Parenting by the Book
STUDY 408
Text: Proverbs 31
19 April 2009
Dear Parents,
GROWING AFFLUENCE
The following text describes how the family situation has improved considerably.
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.Proverbs 31:15
1. Indications of affluence
a) The word “household” suggests that a number of people make up this household.
b) The word “handmaidens” suggests that maidservants are employed to help look after the household.
c) There must be enough affluence to be able to afford “maidservants”.
i) Maidservants were often “slave girls”.
ii) They have to be fed and housed.
iii) That would mean the family would have to have strong finances to upkeep maidservants.
d) Her investments must have contributed to the family’s affluence.
2. Affluence can but does not need to spoil a person
It is possible that success and affluence can spoil a person. However, this does not need to be the case at all. The following phrases tell us that she was not spoilt in the least.
a) “She also rises” in the night
i) This is a reference to the wee hours of the morning (“night”- darkness).
ii) She has not become lazy due to her wealth.
b) She “provides food for her household and a portion for her maidservants”
i) She looks after her maidservants responsibly.
ii) She takes personal care of the household details! She continues to be hardworking.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie