Proverbs 31:16

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about the industrious woman:

Proverbs 31:16 (NASBStr)

She considers a field and buys it;

From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Proverbs 31:16 (ESV)

She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Here you have the industry of the virtuous women.  While others might be involved in entertainment, distractions, and a relaxed life journey, the virtuous women is busy buying, preparing and reaping the profits of a life of endeavor.   Not only has she awoke early to feed her family (see previous proverb) after having done so, she proceeds to become the business merchant and agriculturist.  Unlike the sluggard, who allows his land to become overgrown and wasted (Proverbs 24:30–31), she turns the land she buys into a production source for her family and servants.   The "earnings" mentioned apparently come from the wool and flax industry mentioned in verse 13.   She is not content to accumulate and store up her earnings, but rather re-invests them in future enterprise that will further being blessings to both her family and her husband.   The virtuous women is a business women as much as a home-maker.  We might think that her husband is the one who takes care of the realty portion of the family.   But, remember, in verse 11 we are told that her "husband trusts in her."   The women who fears The Lord shows it by how well she uses her industry to further care for her family.   She does not waste her talent and life on that which is not productive.