Not Eating the Bread of Idleness

The Proverbs 31 woman did not eat the bread of idleness. Do you eat the bread of idleness? What does this mean? Paul answers this in I Timothy 5:13,"At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention." In today's society, we also have the problem with television, Internet and iPhones! 

Did you notice that the first thing he mentioned after the word idle is not being at home? In fact, King Solomon wrote this about a whore, "She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home" (Proverbs 7:11). This shows she is very discontent at home and is looking for pleasure outside of her home.  She doesn't want to be at home taking care of it and all who live there. 

What are those"things not proper to mention?" I'm sure today it would be talking about things they'd seen on the soap opera that day, or about an ungodly and immoral movie was about, or criticizing and complaining about their husbands. It would probably include speaking negatively about others and tearing them down. The talk would be unwholesome and not uplifting in any way. They are tearing their own homes down with their bare hands by not being productive in their homes and filling their time with meaningless tasks. They are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

What is Paul's solution to the problem of idleness? Here it is in I Timothy 5:14, "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully." God wants women to marry and have children. He wants them to spend their days loving and pleasing their husbands and raising their children in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord.

They need to guide the home. This is their God-ordained sphere of influence. It is their primary responsibility in life; to be home taking good care of it and her family. If they don't take this responsibility seriously, according to this verse, they give the Enemy opportunity to speak evil of them. "Ha, she says she's a Christian, but it sure doesn't look that way!"

You can do this, women. With God all things are possible. His Spirit lives inside of you and a fruit of the Spirit is self-control You can keep your home need and tidy. You can raise your children in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord and you can be a godly, submissive help meet to your husband ALL in the power of the Lord.

She looks well to the ways of her household, 

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31:27