Recession is a blessing!

"She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies sashes for the merchants."

Proverbs 31:24

The contrast between now and then

We are privileged to be living in a western culture. Let us have a look at how a typical day goes:

The alarm clock wakes us up, maybe more than once because we have a convenient lazy tool called the 'snooze button'. We switch the lamp on. In our own time, we force ourselves to get out of bed and walk a few meters to the bathroom. We turn on the tap, wait a minute until the water is the desired warm temperature and flow. We lather ourselves in all sorts of soaps and oils. We reach out to our lovely bought fluffy towel and head towards our large wardrobes. We open the door and view the piles of bought clothing and shoes. We change. Off to the kitchen we go, we switch the kettle on, grab cereal, open long life box milk and eat. We may open a carton of yogurt and a bottle of fresh fruit juice. Eventually when ready, we grab car keys, lock the house up, set the alarm and ride to our destination in our air conditioned car!


The rest of the day consists of instant coffee, restaurants, coffee shops, quick meals, cell phones, email, Internet, computers, printers, hairdressers, doggy parlors, clothing stores, fridges, light switches, toilets, the list goes on.


The Proverbs 31 woman did not have all these luxuries! She was forced to get up much earlier and do everything herself. Let us have a peak at what her live may have looked like.


Wake herself up, ensure that the lamps did not run out of oil. Ensure that the outside "sewerage system" was functional and clean. She walked far to get water, she had to make a fire to heat the water, make soap for the family to clean themselves with, make the towels for everyone to use, make all the clothes and even maybe the shoes. Grow the oats and cook it, milk the cow or get fresh milk from nearby, make the bread, walk to her destinations. Make all her food by hand and from scratch, plan carefully and ahead as there were no phones, post letters weeks in advance, seek out learned men and woman when requiring information, write everything out, cut every ones hair, groom animals and keep food fresh with out a fridge. This list keeps on going!

Today, we really do not have anything to complain about!

The TRUTH: We have become lazy
Can you see how much harder the woman had to work years ago? Woman in third world countries still live as most did a few hundred years ago. I have to say that all our luxuries have made us lazy. Its hard to admit but it is so true. I have heard it sad that all our new technology makes our mundane chores quicker and easier so that we have more time to do other things. This statement could be true. BUT, because all the hard work is done by our machines, we become lethargic and we place our newly found spare time into more "me time". As a result, we become lazy, we misuse our time and we forget how valuable time is.

"Look carefully the hoe how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" Ephesians 5:15-17

The LIE: We don't have to go back to the past when new technology is improving our lifestyle!
How do we explain to woman today, that it is important to work hard for her family. Why should woman today have to work so hard? We are so used to just running down to the shops and buying what we need.

The answer lies in the fact that we have to be realistic and remind ourselves of the world that we live in today. A materialistic world! A world which is forgetting God, feminism is getting stronger and people have strayed so far from the truth of God's word in knowledge and in deed!

The result of luxurious living

I would say that our priorities have become selfish. Wealth has caused us to be self centered and lazy! That is the hard reality of materialism. We begin to live for ourselves. We do not extend our hand to the poor and needy as we ought. We do not depend on the Lord for our basic daily needs.

In the light of our materialism, our laziness and the forgotten art of a hard working woman, we stop and ponder why we have to do all the hard work when it is already done by someone else, but with a high price. Where is the link to being a Proverbs 31 woman in a materialistic world?

The link is simply this. Love the Lord your God and to love your neighbors. If we are driven by the materialistic world, we will be self orientated in many ways. If we are driven by the love of the Lord, our situation would be much different. We would sacrifice many convenient ways of doing things in order to produce more by the sweat of our brow to be able to reach out our hands to the needs around us.

God's Providence

God has ordained a recession. Our finances are getting tight, we are panicking as we are battling to make ends meet. In many cases, we are unable to buy what we need and see as necessities. The recession has brought many to their knees! We are in desperate need of Godly wisdom!


The more that I think about our current economic situation from a biblical view of a Proverbs 31 woman. I see our need to return to Gods design of a true biblical woman. Our materialistic world has distorted and even destroyed biblical womanhood. Materialism has fueled the feminist movement!


It is imperative that our dependency is in God and not our materialism and our selfishness. I have realised through our study that if I apply myself more and get my hands dirty. My family will benefit so much more. Let me explain and give some brief simple examples.


My budget for veggies were at a minimum. We managed to get through the week with a few meals with some veggies. Now that the "veggie patch" at the back of the garden is underway, we are going to be able to have all sorts of lovely, unmodified, organic, delicious veggies and fruit to eat. Lord wiling! Fresh garlic, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, onions, butternut,onions, gem squash, radish, carrots, patty pans, strawberries, gooseberries, basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, may types of mint and the list can go on. It can cost a little to get things going but once I get into the hang of the veggie and herb gardening, I will be able to continue growing without having to buy seed!


Then there are eggs which were becoming a luxury with the prices getting sky high. My dad made a plan with a friend who owns a large plot to buy chickens and share the eggs. There will soon be an abundance of eggs. Real eggs, eggs which are actually free range (not like the shop varieties!) They have the beautiful golden yellow yolk. Delicious and much more healthier!


I have to conclude that I am grateful that money has become tight due to the recession. It has certainly forced me to become more industrious at home. It has also made me appreciate the Proverbs 31 woman more!

How will the recession affect our daily lives
Now in regard to our industrious woman seen in Proverbs 31:24, she is a woman working hard at home with not many luxuries that we have today. Let the recession cause you to rethink how you do things at home. Once our mind set is changed from an instant world to a 'sweat from the brow' world. Our priorities will change.

We will have to do a large amount of research to learn how to make bath oils, make clothing, make candles etc. As we learn individually and apply ourselves, we will start to help one another a lot more. We will start discovering our God given womanly talents and abilities. We will start to realise that people around us maybe battling to get something done and you can help. This is how we become industrious. We also start loving in the way that God has intended us to love each other by helping each other by deed and not just by word. You will also notice another thing, when you have to work hard at the simple things in life, you are sensitive to those around you who are poor and needy.

"For this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brother. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need yet closes his heart against him,, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

1 John 3:16-18

Life indeed has become to fast and instant and we have become lazy in all spheres. I can see a facet of God's providence in the current recession that we find ourselves in. Let us praise the Lord for what we have. Let us carefully examine where we can ditch the fast, easy, costly and search for a slower, harder and cheaper way of doing things. Let us use what we have to glorify the Lord. By Gods grace, let us teach, bless and love others with the work of our hands. The Lord will bless the abilities that He has given you. Be faithful in using them and praise the Lord if any goods or money is given to you for your hard work, your industry which is God centered, home based and blessed!

So is a recession in our day and age a blessing? Of course!

Discussion question: How doe the recession impact the feminist movement?

Developing Godly excellence by Elizabeth George (1)
We are most generally in charge of the choices we make. What are some of those choices illustrated in these proverbs and what principle(s) does each teach us:
* Proverbs 6:9-11
* Proverbs 10:4
* Proverbs 12:11
* Proverbs 14:23
* Proverbs 18:9
* Proverbs 28:19
* Proverbs 31:27
_____________________________________________________
Sources used:
(1) Discovering the treasure of a Godly woman by Elizabeth George. pg96,97

Written by Natalie Rogers

Jesus heals a man brought through the roof!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for this new day. Thank you for the cross where Jesus died for our sins so we can talk to you again. In Jesus name, Amen.

SONGS: Trust and Obey, Praise Him, Thy Word have i hid in my heart

BIBLE STORY: Mark 2: 1-12

Let’s look up today’s story in God’s Word the Bible so we can see the truths Jesus told us. Today we are going to hear about a man and his friends who believed in Jesus and trusted Him even though it seemed like they would not be able to reach Him.
Have you ever been in a really crowded room? When you are squashed or there are lots of people. On this day Jesus was talking in a room and a lot of people were all squashed into one room. A man who could not walk and his friends could not bring him in to see Jesus as there was no space... What did they do?

Read Rooftop Miracle taken from the Word & Song Bible.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. Where was Jesus in our Bible story? (In a house)
2. Was there a lot of room in the house? (No, it was very crowded.)
3. What was wrong with the man in our Bible story? (He was sick – he could not walk)
4. What did his friends do? (They were carrying their friend to Jesus. When they could not get in the door, they made a hole in the roof and lowered their friend down.)
5. What did they ask Jesus to do? (Heal their friend)
6. Did Jesus heal the man? (Yes!”)

MEMORY VERSE – Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

CRAFT – A man lowered through the roof of a house!

Materials needed – box of some sort with a lid (similar to a box obtained from a bakery), craft knife, pipe cleaners, punch, cotton wool, cutout shape of a man.

· Take the box and cut a hole in the lid of the box in the shape of a rectangle.
· Trim the edges of the part that has been cut out so it will fit smoothly into your hole.
· Turn the card around so the white side is face down, then punch one hole at each corner giving you four holes.
· Use the pipe cleaner to thread through the holes on either side, giving you a little bed with handles.
· Take some cotton wool and glue it at the one end of the bed for a “pillow”.
· Use the shape of the man to be coloured in by the children and glue it on and lower him down into the house. Older children may decorate the house outside. Depending on the age of the children they can help with each stage.

Respect is Key!

RESPECT IS KEY!

Chapter 16 – Proverbs 31: 23

‘Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.’

Prince charming arrives ... tall, dark and handsome with a gift of beautiful blooms and a box of chocolates/ a bottle of perfume/ expensive jewellery (choose whichever one suits you) and then the happy couple set off for a romantic dinner on their own. Romantic movies portray this so-called ideal all the time and hence we think that there are people who live like this permanently with no difficulties or painful circumstances. As a result scores of disgruntled wives go through life believing that anything less than the above makes for unfulfilled expectations.
Have we ever thought that we have our own princes, that your husband is your prince given to you by God and he is the one whom you have a wonderful oporunity to serve and love this whoel life through. Whatever happens in your marriage is ordained by God, is not this the time to take stock of how you have been progressing and see where you could improve? We are already 23 verses into our study and how amazing is the power of God’s Word to change us.

A MATTER OF RESPECT

The Proverbs 31 woman’s husband is also described in this manner in the NIV:
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.’
This man is able to focus on delivering righteous judgement as he is looked after and provided for at home in a respectful way. How easy it can sometimes be to allow the respect of our husbands to slip as we fall into a rut of nagging and complaining. This should not be the case.
An excerpt from a sermon John Piper gave, brings some light as to why verse 23 was included in an acrostic poem about an incredibly godly woman, who fears and loves the Lord.

“Verse 23 seems out of place in a song of praise to women. It says, ‘Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.’ How is it that a word of praise to the wife who fears the Lord? Proverbs 12:4 gives the answer: ‘A good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is rottenness of his bones.’ A wife who fears the Lord increases the esteem of her husband at the gates of the city. In twelve and a half years of marriage my wife has never done or said anything in public that would have caused me to be ashamed. She has my absolute trust as a representative of what our family stands for. There is no place i might go where i would be ashamed to take Noel. She is a crown to my head and a signet ring on my right hand. She is for me 100% because she is a woman who fears the Lord. And I pray that every wife here will, under God, give that kind of support to your husband.”

This woman’s husband is given a tribute due to her hard work and dedication. But the opposite can also be true, lets look at another Scripture which also sheds some light on a wife who si continually arguing with her husband and those around her:

‘A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentioius woman are alike.’ Proverbs
Manners and Customs of the Bible explains it as follows:

Reference is undoubtedly made here to the frequent leaks to which the flat roofs of Eastern houses are subject. Having merely a covering of earth, rolled smooth and hard, a heacy rain will soon succeed in fidning its way through, when the drops will fall into the room below. Thus making it uncomfortable, if not actually uninhabitable. Travellers are frequently disturbed in this manner during violent storms, sometimes being obliged to change their quarters in the middle of the night.’

Wow, I cringe at the thought that at times I may have made my husband want to ‘change beds because the leak was so bad’. A man who is in a home with a woman like this will not be respected in the gates but rather shamed, embarrassed and possibly even resentful. As an aside I love the fact that my husband loves coming home from work to his growing family. It can be so easy to want to offload as soon as he walks through the door and sometimes I do! But the most God-honouring thing to do is to get the children together to go and meet him with a kiss and a hug and welcome him into the home. Yes your day was probably difficult, yes there will be challenges still there in the morning but the Lord wants us to not nag nor be sour with our husbands but rather this study has really shown me the effect I can have on my home for the worse or the better. We can show respect for our husbands in the following ways:

Not to belittle him in private or public, pray for him, if he returns from work or being out later than usual still meet him at the door and warm his supper up, do not complain about your budget and how there is no money – rather thank him for his hard work and trust God to provide. A man who is continually worrying about a wife who is grumbling about finances will not be ‘known in the gates’.

Even when your husband is not paying attention we are still called to lay down our lives for them and he will then be raised up in his position and be able to ‘wear his wife as a crown’ becaseu she does him good (v 12) and he can fully trust her (v 11). She is not spiteful or a nag (v 12), she is mindful of family needs (v 14-15) and thinks for herself while still being submissive (v 16). This woman does not live by her emotions as we said above she does not offload as soon as her husband walks in the door! Her husband is touched by her love and compassion for others too (v 20) and yet at the end of the day she has time and energy for her husband. As Carolyn Mahaney says your husband will not be unhappy with peanut butter sandwiches for supper if it means you are rested and energetic enough for dessert J.

So we see that this verse about her husband is not misplaced at all. When we believe the Proverbs 31 passage and act in faith we build up our husbands and we fall more in love with our earthly prince charmings’ and more importantly our Heavenly King.

Ruth 4:11 ‘All the people in the court, and the elders, said “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rached and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous in Bethlehem. (NASB)

This is a poem that my mom read to me a while ago from Streams in the Desert:

It isn’t the things you do dear,
It’s the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache
At the setting of the sun.
The tender word unspoken,
The letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.

The stone you might have lifted
Out of your brother’s way
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried to much to say.
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for,
With troubles enough of your own.

These little acts of kidness,
So easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels,
Which even mortals find
They come in night and silence,
Each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a blight has been dropped on faith.

For life is all too short, dear,
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late.
And it’s not the things you do, dear,
Its the things you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache,
At the setting of the sun. Adelaide Proctor

Written by
Ruth Phillips

(My apologies for the delay in posting this)

Beautiful Array

"She makes herself coverings of tapestry,

her clothing is silk and purple."

Proverbs 31:22

"She makes herself covering of tapestry"

This is in reference to what we would call, "Decorating our homes".

We are strange creatures! Typically we are not entirely satisfied by our current situations. We tend to dream about the future. In our minds we dream about the ideal home we will 'one day' live in. We imagine the delightful decor and furnishings on the inside and the beautiful landscaped gardens adorned with a carpet of brightly coloured blooms. We think, "One day when I am old enough, or when I get married or when we have the money I will make..."

We must realise that most of these places and ideas that we dream up do not simply appear without some hard work and, lots of experience and knowledge gained through learning by trial and error!

Most women delight in making a home beautiful to live in. The mistake we can often make is to wait until we move into that beautiful ideal home before we set our hands to work. So if you are living in someone's garage, a one room flat, renting or living in a small place. Do not be discouraged, set your hands to work and make your current living space beautiful. Gain experience, test out different decor techniques and create a lovely place to live in. Make the most of what the Lord has entrusted you with TODAY. Whatever your living circumstance. Be diligent, carefully and lovingly look after your place called home. (Your temporary place, as your real home is with the Lord!)

By no means spend a fortune on decor!!!!!!! Be wise and use what you have. The satisfaction of making something out of something else is good. This woman is wise and is always on the look out of ways in which she can make her home homely. Let us look at just one example. Have you seen the price of duvet covers in the shops? Exorbitant! You could wait for a sale at you local material shop and buy some lovely material and make your own for half the price!

I also know people who make their homes their god! A house must be placed in its correct context. It is provided by God for shelter and for a means of hospitality. We are to look after the home that God has provided us and place your home decorating in its correct place on your priority list. It is the Lords home so look after it properly.

"Her clothing is silk and purple"

What I have said on the decor issue applies to your wardrobe! It is true that the care and the way that you wear your clothing is important. A creased T-shirt, torn jeans and muddy shoes should rather be a choice for a session of gardening rather than visiting a friend or even greeting your husband after his long day of work in the office!

Let us get to the "hard to answer question". How should a godly, elegant, modest woman dress?

*Who and why?

We need to first establish who invented clothing and what was the purpose. The answer to that can be found in Genesis chapter 3. God invented clothing. Why? Adam and Eve sinned and God made clothes for them to wear to cover their nakedness. Clothes are meant to cover us up and not to expose our bodies.

*How are we to dress?

We have been bought with a price. The Lord has saved us and forgiven us through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross. Our bodies belong to Him, therefore we are to dress to please the Lord.

*Cost?

Your wardrobe doest not have to consist of the most expensive clothing your bank can afford! The town in which you live on or even the culture you live in could greatly affect how one would answer this question! I used to live in a small town in Zambia. Our choice for buying clothes were either from a small PEP store or the local market. We had to work with what we had.

*Fashion?

Modesty is an important factor. Many clothes are not modest but are accepted as the 'norm'. I do not agree with the notion that a woman needs to dress according to what is in fashion! We need to break out of that mind set, it is actually ok to wear last seasons fashion! Do not look to mans choice of clothing but rather your conscience. The fashion trends actually lean towards enhancing sexuality by getting people to undress in public. This is horrific. We have been brainwashed to be persuaded to dress as pagans. Walking around half naked defying God and His purpose for clothing.

Gender distinction?

The Feminist movement has resulted in woman neglecting their God given role and has persuaded to take on a role on a man. Which clearly is mocking God. The horrific consequences can be seen today. Often a woman who demands to take on a mans role in life can be spotted by their clothing. It is important to dress femininely.

Heart attitude?

What ever is in your heart will be reflected by what you say and how you act. The way in which you dress will reflect your heart attitude. Go before the Lord and examine your heart. Always check your motives for liking particular clothing and wanting to wear them.

Many times my husband sends me out to the shops to buy clothing and I often come home empty handed! I should now realise that he should be sending me to the material shop to buy a handful of patterns and material instead! I am not saying that you must never buy clothes from the shops. Just be wise in your purchases.

Why should our homes and the way that we dress be beautiful?

- It reflects our stewardship of our homes and clothes

- Reflects our heart attitudes.

- We are ambassadors for Christ. When an ambassador is representing their country in a strange land, the appearance of their homes and clothing are important.

We do know that this Godly woman also realises that it is not the adorning of the body which is important but the condition of her heart which is of the upmost importance!

Some important verses to look at regarding modesty, Please write them out:

*1 Corinthians 6:19-20

*1 Corinthians 10:31

*Proverbs 11:22

*1 Timothy 2:9-10

*Romans 14:8

*Romans 14:19-21

*Romans 12:2

*Proverbs 31:30

Recommended Reading:

*The Look, does God really care what I where? by Nancy Leigh Demoss

*Christian modesty and the Public undressing of America by Jeff Pollard

Jesus Calls the Disciples - Kids Corner

Opening Prayer:

Thank you Lord for giving us another day to learn more about you. Forgive us for sinning against you. Please give us new hearts and ears to hear you. Amen.

Songs:

1. I will make you fishers of men

2. He is Lord

Story:

Jesus calls the Disciples

Reference:

Matthew 4:18-22. Matthew 9:9. Mark 1:16-20.

Props:

Picture in "Word and Song Bible" & "The bible for toddlers". A calling trumpet (From Activity).

(Show picture) Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (Who is called Peter) and Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea because they were fishermen catching fish. Jesus said to them, (Use trumpet) "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed Jesus!

They carried on walking and they saw two other brothers, James and John. They were in a boat mending nets with their father who's name was Zebedee. Jesus called them. (Use trumpet) Come and follow me. James and John immediately left their father, the hired servants and the boat and followed Jesus!

(Show picture) Jesus came across a man named Matthew. He was a tax collector. He was sitting at the tax booth. Jesus said to him, (Use trumpet) "Follow me." And Matthew stood up and followed Jesus

Jesus called 12 disciples. They were (Use trumpet) Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, another James Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas. These twelve men became very close friends with Jesus. Jesus taught them many things which are recorded in the bible.

Jesus called the twelve disciples to follow him. Jesus also calls you to follow him. He calls you to repent and be obedient to Gods word.

Questions:

1. Who did the calling?

2. What did Jesus tell the men to do?

3. How quickly did the men leave what they were doing to follow Jesus?

4. Does the Lord call us to follow Him?

Memory verse:

"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Activity: Making fishers trumpets

Need: *1 Long cardboard roll for each child (2 toilet paper rolls cellotaped together)

* Coloured paper

* Glue

1. Cover roll in one coloured sheet of paper.

2. Cut out lots of fish shapes.

3. Stick the fishes on the rolls.

4. Get the children to call to one another using their "Trumpets".

Lesson done by Natalie Rogers

Boys painting with cut veggies

Blessed to Give

"She opens her hand to the poor and

reaches out her hands to the needy."

Proverbs 31:20

Who is internationally recognized as being very kind and generous towards the poor and the needy? Is there someone you know personally who is very generous towards others?

Did Mother Theresa, Princes Diana or even Opera come to mind for the reputation of being very kind? Was it your mother, sister, mother-in-law, friend, neighbor or someone at church that you thought about?

Let us get to the bottom of this verse to find out who is practicing Biblical kindness to the poor and needy and lets make sure that we are being kind to others in the way that the Lord will have us do.

Dissecting the verse:

Proverbs 31:20 is a very straightforward verse. It means simply what it states. The Godly woman will be found giving to the poor. I would like to look at the following two words: "open" and "reaches".

"OPEN": This is stated in the dictionary as being frank and communicative and not given to deception or concealment. To apply this to our verse, our hand must be open, not closed. Our hand must give without wanting anything in return. Our open hand must be an honest one, not one with alterer motives. When opening our hand, we do it quietly as we see the need arise, we are not clapping them together to be noticed.

"REACHES": This is stated in the dictionary to stretch out an arm in a specific direction. The act of stretching your arm in a specific direction means that there is a planned action to reach for something specific. The action of reaching is done over a distance, there is required thought, action and effort involved.

From our study of the Proverbs 31 woman we have noticed that the woman does ensure that her family has had their needs met. This verse would be an over flow from meeting her families needs to meeting the needs of the poor.

After meditating on this verse, I have discovered that there are two groups of people that fall under the poor and needy category. They are Christians and people who do not know Christ as their saviour.

MERCY WORK TOWARDS OTHER CHRISTIANS

Let us read about what Jesus said will happen at the final judgement:

And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Then the righteous will answer him saying, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Matthew 25:33-40

We can see so much from these verses. Firstly, I must tackle the first issue.

Salvation by works

Salvation is a gift from God. It can not be earned in any way at all. We also do not keep our salvation by works. From Matthew 25, we see that the sheep were not amazed by the fact that they were put on the Kings right side. Why? They had received assurance of their salvation before hand. It is the fact that the King calls them blessed because of their good works. This shows that the sheep were not doing the good works in order to be saved but were doing the good works as a fruit of being saved. This clearly shows their motive for good works were not to earn salvation.

What are the good works that are commend by the King?

1. "I was hungry and you gave me food" Matthew 25:35 (food to the hungry)

2. "I was thirsty and you gave me drink" Matthew 25:35 (drink to the thristy)

3. "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" Matthew 25:35

(open person & home)

4. "I was naked and you clothed me" Matthew 25:36 (clothes, blankets etc)

5. "I was sick and you visited me" Matthew 25:36 (visiting and medicine)

6. "I was in prison and you came to me" Matthew 25:36

(supporting the persecuted for the faith)

Why we must do the above mentioned acts of charity

The most important reason is that Christ has carried out the exact things for us! Let have a look at these amazing parrelles to the points in the previous paragraph:

1. We were hungry and Jesus said "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry" (John 6:35)

2. We were thirsty and Jesus said "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." (John 7:37)

3. We were strangers and it is written "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of you evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death" (Col. 1:21-22a)

4. We were dressed in filthy rags (sin) and the Lord clothed us in robes of righteousness, "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 13:14)

5. Our souls were sick with sin, Jesus came, "Healing every disease and sickness" (Matt. 4:23).

6. Jesus frees us from sin, sets the captive free, "proclaim freedom for the prisoners" (Luke 4:18)

Who must we be opening our hands to and reaching out to?

Our question is answered in the following passage:

".....Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of

the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Matthew 25:40

It is clear that we need to open and reach out to those who are in need, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

MERCY WORKS TOWARDS THE UNSAVED

Should we then show kindness towards the unsaved poor and needy people? Of course! The motive will be slightly different in this case. You should use the opportunity of helping the poor and needy to share the gospel with them. This is very important. Many people do "good things", such as Opera, but it is all pointless in eternity as the gospel is not given. Do not misunderstand me, the poor and needy need help physically, but their eternal destination is far more important. On the flip side, we should not give the gospel and leave someone to freeze in the cold or starve to death. Physical needs must be seen to as well.

SUMMARY

I would say that the godly woman in Proverbs 31:20 would be showing kindness to her brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need. She would be building relationships with them to discover physical needs and also spiritual needs and would be by Gods Grace seeing that the needs are met. She would also be reaching out to strangers as she understands the need for them to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet their physical needs.

WHEN THE GODLY WOMAN BECOMES A WIDOW

Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted and has devoted herself to every good work.

1 Timothy 4:9,10

This verse show how important it is to be involved in helping the poor and needy. If you find yourself as a widow with no family left, the church would then see to your care. See the qualifications for a godly woman in this verse:

*having a reputation for good works

*brought up children

*shown hospitality

*washed the feet of the saints

*cared for the afflicted

*devotion to good works

CONCLUSION

Let us be woman who are open handed to the poor and who reach out to the needy. Who are concerned not only for physical well being but also for others spiritually. Let our testimony of a devotion to good works cause others to praise the Lord and cause them to give thanks. Let our good works cause people to look past us and to our saviour, Jesus Christ. Remember that we are reflecting how the Lord has served us and we are to serve others to please the Lord and not men.

HEART PROBING QUESTIONS by Elizabeth George

1. This womans heart is involved too. The verbs "extends" and "reaches out" suggests that her giving stretches as far as her means will allow. What do these scriptures tell us that God desires to be at the core of our hearts?

-Deuteronomy 15:7-8

-Proverbs 11:25

-Proverbs 19:17

-Proverbs 22:9

-Micah 6:8

2. How do these "Sisters in Mercy" encourage you to a greater heart of kindness and compassion?

-The widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)

-The Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8-11)

-Dorcas (Acts 9:36-39)

Written By Natalie Rogers