Text: Prov.31:10-31
Introduction
God does not discriminate against a woman having inheritances- (See Zelophehad’s daughters). Some men may want their wives to be financially dependent on them in order to ensure her submission- but submission when you have no choice is not really submission. This will lead a limited life for the family and a slavish mindset for the woman.
Some women also are quite lazy with a family mindset of “my husband will take care of me”. Yes, he should, but why waste away when you can generate resources with your time, energy and even the money you have?
Maximize yourself and your life increase. The truth is that you can have a better life than you have now if you apply yourself. You can do things to generate more income without losing your spirit of Christ that submits to God-ordained authority.
You can still go to school to further your education, it will widen your scope for better opportunities (just ensure you have a good plan to take care of the family- children, husband etc). If the kids are still young, go for part time courses. Higher degrees increase your options in life.
You can pick up more skills such as; learning to sow, bake, cook, knit, hair do etc. You can trade, even if it is water, people will buy it! If you are diligent, you will have law of accumulation working for you. If they don’t employ you, employ yourself. Don’t wait for your husband before you buy paint, pad, make your hair etc. do something and do it well.
Don’t let it render you a domestic nuisance. Whatever career or business you do, build a great relationship with your husband and children. You income is not to rise against, it is to support him and widen the financial base for the family.
Let’s look at other issues in becoming financially independent as a woman.
What happens when a woman is totally dependent on another financially?
Self Worth
If you have no income of yours, you unconsciously move to a place of no self worth. You become worthless and valueless and this goes a long way to determine how you take yourself serious in the plan of God for your life. Very soon, you trifle away with your destiny.
Choice
Who determines what you eat, wear and give to God? You have no choice if others decide for you, so you can’t take charge of your own destiny.
Time
Your time wastes in trickles, hence there is no future. Your future is the harvest of the seed you are sowing today. Sow nothing, reap nothing. Time done with nothing is a waster.
Beg
There are four ways people make ends meet or generate resources; work, steal, beg and sow (give). Don’t steal and don’t beg either. A beggar will steal someday under the right condition.
Work and sow and you will create resources and abound in wealth.
Under-work
If you work but don’t do enough work, you will still not be financially independent. No one will pay you above what you are worth; they will rather pay less (that’s why you must keep improving your worth)
Is the work/ job you do generating enough resources to drive your life and destiny? Don’t settle down to live life at the level of what is coming in without exertion; find out God’s level for you, your responsibility and your assignment and seek to create the resources for the three- that is how to live!
No Plans
A clumsy life will never be balanced even financially.
Don’t have a muddled up life that drains resources. Plan for pregnancies; plan for the home; plan to have a car; plan for the children; plan for improvement; plan, plan, plan and then, put leg to road and work out that plan. Don’t be a wisher!
Behave yourself
The fact you generate resources must not lift you to the plain where you become insubordinate to your husband, rude to your family, a nuisance to your pastor etc.
Your submission to your husband must not be because you depend on him for resources and so if you’ve got your own income to hell with him! No!! Your submission is in obedience to God’s word no matter who you are. See the Shunamite woman in 2Kings.4:8.
If you will be humble, God will lift you.
Get ride of religious Myths
It is the height of deception to think that to be jobless or do jobs that fetch you little or nothing but makes you dependent on your husband, family or church is a reasonable thing. No! Others may feet it keeps you holy, No!! Read your Bible! Renew your mind and see people that worked and could do tangible things for God and man:
- Dorcas (Acts 9:36)
- Lydia (Acts 16:14-15)
- Shunamite (2Kings 4:8-10)
Wrong Work
The woman that will die of famine was one gathering sticks- Low job. Others were prostitute- dirty job.
Find your anointed job. The job God has chosen for you to do- you will surely succeed in it. You’ll surely break forth on all sides no matter what! Labour to know that job and start.
Start from somewhere
Don’t be a fool with your eyes at the end of the world or on what others have that you don’t have. Start from somewhere!
You can do something. Be realistic. Do what is possible
Excuses
Stop giving excuses why it can’t work- the job. In fact, don’t be overly dependent even in starting. Take the bull by the horn and get ahead.
Don’t remain small
Start with the first degree but don’t end there. Start as a Grade II teacher but don’t stop there. Proceed to NCE, B.Ed, M.Ed, PHd and on and on. Never stop to improve.
Addition not subtraction
It is addition that brings increase not subtraction.
Don’t stop business because of change of location. Don’t stop studies because of a pregnancy. Don’t stop work because of a baby. Think deep in God’s wisdom and solve problems constructively not otherwise.
Fulfillment
You will be fulfilled; you will be able to do the three things why God wants you to prosper;
