I’ve heard it said that an entrepreneur is a problem solver. One who finds a need (or niche) and then finds a way to fill it. Proverbs 31 is a favorite scripture of mine and I have heard it studied, dissected and applied in many ways. Recently I was reading it again and saw it in a light of some business ideas I have been studying. I want to share how it can be helpful as a guide to an entrepreneur or business person. I am speaking here primarily to married Christian women that are married to Godly men. That being said, if that is not you please keep reading as you will still find many nuggets of truth to apply to your business. If you don’t see yourself as a business person or entrepreneur then read on and apply these truths to your job or career.
1) KNOW YOUR WORTH! The Entrepreneurial Christian woman has worth FAR ABOVE rubies (vs.10) and dollars too for that matter. Your entrepreneurial venture can not be simply a monetary venture. If your are going to just trade your time for cash you might as well work a job. You must have a deeper value and reason for becoming an entrepreneur. Consider carefully why you do what you do. Take some time to prayerfully write out a mission statement for your venture and review it often. You will see money in it’s proper place in a bit but you are worth so much more so impact your world in a younique way!
2) KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT! We see her relationship with her husband is stable for the long haul. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life (vs. 11-12). You cannot neglect your family relationships as you grow your business. You have to keep your priorities straight here. If the hubs doesn’t trust you to make wise decisions your business growth will be hampered at the very least. Cultivate and nourish that trust. Ask his advise when you need a second opinion. Be willing to accept his advice as well. Ask him to pray for you to have wisdom in your decision making. You are life partners and what you do will affect him.
3) THIS WILL REQUIRE WORK! Please don’t think you will go into business so you “won’t have to work”! This is a major reason why many “WANtrepreneurs” never get anything off the ground. Look at the verbs in these verses 13 & 14; “seeketh”, “worketh”, and “bringeth”. None of those words equate to “no work”! The “make-a-million-while-you-sleep” is not all there is to the story.I can assure you that there was work before that “million-while-you-sleep”. You must expect to do some diligent work, both with your hands and your head. You may need to seek out some new information to be able to do it.
4) PUT OTHERS FIRST! Verse 15 shows an entrepreneur how to keep the main thing the main thing. She is serving others! This is a review of the “why” in her venture. A daily reminder of why she is working so hard in what she is doing. She is bringing provisions to her family and those that have ministered to her. If we fail to put other’s first in our business our efforts will have no real value.
5) DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE! Verse 16 speaks volumes about doing your research. She “considers”, does her “due diligence”, worked her home-work! Don’t jump on board hastily with a new venture of any kind. However; once she has done due-diligence she moves on it and “buys (action) it” AND “plants (action) it”. You can not get “analysis paralysis”. Narrow your focus “consider” something that speaks to your soul and aligns with your “why”. At some point you have to quit reading, planning and considering and start taking some action.
6) MAKE YOURSELF STRONG! I believe this is two for one here. She not only takes care of herself physically in verse 17 but she adds to her mind and soul, strength and abilities. You must keep up the effort to maintain your own health and strength as well as grow in your spirit and understanding. Just be honest with yourself and do something about it. Sweeping dirt under the rug here hurts you the most in the end. It reduces your abilities to care for others and puts you in a position to be cared for by others sooner rather than later.
7) BE EXCELLENT! In verse 18 She “preceiveth that her merchandise is good.” She is able to encourage herself that her job is well done. Become excellent at something rather than good at many. You should not be selling something if you don’t believe in it’s value. She is maintaining her (and her husband’s) good name with a quality product. No seconds out the door!
8) EMBRACE YOUR FEMININITY! In verse 19 s we see her laying “her hands to the spindle and her hands holding the distaff”. These terms mean a bit more than just parts of an old fashioned spinning wheel. The spindle and the distaff have come to mean the “female side” and “women’s work”. Don’t let becoming an entrepreneur make you loose your femininity. Take hold of those parts of you and embrace them. Let them by part of what you do! Don’t try to “play the man”. Do your work in your youniquely feminine way! Bring your feminine mindset to the table. Remain under the authority of your husband always.
9) BE CHARITABLE! Verse 20 has her helping the poor. There should always be enough for you to share. You should always look for the needs of the needy that you can fulfill. Don’t get so busy that you don’t have the time to see the needs around you and meet those you are able. Don’t let your pursuit of success cause you to ignore the needs of others. Create solutions to their problems.
10) !!!!!!!!!!!!!This next one is of utmost importance. As you are working to build an inheritance for your children make sure you have helped them to secure their place in the Kingdom of Heaven. Verse 21 says she has no fear of the snow for her household is covered in scarlet. How can you be covered in a color? This is not a material for covering but is a the blood of Jesus. Do all you can to see to it that your family makes heaven their home. Do not give into worry and fear hear!
11) BE HONORABLE BEFORE ALL! I believe verse 22 – 25 speaks of more than simply wearing nice clothes. These verses are about honor. She has given honor to her husband and she herself walks in dignity knowing she is a daughter of the King. She not only represents her husband when she is seen in public but she also represents her King. You must watch how you portray yourself to others. Many decisions involving money are made without honor. Do not fall into that trap. A part of you goes into your product. Notice she is actually that quality product and making a profit here too!
12) SHARE YOUR JOURNEY! In verse 26 she is sharing her wisdom! You will always find someone who can benefit from your successes and mistakes. We are all created to make disciples. Find a way to share it with kindness!