The Virtuous Wife

The Virtuous Wife

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Are We Failing to Help Those in Real Need?

Giving, charity is not optional for believers 

JUDGE -- (enters wearing black robe, crosses to podium or bench, pounds gavel) This special session of criminal court will now come to order. Send in the defendant.
WIDOW -- (enters, crosses to bench)
JUDGE -- The charge is petty theft. How does the defendant plead?
WIDOW -- Your Honour, I have already pleaded guilty at the criminal courts building. Why are you making me plead guilty again here in church? Are you trying to embarrass me?
JUDGE -- Just answer the charge.
WIDOW -- Very well. As before, I plead guilty.
JUDGE -- Before I pass judgement, I need to ask about your personal circumstances. Are you married?
WIDOW -- No. My husband died about a year ago.
JUDGE -- Do you have any children from that marriage?
WIDOW -- Yes, as I told you at the courthouse, I have three children, ages 5, 3 and 1.
JUDGE -- Where are you employed?
WIDOW -- Your Honour, I already answered all these questions before....
JUDGE -- Just answer the questions, I want these people to hear the answers.
WIDOW -- Very well.
JUDGE -- Where are you employed?
WIDOW -- I'm not employed. I took a minimum wage job a few weeks after my baby was born, but the company went out of business about six months ago.
JUDGE -- Couldn't you get another job?
WIDOW -- Well, yes, but my car was repossessed and I didn't have a way to get my children to and from the day care center during the winter months.
JUDGE -- Are you familiar with this church?
WIDOW -- Yes, this is my church. I'm a member here. We've been going to this church since before my children were born.
JUDGE -- Did any of the members of this church know that you were unemployed?
WIDOW -- Yes, my family has been on the weekly prayer list for several weeks. They've been praying for us.
JUDGE -- Tell the court what you stole and why you stole it.
WIDOW -- Your Honour, these are my friends. Do I have to...
JUDGE -- You have to.
WIDOW -- Very well. I stole some beans and rice from a grocery store.
JUDGE -- If you're going to risk going to jail, wouldn't it have been wiser to steal something more valuable?
WIDOW -- I didn't need anything more valuable. I needed food.
JUDGE -- Why?
WIDOW -- Why?
JUDGE -- Yes, tell the court why you needed food.
WIDOW -- We were hungry. The unemployment compensation only lasted six months and I didn't have enough money to pay the mortgage payment AND buy food too. I sold nearly all my personal possessions, including my wedding ring, in order to buy food, but even that money ran out.
JUDGE -- Couldn't you refinance your house?
WIDOW -- We don't have any equity in the house.
JUDGE -- Well, at least you have a place to live.
WIDOW -- Not for long. I haven't been able to make the mortgage payments regularly. The bank is foreclosing.
JUDGE -- Well, I think the court has enough information to make its ruling. Since the defendant pleaded guilty on the charge of petty theft, I hereby fine the defendant $5000.
WIDOW -- $5000!?
JUDGE -- Yes, and because your church family knew about your need and didn't reach out to help you, I hereby order a collection to be taken from the members of this church in the amount of $5000 to be paid in cash to this widow.
WIDOW -- This is really embarrassing.
JUDGE -- YOU are not the one who should be embarrassed. The church of God is not instructed to PRAY for orphans and widows in their distress but to provide for their needs. Prayer was never meant to be an excuse for failing to act. This court is adjourned. (gavels, exits with widow)

Deuteronomy 15
7 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,
8 but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.
9 Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the Lord against you, and it become sin among you.
10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.
11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’
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