“Give and it will be given unto you,” said Jesus. But it does not end there. He continued His promise by adding, “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

As we come to the close of our “Seeds of Wisdom” there can be no more fitting words for us to consider than the words in the last verse of Proverbs: “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” God does indeed reward those who are faithful to His Word, those who follow His instructions and those who minister to the needs of family, friends and others.

This “wife of noble character” did many “good things.” As a result of her godly living and disciplined life, she is to be recognized and rewarded by being “praised at the city gate.” The city gate is where the husband had been recognized for his wife of “noble character.” But, now the recognition is focused on her for a life of selfless-service, family-focus and faithfulness.

Previously, he was recognized for her faithfulness to God and bringing honor to his name. Now, it is her turn to be praised. Might it be that it was her husband who led the chorus of praise at the city gate? “Let’s give a shout for my wife of ‘noble character!’ Let’s give her the recognition she deserves!”

This is no ordinary woman: she is a “gracious woman who attained honor.” What a model wife and mother! What a tribute to a life well lived! What an example for all women!

Boaz once said to Ruth: “And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsman know you are a woman of noble character.”

Prayer:  God, bless all women everywhere who seek to honor You, their husbands and children as women of “noble character.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

One important responsibility that many husbands seem to neglect is giving praise to their wives. Their comments made to others are often critical, unkind, unnecessary and unbecoming. In fact, much to my disappointment, I have listened while some husbands have made ugly statements about their wives to other men and even to large groups.

The disgust of degrading one’s wife is not whether or not the statements have any degree of truth in them, but what right does a husband have to criticize her publicly? What has he done to diminish the beauty and elegance of the bride he chose to marry? Has he been supportive and demonstrated sacrificial love? Where has the “love of his life” gone? And what did he do to “injure” the person he “could not live without?” How God must grieve when such behavior occurs.

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all,” would be encouraging words to any wife. Set aside false measures of attainment for a moment and overlook flaws and faults. Kind words and “husbandly help” and support can solve most problems in a relationship. Too often wives do their very best only to be criticized and condemned and not offered help.

In my many years as a pastor and family counselor, a common denominator in failed relationships was criticism and condemnation. It did not matter what the root causes were, one or the other would seize on a symptom and enlarge it beyond any possibility of resolution and the result led to disaster. How sad!

Consider the rewards of praise. We all need it. We all want it. The demands of managing a home and raising children are often dumped on the wife and when expectations are unmet, criticism begins, praise ends and families unravel unnecessarily.

Prayer: Lord, enable husbands to search for ways to praise their “helpmates” and not hurt or harm them by wicked words. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Whenever we had any need, we would say “Ma!” If we faced a problem, were in trouble, had a banged up knee or a cut or bruise, we would still say “Ma.” Often it would be “Thanks, Ma” or “Please, Ma?” even “Ma, why me?” or “Ma! I need help!” But all of us called her “Ma.” It contained feelings of warmth and comfort, reassurance in times of trouble and difficulty, or happy smiles and laughing voices on special occasions. Now it brings precious memories of a saint reading her Bible, kneeling quietly in prayer for her children, or leading a large number of children from Garfield Elementary School to Broadway Baptist Church for a Child Evangelism class. She deserved to be called blessed!

Solomon raised the bar on motherhood to its highest level when he wrote, “Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also and he praises her.” This verse suggests a scene at a banquet or special gathering when children gather together and publicly announce to the world that their mother is worthy of being called “Blessed.” It is not a term that is used to praise God. Its strict use is for one person to praise another person for some outstanding accomplishment. In this instance, it is children praising their mother for her influence on and in their lives by imparting God’s wisdom as their foundation for successful living and the benefits they have received from applying it to their lives.

The husband is also part of the celebration and “he also praises her.” What a beautiful picture of a family! Too often we hear of dysfunctional families, broken families, single-parent families, blended families and neglected families - every type of family imaginable except families that have a mother who is called “blessed” by her children and “praised” by her husband.

We desperately need homes filled with such mothers.

Prayer: God, give us Christian homes! Homes where the Bible is taught and lived and homes filled with Your love! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

Imagine what it would be like to go to bed at night and wonder if the sun would be there to greet us in the morning. Or, to fear that the sun would stand still and scorch the earth because the universe lost its way. Or, to see a drought begin and worry that the rain will never come again.

We live in an orderly, predictable universe. It’s the way God created and planned it to be. It is, simply stated, a picture of a God who is faithful, dependable, reliable and trustworthy. Who He was yesterday He will be today and when the sun sets this evening, it will not go into hiding but will rise again tomorrow because of the enduring faithfulness of God.

Faithfulness is important because it gives us the assurance of stability and structure. It creates trust and the possibility of planning. Though we may not desire some of the “contents” that come with predictability, at least we can prepare for them.

God’s covenant with the children of Israel gave them the assurance of His faithfulness. Other gods were created by men but our God is the One who created man. He promised to guide, guard and grant us mercy, grace and salvation because of His great love for His creation.

“Wisdom” speaks of this God, to be sure. But, to be faithful to Him in all things and pass this wisdom on to children as mothers and mentors is something our God desires to be an important priority in Christian homes. “She speaks with God’s wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”

Prayer:  Father, we pray for Your strength and dignity to fill all who are called by You to be mothers and mentors. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

While growing up I remember an advertisement that was very popular: “Clothing makes the man.” It’s a slogan from the past that has been overcome by ads that are much different. Each time I heard it, I would stop, look at what I was wearing and wonder if it would be a help or a hindrance to what I wanted to accomplish.

Though the slogan is a thing of the past, clothes continue to contribute to the opinions others form about us. And we, also, do the same. More often than not we judge others by their clothing.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come,” are words that describe the “woman of noble character.” How do we identify the garments of “strength and dignity” and is it ever wise to “laugh at the future?”

“Men,” God’s Word reminds us, “look at what people wear. God looks at the person’s heart.” Character and values are something that flow from the inside of a person. The essential qualities described here refer to God at work in the lives of those who surrender their lives to Him. Strength comes from His presence within and dignity is the result of being who He wants us to be so we can walk in a “just pride” because we are His very own children.

When we walk in His strength and not our own and when we realize the benefits of being “His child,” there is no reason to “fear the days to come.” We are in “good hands,” His hands and that is what matters most.

Prayer: Often, Father, we fail to recognize all that we can have through You. Open our heart to Your greatness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Where do service and charity end? Certainly, not in the home. Selfish homes produce selfish children and God’s Kingdom and God’s world suffers. What can be done to change this condition?

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

There is an obvious route that travels from the head to the heart to the hands. God’s Word enters our lives through our head. We hear the Word preached and taught and read and meditate on the Word each day. But it must not stop there. It must reach into our hearts - the very center of our lives and then move outward through our hands in service and charity to others. It’s the head, heart, hands conception.

What is in our hearts always comes out in our lives. Nobel character is of little good if the character is an end in itself. In fact, the sign of our character is seen in what we do in our homes first and then God’s world. One pastor said, “A saving faith is always seen in serving others.” If we are saved, we will serve.

There can be little doubt that our love for God is always seen in our attitude and actions toward those in need. Proverbs contains many warnings about those who refuse to be charitable and in fact reminds us that giving to the poor is the same as lending to God.

“Open arms and extended” hands, however, is much more than giving “things.” It is giving one’s self. It includes time, talents and teaching God’s way to others.

Prayer: Father, we owe so much to others because of what You have given us. May we all serve sacrificially! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

There is a dramatic difference between the gifts parents can give their children and what God can give His children. Often we parents think we are doing great things for our children when we “endow” them with the “things” of this world. But those things, fortunately and unfortunately, have their limitations.

Financial and material gifts that are passed on to children have limitations. But God’s spiritual gifts have no limitations. So, from his God given wisdom Solomon brought this important fact to our attention: “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” We, as parents, cannot give our children what only God can give them: a prudent wife! What we give our children by way of inheritance is often controlled by legal and social contracts. But a “prudent wife” - which most parents would agree - is far more important for a son’s wellbeing and can only come from God.

If we, as parents, want our sons to have a “prudent wife” is there something we can do? Is there a method or plan that we are to follow? Do we go to church and find one who is “faithful” to the Lord in all things? Perhaps there are good places to start. However, prayer is the best place to begin. We may bless our sons materially but it is beyond our power to bless them spiritually and be assured that their wives are prudent: filled with God’s wisdom and bringing honor to His name by godly living. To find a “prudent wife” is a result of prayer, seeking God’s guidance and will and learning this fact from an early age.

But there is also a parental responsibility that we may easily overlook. A “wife who is prudent” does not just happen. She is the result of a godly mother who sets the example of a prudent wife by word and deed. Mothers shape the attitudes of “prudent wives.”

Prayer:  Lord, all parents are involved and responsible to shape the lives and choices of our children. May we seek Your wisdom! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 19:14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.

One of the most beautiful passages in Scripture is found in Luke’s Gospel. It is called “The Magnificat.” It with Mary proclaiming, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” The word soul is a special word and in Hebrew is used to reveal or describe a person’s entire identity. It is the very essence – or being or character – of a person. In this one word, Mary reveals that all of her is committed to the Lord. The sum and substance of her life was to worship God in all of His Majesty!

If we want to study the smallest particle of God’s creation we put it under a microscope to magnify it. This enlarges, or expands, every detail of the particle so we can discover its intricacies, its subtleties and its structure. Mary was determined to put God under her “microscope” so she could understand Him personally, intimately and completely.

In her “song” she magnified her Lord – not her Son. Often we become overly concerned about the way our children look rather than what they look at. Not so Mary. She recognized her responsibility as a mother and knew that if God were first in her life, He would be first in her child’s life. She had her priorities right.

God entrusted Mary with the Messiah because He was at the center of her life and knew that her Son would be nurtured in what matters most in the life of a child: knowing, understanding and following His will.

Prayer: We ask, Lord, that all mothers everywhere will recognize the importance of being a mother and the trust You place in them to raise children to know You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

As her son was about to leave home for college, his mother asked, “Robert, will you promise me one thing?”

“Yes, ma’am, I will,” he answered.

“Promise me,” she begged, “that you will read one chapter from the Bible each day.”

“I will,” he agreed.

That promise led to his coming to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Later, Robert Moffat went to Africa as a missionary where he labored for his Lord for forty-five years. He became famous as an educator, explorer, evangelist and translator of the Bible.

What better request can any mother ask of a child than to be faithful in reading God’s Word while attending college. Students are confronted from every direction with challenges to their faith, tempted by friends to engage in behaviors that cause self-destruction, provided with endless opportunities that may destroy the plans God has for them.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul expressed a true sense of urgency and warning for him. He knew that people who believed in God would be misunderstood, challenged and tempted because of their faith. So Paul encouraged him to remain faithful to what he had been taught, because God’s Word is the only faithful guide.

Prayer: Father, parents have such a responsibility in raising their children. Grant them Your wisdom, always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12-16