In Proverbs 31:10-12, we read,
"Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life."
While this scripture was written to give a young man wisdom in finding a wife, the King James version uses the word "woman" in place of "wife," and I believe we can apply this scripture to all women; married or single, young or old. Being virtuous is not something reserved for women who are wives or who aspire to be wives. Being virtuous is for all women. One aspect of being virtuous is "doing good" to the men in our lives regardless of the relationship. Whether it is a husband, brother, father, coworker, pastor, boss, etc., a Christian woman should be known for the good she does to all around her.
So, how does a Christian woman who is single live this out? Obviously she does not have a husband to "do good," but she will interact with many men throughout her life in the many circumstances she will be in. First and foremost she will want to relate to men in a pure and virtuous way. On the job, she will interact with many men who are married. The temptation to get too close to married men will be there. A woman who wants to "do him good," will avoid compromising situations such as becoming a listening ear for his marriage woes. A woman who wants to "do him good," will avoid being alone with a married man away from the eyes of others. She will refuse "work lunches" where they are alone. These lunches can quickly turn into another kind of lunch. She will seek to treat her married coworkers the same way she would want someone else to treat her husband were she married. She will act in such a way as to encourage his marriage to be stronger. She will be the woman that the wives of these men will know is safe in the same office as her husband. She will show respect, be pleasant and helpful, but always with arm's length between.
She will refuse to be a "man basher." Few things are more unattractive than a woman who bashes men. Men are not the problem! Sin is the problem!
She will be "safe." When I say "safe," I mean that she will be known for her virtue. She will be known as a woman who will not knowingly seduce a man. He will know by her conduct and dress that she will be appropriate. He will know that he can ask for her help with projects on the job and she will not try and use it as an opportunity to get him in a compromising situation.
She will encourage men to lead by her actions and words. Men were made to be leaders. A virtuous woman will recognize this and refuse to try and badger men to get her way. She will be a "helper" to the men in her life. In the church, she will learn to suggest and encourage the men in leadership. She will not be a "take charge ram rod" that others will begrudgingly see as the "church boss." Instead, she will work quietly and prayerfully to effect change where needed through the proper channels.
If this is her goal, to "do men good", when her epitaph is written someday, it can very well be said that she was virtuous and did all others good.
