A Proverbial 31 Study: How To Bring In Income As A Keeper Of The Home?

“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Proverbs 31:31

Something I often run into with readers whenever I write about God calling us women to be the keepers of our homes, as instructed of us in Titus 2, is quick offense from women who work outside of their homes and feel as if there is no other way for them to make a living.

Today, I write to you ladies and also to the other inquiring women who have already been wanting to be home to tend to their families and have been led by the Holy Spirit to transition from working for man and earthly treasures to serving their own homes while storing up heavenly treasures.

“Well, Mrs. Murrell, heavenly treasures don’t pay my bills!”

Oh, but sister, while you’re storing up heavenly treasures in your obedience to Christ, you too can wisely make and save money. Today, we take a deeper look at the Proverbial 31 woman – God’s example to us of what a true virtuous woman looks like in the everyday life.

First things first, if you are married and your husband wants you to work… you work. You may talk with him and wisely reason with him, but his decision at the end of the day stands. God’s words, not mine (Ephesians 5:22). If you want an example of what respectful reasoning looks like before your men, read the book of Esther or Ruth.

Let’s take a look at the Proverbial 31 woman…

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Despite what anyone says, any woman who reverently submits herself to the Lord can be just as the proverbial 31 woman – yes, sister, you too.

So let’s get to the good stuff – how to make an income from home?

• Use your every skill to the glory of God.

I truly believe God has given us all different gifts, talents, quirks, and interests. Even those of you who may think you have none. If you do not believe you have any, find somethings that interest you and learn one – or two. I do not have many talents, but I use the few I have to the best of my ability. Are you good with taking photos and editing? A photography business is an easy set-up with very low overhead cost once you get started and get the word out. Are you ex-military or simply enjoy working out? Start a fitness training group and/or sell easy, but effective meal plans to clients. Are you crafty and enjoy creating artsy things? There are so many money-makers available to you such as selling paintings, sculptures, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, soaps, or even, as I, candles. People enjoy hand-made knick knacks. If you lack inspiration and need ideas check out DIYs on Pinterest. Are you good at cooking and baking? People love homemade delights as well. I personally enjoy canning and preserving foods and I know at most farmer’s markets those type of goods sell fast. If you know a thing or two about gardening or farming you can not only help sustain your own household and cut back on your own grocery cost, but also sell your produce and eggs and even animals for great turnaround. Love to write? Become a blogger. Though I blog for free, you can blog for income too. You can buy things in bulk and sell them. You can start a printer service for people who need large quantities of things printed but do not have the means to do it. The possibilities are truly endless. There is something out there for you too.

• Look for jobs online.

Are you good with children or already work around kids? Tutor, which can also be done online, or look into starting a small home daycare. Are you tech-savvy and enjoy helping others? There are so many online jobs available, especially during these strange times, for customer service, virtual assistance, and even social media promoters. Are you a nurse or medical professional? Ever thought about taking up being a midwife or becoming a doula for expecting and and new mothers? If you are a certified counselor, you can start up or transition to a practice from home. Do you speak more than one language? Become a translator and/or language teacher from home. Are you a fast typist? Websites and businesses are always looking for typists for transcripts and data entry. If you are great with graphic designs and making logos and vinyls, try Fiverr – a freelance website for anyone with innovative ideas. Whatever your education background or even trade interests, the internet is such a resourceful tool. If you need further guidance here, feel free to message me.

• It’s all doable.

Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God, and do not give up at the first obstacle. Everything takes time and, if you are truly determined, you will press through and make amends for the sake of blessing your family in the long run with your keeping of and ever-presence in the home. Keep in mind that God would not have placed it in the Bible if it was not doable in Him. The proverbial 31 woman I am sure did not always have the skills and talents she did, all these things come from much practice and learning and doing. So go do! For the Bible says in Proverbs 14:23, “In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only to penury.”

Some extra wisdom.

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”

Proverbs 13:4

I read a post the other day that said:

“We live in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, but apparently no one can afford it.

We live in the most leisurely country in the history of the world, but apparently no one has the time.

We live in the most educated country in the history of the world, but apparently no one has the ability.”

Simply put: There are a lot of excuses we produce when people out there with way less are getting up everyday and doing whatever it takes to get things done.

My family is worth every sacrifice my husband and I make for me to keep my home on a day-to-day basis, including and not limited to, homeschooling (which I will write about in more depth another time). I do not mind a smaller home on this earth or to live frugally or to cut back on the wants of life that I do not need. Their souls mean so much more to me than silly vanity and appearances for the world. Has the Lord blessed us in doing so? Absolutely! He blesses obedience, more spiritually than materialistic. A quote I love by Elisabeth Elliot is “God has promised to supply our needs. What we do not have now, we do not need now.” God takes care of His! There is no need to worry. If He takes care of the fowls of the air, the beasts of the fields, and the lilies and flowers that toil about, then how much more does He take thought and provide for the needs of His children whom He loves and adores (Matthew 6:25-34).

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” – Psalm 37:25

If you are yet to be married, then you are not considered to have to keep your home as a married a woman, but that does not mean you cannot start now brainstorming ideas and putting them into place if you do eventually marry. Learn now to be wise in your decisions, including financially (Proverbs 31:16) . Learn now new skills that are practical and can be helpful to you and others (Proverbs 31:13,19,22,24,). Learn now selflessness (Proverbs 31:11-12,15,20, 27). Learn now to go the extra mile for those you love (Proverbs 31:14-15). Learn now to be wise with your time (Proverbs 31:15,18). Learn now to be a blessing your heavenly husband even before your earthly husband and children join in their praise for you (Proverbs 31:28-30). Learn now, beloved, to let your own works praise you in the gates (Proverbs 31:31).

As I have said before, the job of the homemaker is the least outwardly praised, but the most heavenly rewarding out of all jobs outside the home for a wife. The world cheers on women who go to work for big companies and their employers (often complete strangers), but the wife who stays home to keep her own home and serve her own family, husband, and children is often shunned. I know some women at the present time cannot work from home, but for those of you who can (which is most if they truly sat down and planned it through with their husbands who must also be on board with it) — consider it. Pray about it. Don’t worry about what people will think. Women don’t realize how doable, frugal, and glorified by God keeping our own homes really is. I could do many things – and have, but nothing has ever satisfied my soul as much as tending to my own family. I willingly lay down my life for those the Lord place in my path. I don’t care to make it to the top of any worldly kingdoms that will tumble into the sand, but to let my “own works praise me in the gates” of heaven. That my Father in heaven be well-pleased.

“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” – Proverbs 14:1

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” – Titus 2:3-5

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” – 1 Timothy 5:8

“He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!” – Psalms 113:9

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

So what is the excuse now? For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. May the heart of God safely trust in you and may you through obedience and reverent fear to His Word do Him good and not evil all the days of your life (Proverbs 31:12-13).

With much love and many prayers,

The Redeemed Wife

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”

Psalm 90:17