DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS – Proverbs 31:28a
Proverbs 31:28a Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
Solomon received many benefits by carefully examining the character of the woman he desired to marry. Solomon’s mother taught him that if he took the time to examine the character of the woman he desired to marry, he would be blessed in many different ways. However, Solomon would not be the only person who would be blessed because he found a virtuous woman. Solomon’s wife also would receive blessings because she took the time to add virtue to her life. The virtuous woman who has willingly given of herself to make others in her life great will receive the blessing that her children recognize what she has done in their life.
When you add virtue to your life, you no longer are living your life for yourself. Instead, the focus of your life becomes what you can do for God. As you seek to put God first, you also start putting other people’s needs first in your life.
It is important that the reason why you put others first is because you desire the praises of men. Jesus warns that if you fast or pray because you desire the praises of men, that you will receive the praises of men and that will be your full reward. Instead, it should be your focus to pray and fast for the glory of God so that God can reward you openly.
So likewise, you do not obey Christ’s command to love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself because you expect the praises of man. Instead, you obey God because you desire to glorify your Father up in heaven. Because you do what is right in the eyes of God, God will see your good works and HE will glorify you here on this earth.
The virtuous woman will strive to put the needs of her family first, not because she desires the praises of her family but because she knows that it is the right thing to do. God sees her diligent self-sacrifice over the years and as a result, God rewards her openly. One of the many ways that HE will bless a virtuous woman will be by causing those who are the major recipient of her life to recognize her self-sacrifice and to praise her for what she has done for them.
God made you in HIS own image. In the same way that God desires to hear HIS praises for what HE has done in your life, so too, HE understands that you desire to hear your praises for what you have done in the life of others. God does not require that you live your entire life doing what is right not receiving any credit for the good things that you have done. Instead, HE desires that your focus be upon HIM and if you have the right attitude for why you do what is right, then you will be in the proper mindset to hear the praises of those whom you have touched.
Virtue will change your perspective on life. You must add virtue to your life not because you expect to receive the praises of man but because you desire the praises of God. If you add virtue to your life because you desire the praises of man, you will receive your reward and lose out on the blessings God has for you. There is more to your life then having others recognize what you have done for them. Instead, your focus must be on God and doing what is right so that HE can bless you. If you do what is right for the right reasons, God can then turn around and bless you by giving you the praises of man.