SF454 - AGODLY MOTHER (Proverbs 31 10-31)

PROVERBS 31:10‑31

INTRODUCTION

A GOOD MOTHER'S INFLUENCE

Abraham Lincoln declared, "No man is poor who has had a godly mother."

A Spanish proverb reads, "An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest."

Someone else has said, "The instruction received at Mother's knee, together with the pious and sweet souvenirs of the fireside, are never effaced entirely form the soul."

What does it take to be a godly woman and mother?

Is it keeping a certain schedule?

Is it reading certain books?

Is it keeping a certain type of house?

It is something much more important than these things.

It is a character shaped and molded by God

Solomon closes the book of Proverbs by describing The Model Mom

Five Character Traits

1A.      SHE WAS LOYAL

1B.      She Was Faithful (31:11)

"full confidence" = complete trust

2B.      She Was A Blessing  ‑ Not A Burden (31:11b‑12)

HELD BY LOVE

In a cemetery in New Orleans stands a monument that attracts much attention.  It was designed to represent a great ship at sea in the midst of a storm.  A mother and her daughter stand in the sinking vessel, and their faces display terror as they cling to each other.  The bronze plate on the monument says that the mother and the daughter, sole survivors of a large estate, were both drowned.  Upon their deaths, lawyers were faced with the question of who died first in the shipwreck.  After some deliberation, the court decided that the estate should be administered in the name of the daughter, figuring that she went down last.  They reasoned that the mother would have held her daughter in a place of safety and would have sacrificed her own life for her daughter.  Those officials recognized the strength of a mother's love.

3A.      SHE WAS A HARD WORKER

Seen in her ...

1B.      Eagerness (31:13‑15)

Willingly, pleasure; pleasant, purpose, eager

2B.      Energy (31:17‑18)

Strength, to work vigorously

3B.      Industry (31:27)

Idleness, lazy

3A.      SHE WAS A GOOD PROVIDER

1B.      Provides For Others (31:20)

Ø      Generous

2B.      Plans For Her Own (31:21)

Ø      Frugal

4A.      SHE WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE

1B.      In Her Appearance (31:22)

2B.      In Her Attitude (31:25)

3B.      In Her Advise (31:26)

5A.      SHE WAS A CHRISTIAN

1B.      Not Based On Works (31:29)

2B.      Based Solely On Faith (31:30)

CONCLUSION

A MOTHER'S SHAWL

A writer tells of visiting one who had given himself to the development of a great mine in the mountains of the West.  With evident delight the industrialist showed his guests his home and many treasures, but being a man of Christian humility he soon grew tired of speaking of his wealth.  "Come," he said, "I want to show you something that is really dear to me."  A special glow of joy seemed to light his face as he opened the door of a safe and took out a strongbox.  When the lid was lifted, not precious gems but only a little old gray shawl fringed with black met their gaze.  Carefully he unfolded the treasure.  "My mother wore this around her shoulders, and when she died it was the only thing I wanted," he said.  "It was a constant reminder to me of her prayers and the words from Scripture with which she admonished and comforted me.  The holy memories it brought to mind led me to seek Christ as my own Savior and Lord, and now it is my dearest possession.  As I look at it, the fragrance of her Christ‑filled life comes back to refresh my soul!"

James 4:8,10  Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double‑minded.... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.