INTRODUCTION:

A. Mark 14:8,9 - “She hath done what she could.”
B. These are words for us as Christian women to live by today.
 God will not hold us responsible for talents that we do not possess, but He does expect us to use to 
 the fullest whatever ability we have.
D. Even if we are not capable of outstanding service in a public sense, there is something for everyone to do.

DISCUSSION:

 A VIRTUOUS WOMAN SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE SPIRITUAL TRAINING 
 OF HER CHILDREN.

 A. God has only loaned these children to us for a few years to mold and to train.
  1. A child can learn of God before he can read the Bible.
  2. A godly mother is usually the person from whom a child first learns 
   about spiritual matters.
  3. It is a fearsome responsibility!
 B. Abi was a woman with an evil husband, but a good son 
  (II Kings 18:2-7; II Chronicles 29:1,2; 26:5).
  1. Abi’s name means “My Father is Jehovah, or The Will of God.”
  2. She taught her son,  Hezekiah, to do that which was right in the sight of the Lord.  3. Hezekiah brought about a mighty, national spiritual revival.
 C. Eunice was a woman whose son became an evangelist (II Timothy 1:5; II Timothy 3:14,15).
  1. Eunice and her mother, Lois, were the spiritual influence on Timothy.
  2. Timothy, because of their spiritual influence, became a proclaimer of the gospel.
 D. Each Christian mother has the responsibility to be involved in the spiritual training of her
  child.
 

II. A VIRTUOUS WOMAN SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN SHOWING HOSPITALITY.

 A. Hospitality is defined as “the practice of entertaining strangers gratuitously--kindness to 
  strangers.”
 B. The woman of Shunem was extraordinary in showing hospitality (II Kings 4:8-37; 8:1-6).
  1. She consulted first with her husband.
  2. She extended consideration and kindness in first feeding Elisha.
  3. The woman of Shunem then provided Elisha with a small chamber furnished with all the essentials.
 C. Martha was a woman “given to hospitality.”
  1. She received Christ into her home (Luke 10:38-41).
  2. On another occasion she met Him and bade Him welcome (John 11:20,30).
 D. Lydia constrained Paul and Silas to accept her hospitality.
  1. She was a new convert.
  2. She opened her home.
 E. Let us do what we can to extend hospitality as we have opportunity.

III. A VIRTUOUS WOMAN IS INVOLVED IN SERVING OTHERS UNSELFISHLY.

 A. Dorcas unselfishly did many good works for others (Acts 9:36).
  1. She made coats and garments for the widows and needy of the church.
  2. She gave alms deeds.
 B. The “wise-hearted women” had willing hearts as they labored for the Lord (Exodus 35:22-29).
  1. They gave of their treasures to the Lord.
  2. They gave of their time and talents ungrudgingly for the completion of the tabernacle.
 C. Herbert Lockyer, in his book, “All the Women of the Bible” states, “As women predominate in 
  the present day church attendance and activity, it would seem as if they are more willing-
  hearted than its men.”
 D. Practical ways for us to serve others.
  1. We can visit the shut-ins, sick, and those in the hospitals.
  2. We can prepare food for those who are shut in.
  3. We can send cards to the sick, discouraged, or bereaved.
  4. We can pray for those who have special needs.
  5. We can care for the children of those who are ill.
  6. We can sincerely offer our services to run errands or take an elderly person with 
   us to the store.
  7. We can plan a luncheon for the widows of our congregations.
  8. We can organize a benevolent room with food and clothing for the needy.
  9. We can write missionaries to encourage them and also send them items they need.
 E. May we, like Dorcas, aspire to do with all our hearts what our hands find to do in the service 
  of the Lord.

    Selfishness seeks a gift,
      Love loves to give;
    Love gives itself away
      Love loves to live.
    Love’s grand generosity 
      Counts not the cost;
    Feeling, tho’ nought is left,
      Nothing is lost.

IV. A VIRTUOUS WOMAN IS INVOLVED IN TELLING OTHERS OF SALVATION.

 A. Lydia invited her household to hear the saving gospel (Acts 16).
 B. Priscilla, with her husband Aquila, taught the gospel to many and taught Apollos more 
  perfectly (Acts 18:25,26).
 C. The Samaritan woman exhibited great evangelistic zeal after learning that Jesus was 
  the Messiah (John 4:28,29).
 D. The real soul winners are those who love the souls of their fellowman so much they 
  are compelled to teach them the saving gospel.

V. THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN IS STRIVING TO BE A DEVOTED, LOVING WIFE.

 A. Every Christian woman should be vitally interested in doing everything possible to be
  the kind of wife who is pleasing to God.
  1. Marriage vows are not to be taken lightly.
  2. Sarah is a superb model to all wives (I Peter 3:5-7).
  3. “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands” (Ephesians 5:22-24).
 B. Man and woman become one flesh whey they enter into the marriage relationship 
  (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6).
  1. Husband and wife should function as one in several areas of life.
   a. Physical.
   b. Emotional.
   c. Spiritual.
   d. Social.
  2. In a truly happy marriage the partners share the same  major goals, but 
   their minor preferences show differences in personality and hobbies.
 C. Whether marriage is torment on this earth or a taste of heaven  depends on three factors.
  1. The kind of person you are.
  2. The kind of person you select for your marriage partner.
  3. How hard you work to make your marriage a success.
 D. The virtuous woman who genuinely strives to be a devoted, loving wife will have a 
  marriage that truly becomes sweeter as the years go by.

CONCLUSION:

A. Each one must examine oneself honestly.
 1. Am I doing my best to train my children spiritually?
 2. Am I involved in showing hospitality to others?
 3. Am I a selfish or unselfish person when it comes to serving others?
 4. Am I sincerely interested in the lost who are headed for an eternal punishment unless 
  I care for their souls?
 5. Am I the kind of wife that is pleasing to God?
B. In closing, I would like to quote from Herbert Lockyer’s book, “All the Women of the Bible.”
 “In this sex-mad twentieth century, when women, generally, are sacrificing their characteristic 
 femininity and nobility and are as nicotine-doped as men, it is encouraging to know that there 
 are those Christian women--spinsters, widows, wives, and mothers--who strive to keep themselves 
 unspotted from the world.  Books are not written about their true love, loyalty, sacrifice and 
 uncomplaining days.  These precious women are writing their history in the lives of those around 
 them whom they love and serve.  Although often weary in their task--for theirs is no forty-hour 
 week job--they are never weary of their task.  They spend their lives unknown by the world in the 
 narrow circle of their home within which they labor unceasingly for God and others, but they will 
 not lose their reward.  God’s eye is upon them as they live out their lives in the orbit of His will 
 amid all the cares, trials and sorrows of the home.  One day,  when the books are opened,  their 
 devotion will be commended by Him who sees and knows all.”

         Brenda Rutherford