Sunday Service: 19/03/2023
Supporting Scripture: Proverbs 31:~
Title of Message: Mothers are God’s Perfect Gift
Delivered by: Pastor Mercy
Today I want to talk about some qualities of a virtuous woman that we need to appreciate our women for.
Proverbs 31:28-29 says “Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.”
Who is this woman? Her name is, “MOTHER,” and she is a precious gift from God, as the next verse reveals: “Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain – but the woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” (Prov. 31:30).
What are the qualities of a mother who is truly a GIFT from God? I would like to mention four of them today, each one beginning with the letter of the word, “G-I-F-T”:
G – GRACIOUSNESS
A “Precious Gift” mother is one who is more concerned with the needs of others than she is for her own needs. She puts her family first; she puts those in need second and herself last. She is gracious and self-giving, not only in the words she speaks, but also in the deeds she does.
Prov. 31:14+15, 27, 21 +20 says: “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 watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness….She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet….She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.”
Scripture is giving us a picture of a woman who, from the rising to the setting of the sun is busy working, serving, cooking, buying, planting, and sewing. Benjamin Franklin (an American writer and scientist) once said, “Trouble springs from idleness.” And there is another saying that “The devil finds work for idle hands.” If you are lazy, you get into trouble. ‘A Precious Gift Mother’ works very hard to care for her family. She is gracious to her household, she is gracious to her family, she is gracious to the needy, she is a woman of GRACE!
I – INTELLIGENCE
A “Precious Gift” mother is not just Gracious, she is also Intelligent, wise, industrious; she not only manages her family well, but also, her finances.
Prov. 31:13, 16-19, 24-25 “She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. 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, Her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle…. She makes linen garments and sells them; She supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honour are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.”
That doesn’t just speak to her willingness to work. It speaks to her wisdom. This is a description of a strong, intelligent woman, who balances her family and business responsibilities well; she is an accomplished seamstress, chef, vineyard keeper and fashion designer. This mother speaks with wisdom, she is not a gossiper who hangs over the fence half the day. She is a pleasant talker, not a person continually complaining and moaning about everything. She is a woman of INTELLIGENCE!
Some mothers are busy bodies, always poking their noses in other people’s business. They don’t make time for their families. Some of them even lead their children astray. E.g., woman who asked her daughter to go and prostitute herself for money. If you have a mother who is wise, you must value her.
F – FAITHFULNESS
A “Precious Gift” mother is Faithful. She is faithful to her husband, her family, and her God.
Prov. 31:10-12, 25, 17, 30 “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…. Strength and honour are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come…. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
Faithfulness is one of the most important qualities to God. The greatest words anyone could hear from God’s lips are, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt. 25:21). It is not our ability that counts with God…but our availability. God expects us to be faithful to Him and our families. A godly mother is a woman of faithfulness. She has a 6th sense. How many times have you said, “Mum, can you …” and before you finish your sentence she says, “I already took care of it.” She does that because she is trustworthy and dependable.
Guys, let me ask you a question, when was the last time you had to worry about your wife making eyes at some other man? You don’t! Because you can trust her to remain committed to you.
T – TENDERNESS
A “Precious Gift” mother is Tender-Hearted, overflowing with love and kindness. She thinks tenderly, speaks tenderly, acts tenderly. Her tenderness is described in the NT this way: “Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude. Love is not easily provoked, it thinks no evil, it does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth…. love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…love never fails!” (1 Cor. 13:4-8a). Prov. 31:26 simply says, “she opens her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Kindness or tenderness is such a way of life for her, that it has become a law. She is a woman of TENDERNESS!
How should we respond to a “Precious Gift” of a Mother? With thankfulness. First, let’s thank God for giving us the precious gift of mothers (especially those mothers who have gone to be with Him!); second, thank your MOTHER for being a woman of graciousness, intelligence, faithfulness, and tenderness. If she has failed in any of these areas, forgive her, if she has excelled, honour her. (Prov. 31:28+31)
“Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her.
If your wife, or your Mom, loves God … you’ve got it good. Love her and praise her for her DEDICATION in helping to build a Christian home.