(Proverbs 31:11)
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
(Proverbs 31:16)
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
(Proverbs 31:18)
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
(Proverbs 31:24)
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
(Proverbs 31:27)
I find it interesting that so many of these verses about the 'virtuous woman' deal with money issues. There are many more that mention the things she makes, but doesn't say she makes money from them.
A Christian wife and mother has many responsibilities in the home. One of the most important of these is in the area of finances. Today we will look at a few that may or may not directly linked to these passages about the 'virtuous woman.'
1. Give back to God. When we become Christians, we are bought by God. Why would we not give Him what He deserves? "Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." (Romans 13:7) Honor God by giving back to Him. 10% is what was given in the Old Testament and it is a good place to begin.
Another area that I struggle with sticking to the budget is eating out. I consider it my responsibility to have food on the table so that we don't eat out more than what is in the budget. Healthy meals are also a priority to me and they take time to prepare, so I'm working diligently to have them ready at meal times to avoid those eating out 'failures'.
6. Look closely at it if you work outside the home. Personally, I'm not against a woman working outside the home. I think it is unwise as a woman has a hard time being the Christian wife and mother she should be if she has another place and people pulling her time and attention away from where her priorities are. If you are working outside the home, carefully weigh everything. Dave Ramsey has this chart in his book, Financial Peace Revisited:
Income:
Monthly Yearly
1,500 18,000
minus -
Taxes and payroll deductions 550 6,600
TAKE-HOME PAY 950 11,400
minus --
More extensive wardrobe 100 1,200
Extra dry cleaning 45 540
Extra mileage depreciates car 50 600
Day care for two kids @ $65ea./wk 560 6,720
Extra meals out due to fatigue 50 600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REAL NET INCOME 95 1,140
I'm quite sure that Mr. Ramsey was being pretty tight fisted on the eating out part. I know if it were me and I were working, I would spend much more on eating out in a month! Not to mention that the quick-to-prepare meals cost extra than taking time to cook healthy meals. Honestly, I'm not sure how a woman working outside the home makes much money when you count all the cost! Weigh everything carefully when you consider working outside the home.