TURNING WISDOM TO WEALTH 9 9 The Benefit Of Developing Christian Virtue.

Prov. 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

In this chapter of the Bible, we see the life of a virtuous woman. No human being could have done what this woman did naturally. Somebody could have asked 'where was the husband?' Where was he that his woman was doing so much for the household. The only reference to the husband is in verse 23 "Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elder of the land". He was honourable because of his wife. I would have thought the virtuous woman married a lazy husband until I start to picture the story as a metaphor and that Jesus is the bridegroom. This is a shadow of what a Christian should be in character. We as Christians are bride of Christ. Behind a throne is a shrine, and you don't become a king without fortifying the throne. Behind demonic thrones are demonic powers, yet many Christians don't want anything behind them. Christ is behind our lives and as branches in the vine-yard we ought to draw virtues from the Lord.

2 Pet. 1:5

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

There is no reason to create light if there is no darkness. We cannot just say we are born again and have nothing to show for it. In the above scriptures, knowledge comes after virtue. The greatest attribute of G.o.d is His character that is why Paul prayed that he might know him.

Phil 3:10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

If you know his power without knowing him, the power can kill you. We are attracted to the power but G.o.d is impressed with our character. He wants us to be strong believers; he wants us to be strong in the truth.

Virtue is developing Christian excellence. Having a spiritual energy to live a life of consistency in the truth, standing and serving G.o.d in holiness and righteousness. What you have been saying is what you are still saying and you can't stand for G.o.d this way and stand for too long. Virtue made Abraham different from others

Gen. 18:17-19

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

G.o.d cannot trust all of us. We are all his sons but can he trust us with his secrets? When G.o.d told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac asked questions on the trip. He could have protested with the answer of his father, if not that he was trained to trust the father's love. G.o.d wants us to be consistently consistent. G.o.d saved us at the level he met us but will expect us to grow in faith.

Phil. 1:9-10

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

This is a prayer you must pray all your life. It is a prayer of commitment. Abraham chose to pay for the land to bury his wife because his wife was valuable to him. He was not an opportunist. The same thing was done by David, when he chose to pay for the parcel of ground to sacrifice unto G.o.d.

When you start to appreciate G.o.d, he also appreciates you with his goodness.

Matthew 9:15

15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Jesus is the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:1-6

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

And the church is the bride of Christ. The virtue flows from him to us. Because as the bridegroom he is the head and we are the bones of his bones and flesh of his flesh.

Eph. 5:23

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

What he uses to change our lives is the word of G.o.d. The Christian that does not hear the word is in trouble already.

Luke 8:43-44

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

The woman with the issue of blood came around Jesus in order to draw virtue from him. Beloved something flows from your life to others. The woman was stinking with her trouble, she was dying. The sickness was demonic and she suffered for 12 years.

She came behind Jesus to touch his garment and the flow of blood stopped. She, a n.o.body became a somebody.

Luke 8:46

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

Virtue went out of Jesus to meet her need even though this speaks about the anointing to heal but G.o.d wants virtue of holiness to flow from Jesus to us. We are the body, He is the head. This is not natural virtue but spiritual virtue which is the ability to produce result.

Proverb 31:10

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Here G.o.d tells us what he wants us to become as the virtuous women, the bride of Christ. May you be all that heaven wants for you. Who can find a virtuous Christian? The one connected to Jesus, the one with excellence and divine energy. It is a choice, you are priceless. Money cannot buy you. He paid the price of his blood to redeem you. You must live for him.

Proverb 31:11

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

The husband of the virtuous woman trusts her. Does G.o.d trust you? Will you do what he tells you to do? Everywhere you go, they must know Jesus through you.

We can see that

- This Christian is in harmony with Christ. G.o.d wants us to be in unity of purpose with our husband. We must not be like Saphira, who was not bold to commit sin but engineered her husband to betray the trust

- G.o.d wants us to be industrious. You must not be lazy, don't wait for anyone to empower you. The government is not your G.o.d.

- You must be dutiful. Be at your duty post, provision is a reward of service. Let G.o.d reward you.

Proverbs 31:15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

- You must be contemplative

Proverbs 31:16

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Think and plan. Don't just be dependent on others for provision

- Be watchful

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Have good foresight like an eagle. By this, you find grace

- Be skillful and versatile

Proverbs 31:19

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

G.o.d compares us with the palm tree. In Palestine, there are 360 uses to which palm tree can be put. It is blessed with fruitfulness. Ask G.o.d what to do with your life, when vision is there, provision will follow.

- Be generous, hospitable and accommodating- Don't turn away people. The virtuous woman has security for the future. She was a good planner. Don't buy everything you see. Don't be focused on stealing money

- She has dignity. Be modest in dressing- it is a fact that culture affects dressing but you must cover yourself

- There is an attire of the harlot. When you expose yourself, men don't love you, they l.u.s.t after you

- Genesis 6:2

That the sons of G.o.d saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

This tells us about the angelic pollution that happened in the time of Noah. There were children who became demonized because they wore what they should not wear. A virtuous Christian covers herself. G.o.d makes you in dignity and honour. You must be discreet. Let praise go to G.o.d on your behalf. What you do affects your children more than what you say.

The virtuous woman was not flamboyant, she builds a good image for her husband. Be enterprising. Look for ways to bring more money into the family. Don't live on begging.

Proverbs 31:24

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

- She speaks wisdom

Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She controls herself when provoked. Every time you exalt common sense above wisdom, you run into trouble. Weigh the words coming out of your mouth.

- The husband commended her.

Acts 10:38

How G.o.d anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for G.o.d was with him.

Jesus went about doing good, you must do good

Things that block virtue

1. Bitterness: the enemy used Peninah to provoke Hannah, so as to stop her miracle. Envy, sorrow and jealousy quench the flow of the Spirit. The tribe of Reuben became the smallest tribe in Israel because he slept with one of his father's concubine. But his problem came out of the fact that his father in law, Laban forced Leah, his mother upon Jacob. It was a marriage in bitterness. The bitterness towards his mother was transferred to him. So Reuben never respected his father. Jacob cursed Rueben out of bitterness.

Genesis 49:3

Virtue is a matter of the heart. That is why you must not allow anybody to make you miserable. Joseph did not allow bitterness, He did not say that he would not interpret dreams again, no wonder he became the prime minister.

2. Pleasure- loving (sin). When you enjoy living in sin, it blocks virtue. You become a dead person, don't as a matter of practice, fill your oil with dead flies which make your oil to stink.

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Therefore don't live in sin. Don't allow your life to be corrupted. Practice holiness. Let the blood of Jesus work for your advantage.

3. Stubbornness/ self will/ independent spirit: These block your virtue. Stubbornness is when you have made up your mind before G.o.d speaks

Esther 1:9-19

Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.

But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Ma.r.s.ena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)

What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

Here we see the king requesting for Vashti to come and show her beauty. She felt that the invitation was too mean. She forgot that she was queen because the king was her husband. The wise men advised the king to look for one better than her to take her position. Beloved when G.o.d wants to do a thing in the world, he starts to change positions and rearrange things. The independent who don't care about where G.o.d has placed them in the body of Christ, will lose their place like Vashti.

4. Domineering Spirit: when people become domineering, this blocks virtue. Some don't fly but they are witches. They want to dominate your will. Spirit of witchcraft in the bible sense are manipulators who control your destiny. There are wives that go and meet somebody to prophesy to their husbands in order for them to control their husbands. Some don't talk in the open, but they go underneath to control you. Some wives make their husbands do wrong things and then go and hide.

I Kings 21:7

And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

Ahab was a weak man. When men are men, women will be women. It takes a weak man for Jezebel to rise. Ahab had 70 children, not just from Jezebel's womb alone. But Jezebel must have married other women for her husband. The children were put in cares of n.o.bles in the land, to rear them up.

The bible describes the caretaking of Ahab's children as rearing. only for Jehu to slaughter them in holy indignation. One day, the seventy of them were killed on a stone.

Witchcraft always rear up for slaughter. As a man, be the head, take charge in your home. A head must always be ahead, don't let your wife suffer. Your wife should not be struggling and laboring and you are smiling about looking fresh. Some men don't even attend prayer meeting, so when trouble comes he does not know what to do. The wife is speaking wisdom/ truth, yet the man will not hear because he is the head.

The one feeding the house is the head. As a man, don't oppress or intimidate your wife. There is no comparison between an apple and an orange. Train your male children to be responsible.

5. Religious spirit: This also blocks virtue- it manifests when people have a form of G.o.dliness with no trace of eternal life yet they can fast severally without any life of G.o.d. Fasting to them is bribing G.o.d to change his mind, but G.o.d's mind is made up to bless you. G.o.d hears you because you believe his words and not fasting in unbelief.

His mind is made up to bless you. If virtue is there with faith, it works wonders. You pray and fast to commit your future unto G.o.d to go ahead of you. Under the new testament fasting is not punishment but an ascent to higher, deeper life in him.

Don't get involved in legalism or idolatry. You must know when to switch from prayer to praise. Jehoshaphat stopped praying and praised G.o.d after a prophetic word had gone forth. Prayer is not just praying to impress G.o.d. Your fasting does not change G.o.d, it changes you. G.o.d cannot help someone that is proud. When you have failed you must acknowledge your error rather than putting yourself in 20 days hunger strike- when you know the word, it liberates you. There is a road that G.o.d has for you. It is blessed already. The virtue of Jesus will flow into you day and night.