Proverbs 31: King James Bible
The Spoil of Toil – Daily Devotion of Proverbs chapter thirty one, Verses 21-22
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Daily Inspiration from These Verses – The Spoil of Toil
Here we see the woman enjoying the spoil of toil. Not spoiled as in ruined or gone bad. Nor spoil as you’d spoil a child. If anyone’s just jumped on to this page without having read any of the previous devotionals fro this chapter, you may want to back up a tad to see how we’re approaching our examination into the virtuous woman.
But spoil as we’d use for the idea of: spoils of war. Among the fruit of her previous labors, is preparedness for rough and cold seasons. She’s not trusting in her riches to get her through the winter, but rather in all that she’s worked toward.
Go to the Ant!
I read the two verses above, and can help but think of verses earlier on, instructing people to turn to insects and animals for examples. The one in particular is a verse from way back in chapter 6; instructing the sluggard to go to the ant as a reference.
We can compare the virtuous woman with what the Lord tells the sluggard about the ant.
They both:
- Have no overseer or ruler telling them what to do (nor do they need one)
- They both provide meat for the summer
- They gather from the harvest to establish food for the months to come
Prepared for the Season
Because of her diligence throughout the warmer and more pleasant months, her family will be able to ride out through those less pleasant. She isn’t afraid of running out of food, or being caught unequipped for the cold and snow.
Preparedness is one aspect of what is being discussed above. But another aspect is a little less expected.
She’s not only prepared, but is also styling and profiling (As pro wrestler Rick Flair would say) She’s prepared comfortably, beautifully, and has made things of expense and for her bed coverings, and also her garments.
We know this for a couple of reasons. In an earlier verse, we learn that she makes things with her own hands, and she knows that her merchandise is of good quality.
We also know that she is a woman of means, who has servants of her own to continue working different things that she starts. Particularly after she purchases land to yield a return.
The materials that describe her clothing are representative of wealth or royalty. Purple and blue colored clothing was far more difficult to get your hands on back then, which is why it has become indicators of one’s wealth in ancient civilizations.
Enjoying the Fruit of her Labor
As we’ve observed, this woman of virtue has earned every bit of her ability to enjoy the fruits of her labor. She’s done whatever’s possible to do all because she can, rather than out of necessity. Now she gets to partake in her prosperity, and worries not for her family’s provisions.
The spoils of toil are only as potent as the effort involved. This is a constant with the Lord.
“To who has much will more be given; he who has not, what little he may have will be taken away. “(Paraphrased)
Reading all of the above, and applying these principals to ourselves will only work out for good. That is, if we are applying our efforts to the right things. The Lord tells us what is right, and his instruction should be our own personal focus.
This is also the Lord’s wish for the church at large. The Bride of Christ. Every time I read these pieces of scripture keeping this in mind, I get a little more insight into the Lord’s will for his Saints. Do you?
Related New Testament Scripture
Luke 5: King James Bible
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Matthew 5: King James Bible
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16: King James Bible
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
John 6: King James Bible
27 Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 9: King James Bible
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Prayer
Father,
Thank you for your Word, and your guidance through it. Strengthen our bones as well as our resolve to do the things that need doing, not just because we have to, but because we can. Please equip your Saints with a diligence that starts within the heart, guided by your Spirit, and allows us to toil in a manner that will lead us to a position of prosperity, rather than toil in vain, or to be slack and suffer for it. Help us all to be a picture of you and your ways, as we walk and are observed upon the earth. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Question
Are you able to enjoy the spoil of toil, or have you fallen prey to toiling for all the wrong reasons?