“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”-1 Timothy 2:9,10
The main purpose of a godly woman is to be a doer of good. The Bible exalts “good works” over “broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” Being a doer of good allows us to place Christ first because being our role model, He was a doer of good himself; Others second because our role model Jesus Christ did plenty of good things for many people during His time on Earth. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”-Acts 10:38. Being a doer of good also helps us to deny ourselves and serve others just as Jesus Christ being the very Son of God thought it necessary to wash the feet of His disciples! What a challenge! Ultimately, doing good teaches us humility.
But when we are so occupied by our “broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” or immodest apparel, there leave no room for acknowledging others around us. We purely desire the attention and approval of men by our appearance. When we women are adorned with our “broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array,” we become haughty and will not easily humble ourselves to stretch forth a helping hand to the needy lest our “adornment” become disarrayed or even go missing!
Yet, when we do away with “broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” or immodest apparel, we are freed to get down on our knees and wash the feet of those in dire need, and bring the gospel to the broken-hearted. “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”-Romans 10:15. God has deposited great talents and gifts in us as women and He wants us to use it all to His glory! Let the Light of God’s gifts in you SHINE, lady! Not the flashing and tingling of your jewelry!
In scripture there are highlighted women who epitomized “good works” to a glorious height!
Those Biblical Women who demonstrated good works are:
1. Dorcas – Acts 9:36
2. Rebecca – Genesis 24:46
3. Ruth – 2:11, 12
4. The Virtuous Woman: Proverbs 31:20
5. The Shunammite Woman: 2 Kings 4:8-11
6. ‘Certain Women’: Mary Magdelene, Joanna, Susanna – Luke 8:2,3
7. Woman of Bethany – Mark 14:3, 6, 9
Besides the good works that were wrought by the above mentioned godly women, some other practical ways of doing good are volunteering at a hospital or shelter, using your God-instilled gifts whether singing, preaching or encouraging in the house of God and for the benefit of the people around you in school, at work etc. Also, noticing a need in someone’s life whether it’s lack of clothing, or food and supplying that need to the best of your ability. There are so many ways to serve, ladies. Ask God to help and guide you to realize the gifts He has put in you, and utilize it for the service of others to His glory!
So ladies, the Word of God exhorts us to go about and make our lights shine through good works. NOT through “broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” or immodest apparel. He says we should “lay aside every weight.”(Hebrews 12:1) The weight of our jewelry, hair extensions, make-up etc that pulls us down from doing His work diligently, wholeheartedly and unselfishly.
“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
― John Wesley
Some encouraging scriptures about serving:
Ephesians 6:7, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Chronicles 15:7
“There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up thy countenance upon us!”-Psalms 4:6
May we deny our flesh that the Light of God may shine in, and through us for all to see through our good works in Jesus’ name!
Have a blessed day!
-Charity