Diligent

Proverbs tell us that diligence and hard work brings prosperity and provision. It also warns us that laziness brings poverty and despair.

It is very easy to become lazy. That is why Proverbs has much to say about it.

In (Proverbs 6), God’s Word uses the ant to show us what it means to be a hard worker. What is interesting about God’s choice is that no matter what occupation you have, you could learn from the ant. Ants are engineers, stock keepers, home keepers, farmers, construction workers, soldiers, policemen, and common laborers. 

(Proverbs 6:6-8), “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.”

What could we learn as Christians from the ant?

They Each Work According to Their Own Ability

There is no lack in their energy output. They give 100% effort to help the cause of their entire family.

A good example of working to your ability is found in;

(Proverbs 31:10-27), “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies… She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms… She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple… She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants… She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.”

Each one of us has the ability to do our share in making our lives and those around us prosperous and enjoyable. Remind yourself of this wonderful meaning and purpose that you possess to be a blessing to others and how they need you.

They Work in Harmony for One Cause

The unity and harmony that the ants successfully promote amongst themselves is one of the greatest wonders your eyes will ever behold. Because of this unity, they possess such great power to accomplish amazing tasks.

When people work together in such harmony, they also will have tremendous power and strength to accomplish their dreams, goals, and desires. This is shown in the way God has designed His church to function;

(1 Corinthians 12:12-26), “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ….For in fact the body is not one member but many…But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”…that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

Do you part to avoid discord. Promote the unity God would have amongst yourselves, and be amazed at the things you will be able to accomplish together. Always remember that we cannot accomplish anything without God’s blessings. And one way to receive them is by being one in mind and heart for His glory.

They Do Not Need Someone to Keep Encouraging Them to Work

Please read (Proverbs 16:26), “The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.”

The diligent know that if they do not their part, they will suffer because of their laziness.

(Proverbs 12:11), “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread…”

This principle can be applied in many ways. No matter what community or group effort you are involved in or directly affected by it, you realize how important it is for you to do your part to reap the benefits of your time, labor and sacrifice.

The Diligent Are Considered Wise and Shall Prosper

(Proverbs 10:4-5), “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.”

Those who are diligent in their responsibilities are looked up to with respect. Others consider them trustworthy and wise because of their success in life by God’s blessings because of their diligence.

The Slothful are Void of Understanding and Shall Come to Poverty

(Proverbs 24:30-34), “I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.”

God has designed life in such a way that it takes diligence and consistency to obtain the things we need and desire. We often look for “shortcuts” and dream of some “get rich quick” scheme, but the truth remains that God blesses us when we are diligent and not lazy.

(Proverbs 13:4), “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”

Some Excuses of the Lazy

• They try to justify their laziness by finding something to complain about.

(Proverbs 20:4), “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”

• They come up with exaggerated excuses.

(Proverbs 22:13), “The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!”

• They will use the excuse of not having the right equipment or skill.

(Proverbs 14:4), “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.”

• They would rather “talk” than work.

(Proverbs 14:23), “In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.”

Laziness Causes One to Become Covetous

(Proverbs 21:25-26), “The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.”

A slothful person would rather sit at home and do nothing. At the same time, they want things that they have not earned or worked for.

On the other hand, one who is diligent “gives and does not spare.” They are blessed and are able to meet their needs and be able to help those who are in genuine need.

Diligence does not mean working yourself to death. Diligence is the act of being faithful to what needs to be done. It is thoroughness, carefulness, and attentiveness.

Laziness Causes Debt

(Proverbs 12:24), “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”

The diligent will have control and afford what they need. It stands to reason that laziness will cause us to consistently plunge into debt.

Laziness Causes Shame

(Proverbs 10:5), “He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.”