to rest assured that his wife doesn’t squander the money he works so hard to bring home. He will rest easy knowing that his family will not have clothing that will fall apart but will be sturdy, beautiful and made or bought at a good price! Can your husband say that about you today? It’s never too late to start!

Dear God…
Help me to be wise today
As I spend each dollar bill
Help me use my resources
As I seek to do Your will

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Pro 31:12) I have often wondered how a wife could possibly do evil to her husband when this is the man that she loves. I could see how this could be a true statement when she is involved in an unhappy marriage. However, is it possible for a wife to do evil to her husband when she is in a happy Godly marriage?

What are some evil things that a wife could do to her husband? Noah Webster defines evil as:

Moral evil is any deviation of a moral agent from the rules of conduct prescribed to him by God, or by legitimate human authority; or it is any violation of the plain principles of justice and rectitude.

When a wife knows that she should be doing a certain thing for her husband and she does not do it, it is sin. For example, she knows she must be submissive but she rebels against his wishes instead. This is an example of doing him evil.

Let’s look at a few verses which show a wife what is expected of her.

… and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Eph 5:33b) Do you respect and esteem your husband? Respecting and esteeming him is good in public, but do you do so in private as well? Reverencing the man that God has given you is commanded of you. When you fail to reverence him, you are doing him evil.

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (Eph 5:23) Is your husband your head? This verse says that he is. Do you treat him as such? Or do you supersede his decisions? Do you step in and take control without speaking with him in situations which should be handled by him? You are removing him from his rightful place as head of your home. Without words, your actions are telling him that you think he is not capable of leading your home. If you are doing this, you are doing him evil.

… but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. (1 Cor. 7:34b) Paul says that the married woman sees how she can please her husband. Do you look for ways to please your man? This is what Proverbs 31:12 is speaking of when she is doing him good.

A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. (Pro 19:13) A contentious woman is a woman who, according to Noah Webster, is given to angry debate and is quarrelsome. She argues with her husband over everything. It’s obvious that she’s not content with how he heads the home. Notice how Solomon compares her to a continual dropping? We’ve all heard the bathroom faucet dripping as we’re trying to sleep. It gets to the point where the continuous drip sounds like thunder in the still of the night. I believe this is the thought that he was trying to convey. This contentious woman is a nuisance and makes her man crazy. Can you see him as he rubs his forehead and shakes his head? I can see where a man like this would throw his arms up in the air in defeat. If you are always arguing with your husband, you are doing him evil.

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. (Pro 19:14) Ah, the prudent wife does good to her husband. She is cautious and wise as she does her shopping. She watches for sales. She spends his money with care. She doesn’t jump to conclusions or rush into trouble. She is careful with her words and chooses them wisely. She does not bring him shame – either in action or in word. All these things show her prudence and Proverbs 31:12 says she is doing him good.

Lastly, this Proverbs 31 wife is doing him good all the days of her life. She does him good even when she doesn’t feel like it. She does him good even if she is sick or the children are sick… ALL the days of her life.

Dear God…
I commit to You today
To do my husband good
Drive evil far from me
So I can be the wife I should

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. (Pro 31:11) Trust is something that is earned – it is developed as a relationship grows. You don’t meet a stranger and trust him right away, do you? You observe this person and get to know him. While watching for this person’s integrity, reliability and sound principles you then begin to respect him. Proverbs 31:11 says that this husband safely trusts in his wife. Not only does he trust her but he does so without hesitation or fear! This adjective speaks volumes, doesn’t it?

Does your husband feel this way about you? If not, why not? Do you belittle him in front of others? How can you trust someone who doesn’t honor you? Ephesians 5:33b is still in the Bible. …and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Eph 5:33) I have heard some very sad stories of men belittling their wives to their co-workers. The wife finds out and it is a long time before she forgets how disrespectful her husband was of her to his friends. It is no different here. A wife should never, and I repeat never, say anything but uplifting and kind things about her husband to others as well as to her husband. This builds trust. He knows that she is his best friend, his supporter and his cheerleader. She should never say anything to anyone that would make him look bad in their eyes. I know that when a woman tells me something negative about her husband, it’s the first thing I think of the next time I see him. The same results happen when I hear a good thing about her husband. Which one do you think will create safe trust in this man’s heart?

The latter part of the verse says that the Proverbs 31 wife’s husband shall have no need of spoil. Are you wasteful? Your husband works so that you can have food, shelter and clothing. Do you waste food? Do you take care of the house to prevent costly repairs later? Do you spend your money wisely on clothing by hitting the sales, buying from thrift stores or yard sales? Do you mend and repair rather than throw it away and buy new? How do you spend his hard-earned money when you go shopping? Do you go to the most expensive store because it is closer or do you seek out bargains? Do you make gifts by hand using your craftiness rather than buy something? Do you pray before you buy asking the Lord to send the item? I have seen many times where the Lord has sent something “free”! We miss out on blessings when we don’t commit our purchases to the Lord.

The Proverbs 31 wife was not only a virtuous (Godly) woman, but she was in the promotional business. She was busy promoting her husband and his character. Everything she said and everything she did had her husband in mind – how she could build him up and make him successful. Do you think I’m reading into this verse? I don’t think I am. The very fact that he “safely” trusted in her tells me that he did not have one worry involving her. He knew beyond a shadow of doubt that she would do the right thing. I’m sure you’ve heard it said, “Honey, don’t mention what I told you the other night in front of my boss, OK?” If a husband “safely” trusted in his wife, he would have no need to mention this.

Just because you are married now does not mean that your husband will safely trust in you immediately. Remember, it takes time to build trust. Work on building that trust in your husband’s eyes by speaking good of him and being careful with every dollar that you spend. This is just the beginning and as he sees these qualities in you, you can be sure that it is adding to the foundation of trust he will have for you.

Dear God…
Help me to guard my mouth
Be uplifting in every way
Guide me as I spend each dime
Give me wisdom each new day