Am I a Proverbs 31 Woman...Financially?

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night (Prov. 31:16–18 NIV; emphasis added).

Many fortunes and business opportunities have actually been launched in depressions and recessions. Like seasons, financial downturns are best for the strong, the prepared, and those willing to learn. During lean times, people tend to get hyper-focused on all aspects of their business and investments—their time, revenues, expenses, and choices. Goods, furnishings, equipment, rents, and even stocks are often cheaper, plus more and better talent/labor is less costly and readily available.

Those who do not plan for challenging times and are overleveraged with debt and overhead costs get strained. Fortunately, the Bible lays out a business and investment pathway for women, for any time, but especially in times of stress when others are panicked and worried. Through key words in a divinely ordered sequence, the Bible shows the principles a woman can use to take control of her personal and financial destiny using God’s wisdom.

Proverbs 31: 16 (NIV)

“She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.”

In this simple and clear verse, the Bible lays out a set of business principles based on the metaphor of grapes. In the Bible, grapes often symbolize wealth, abundance, prosperity, and fertility. Let’s break down this power verse for you the invincible, resilient, victorious woman.

She Considers:

She ponders, thinks, evaluates, weighs alternatives, and has curiosity and humility to learn what she does not know. She stays within her circle of competence and talents but grows as she gets new information about markets, demand, trends, risks, costs, and innovations.

A Field:

This can be an opportunity, an enterprise like a small/micro business, or an investment. Where she does not have an understanding she will study, take classes, research, interview others, get mentoring (listening more, while speaking less). She will get counsel from a team of diverse and trusted advisors, prudently discerning, and welcoming different points of view. She gains a keen understanding of the future market for her purchase before she makes it, knowing when and how to sell the investment.

And Buys It:

Whether it is a small business, real estate, an investment like a stock exchange-traded fund (ETF) or mutual fund, she acts—all while knowing the right and reasonable price, avoiding excessive leverage, knowing when to buy and the appropriate amount, securing good terms, and building trust for possible expansion. She weighs the cost of holding the purchase: taxes, interest, fees, security, legal compliance, and the improvements needed to make it perform.

Out of Her Earnings:

Here she owns, controls, and monitors her business and investment. When ready, she has the confidence to reinvest in it. She keeps an eye on diversification and avoids putting too many eggs in one basket or over-expanding.

She Plants A Vineyard:

She buys things that make money, not just something that sits with no return, in hopes that someone will come along later and buy it at a higher price.

Her “field” has value, but its value is enhanced because it has an operating business or investment that will produce a return. Through diligence and improvements, raw land grows in value as it is worked to yield a sustainable harvest.

The next couple of verses really set the stage for operating principles for business and investment success.

Proverbs 31: 17–18 (NIV)

“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks” (v.17).

^“She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night” (v. 18).

She Works vigorously:

Through effort and diligence, she operates in a competitive marketplace that changes internally and externally, keeping in mind and controlling for risk through savvy management, customer care, and quality.

Her Arms Are Strong for Her Tasks:

She engages in self-care, pacing herself for the long haul and long-term sustainable success. Her mind is a “muscle,” aware of new technology and systems, investments, branding, competitive threats, alliance opportunities, and changing consumer tastes and needs.

Her Trading Is Profitable:

She writes down the goals and performance expectations of her choices and alternatives. She has an entry and exit plan for the long-run stewardship of the investment or enterprise. She has practiced the activity on a small scale to determine its proof of concept, and may even have worked, apprenticed, or sought training in this area.

Her Lamp Does Not Go Out at Night:

She works long hours to be prepared for whatever comes her way. She accepts the consequences of her decisions—good or bad. She practices biblical ethical principles of the Golden Rule in all her dealings and makes choices that grow her reputation as a Proverbs 31 woman.

Most importantly, this is the time to keep your spiritual life, health, and relationships aligned and in balance. It helps you see opportunities and challenges, and to overcome the naysayers.

This is not the time to stop tithing. Your tithe can be adjusted with a reduction of income, but you should still tithe on any unemployment compensation as well as on reduced wages or income. Keep up with your stewardship! Stay in covenant with God. Keep a biblical routine! Lean on the promises of God in challenging circumstances.

Downturns and financial shocks will happen again and again. Maintaining spiritual and principle-based money practices move the Proverbs 31 woman through any recession to success with peace of mind and the opportunity to reset, profit, and grow a positive financial and business life.

Brent Neiser, CFP®, is the host of What’s Next with Money, a YouTube program on personal finance and future trends. Brent served as Chair of a Federal Advisory Board on consumer protection. He resides with his wife Marion in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Brent Neiser, CFP®   WhatsNextWithMoney.com

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