LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Ministry of a Woman of God (2)
The woman of God has ample possibilities for fulfillment and service. The home is the first and undelegable sphere of action and service of a woman of God. If she fails in this, she fails in everything. If she fulfills her domestic ministry well, the believing woman has possibilities of broad service beyond her home.
In the church. A metaphor for this is found in the Old Testament. When the tabernacle was erected in the wilderness there were "wise-hearted women (who) spun with their hands" the ornaments of the tabernacle (Ex. 35:25-26). A woman's hands give an account of the wisdom of her heart. So it is also in the midst of the church. There are services that are difficult for a man to perform, and that is where the woman has to take her place.
There are "works of mercy" (Rom. 12:8, 13) that are waiting for the women of God to perform. There are the "good works" of 1 Timothy 5:10: the practice of hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, succoring the afflicted, and, in general, every good work.
Among unbelievers. There is a practical piety that can be developed among unbelievers, of which Sister Dorcas of Joppa gives us a good example (Acts 9:36-39). She "abounded in good works and almsgiving". She favored the poor widows of the city by making them tunics and garments. The practical love she sowed in these women resulted, after her death, in a dramatic intercession before the apostle Peter for her resurrection.
Dorcas' practical piety sowed a seed in the hearts of these widows, which later bore fruit to the glory of God. When a woman shows mercy to unbelievers, she will undoubtedly find the opportunity to testify to her faith. In the meantime, she should serve them with love, as she does the Lord.
In her business. The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 gives us an example in this. What does she do? She works wool and flax with her hands (v. 13), and takes care of her business (v. 18). She "applies her hand to the spindle, and her hands to the distaff" (v. 19). She "makes cloth, and sells, and gives bands to the merchant" (v. 24).
It is not forbidden for the woman of God to engage in these things. On the contrary, it can be a blessing to her husband and children to have some resources to meet special family needs. So the woman of God can serve God beyond her home, but without neglecting her home. If she attends well to her home, she can go as far as she wants (in subjection); if not, she will have an irreparable loss.
The possibilities of venturing into extra-home spheres will become more viable once the children are grown. Then you will find forms of action that, along with giving you the opportunity for personal fulfillment, will help you to mitigate the emptiness that the children leave behind after their departure from home. And above all, they will allow you to fully exercise your ministry as a woman who loves her Lord.