A Prudent Woman

Introduction

Proverbs 19:13-14

A little boy was attending his first wedding. After the service, his mother asked him, "Son, do you know how many women a man is allowed to marry?" "Sixteen," the boy responded. His mother was shocked. “What do you mean, 16?!” “It’s easy," the little boy said. "All you have to do is add it up, like the pastor said: 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer." I don’t think any of us can handle 16 women.

God’s ideal has always been one woman with one man for all of life.

In this passage, Solomon contrasts a quarrelsome wife with a prudent wife. A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping as her quarreling continues relentlessly. She is like an irritating mosquito buzzing in the night.

The opposite of a quarrelsome wife is not a submissive wife but a prudent wife. The dictionary defines “prudence” as “the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason; shrewdness in the management of affairs; or good judgment in the use of resources.” A prudent person is someone who knows how to deal with people and all kinds of circumstances. A prudent wife and mother is a highly capable woman who is an asset rather than a liability to her husband and children. What are some of the characteristics of a prudent woman?

I. A Prudent Woman Possesses Good Judgment and Discretion.

Prudent people think ahead. Proverbs 14:8 (NLV) indicates, “[The prudent] look ahead to see what is coming.” Most of us make decisions on the spot, without thinking through the implications. We make an impulse purchase then suffer financial stress later when the bill arrives. We join a club or accept a responsibility without considering how much of our time will be demanded. One earmark of prudence is to “look before we leap.”

My wife is a cautious person. Many times she has kept me from making a hasty decision. I have learned the hard way to trust her judgment. Ladies, I encourage you to help your husbands and children by being cautious. Ask God to help you. Seek Him everyday. Live as pleasing unto the Lord. The only way to have good judgment and discretion is by daily walking with the Lord.

II. A Prudent Woman Knows How To Manage Her Home

Listen to what Solomon writes in Proverbs 31:15, 17, and 27, “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Prudent women and mothers take precautions. They do not live in fear. They make plans like establishing an emergency fund, monitoring their investments, and doing maintenance on their homes. As Solomon indicated in Proverbs 31:16, 18, “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.”

While I was growing up my Mom was a good manager of her time. She typed for a court reporter and would spend 8 to 10 hours typing, but she always made sure the house was clean, clothes were washed, and food was prepared. As my brother and I got older, we got to help by washing the clothes and cleaning the house.

III. A Prudent Woman Possesses Practical Wisdom

The entire book of Proverbs tells us the great value of wisdom and the folly of foolishness. Proverbs 24:3 indicates, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.” In a day when homes are falling apart, we need prudent women, women who, through practical wisdom will look to their households and provide training for their children.

Prudent women give cautious answers. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 12:23 (NCV), “they don’t tell everything they know.” Jesus often withheld information, giving only partial or concealed answers. He was not being dishonest, but prudent. We do not have to tell everything we know. Children have not learned this art. Whatever a kid knows and thinks comes out of his mouth. I got an email this week entitled “Why We Love Children.” On the first day of school, a first grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents." A prudent woman knows what to say and what not to say. The wisest people give the shortest and quietest answers.

Prudent women study not only their household situation, but also the Word of God. Solomon noted in Proverbs 18:15, “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge.” Prudent women turn off the television and spend time with the Lord. The Bible tells us to study to show ourselves approved by God. I know godly women who spend hours studying God’s Word. Ladies, you would do well to find out who these women are and let them mentor you in the things of God.

Conclusion

A good wife/mother is absolutely necessary for the creation of a Godly home. A prudent wife is from the Lord. As Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 31:10-12, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”