Proverbs – Diligence 

Diligence, as used in the book of Proverbs, most frequently can be defined as:

• Independent, careful, and persistent effort or work.

Solomon is quick to draw our attention to the ant early on in the book of Proverbs

Proverbs 6:6-8 - Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

The ant was a representation of the smallest of the small, and yet, Solomon uses it as an example to show us what wisdom is.

• Wisdom is found in the ant’s ability, not just to provide itself sustenance, but in its ability to independently provide, free from an overseer or ruler.

Solomon is telling us that even the smallest creation, the ant, reminds us of the importance of diligence, to be independent, careful, and persistent in our work, because it is ultimately what fuels our ability to survive.

Part 1: Diligence as defined in the book of Proverbs

In the book of Proverbs, diligence is most often applied to the manner in which work is completed or labor is performed.

Work as worship:

Work is not a result of sin. Work pre-dates the fall.

• Genesis 2:7-9, 15
• Genesis 3:17-19

We see in Genesis, mankind was created to work. We have an innate purpose to maintain, to sustain, and to create.

Coming from the Jewish tradition, the Israelites understood this. They fully recognized that they were no longer in the garden of Eden. They were a people of tilling, tending, and shepherding.

Proverbs touches on this as over half of the proverbs on diligence include reference to some form of work or labor.

• Proverbs 27:23- Shepherding
• Proverbs 28:19- Farming
• Proverbs 31:13-16- Business

Work wasn’t just a vocation for them, it was directly tied to an individuals ability to survive, and their level of wealth. In that, there was value to their work.

• Proverbs 10:4-5- Provision
• Proverbs 13:11- Wealth
• Proverbs 22:29- Power

We see in these verses, diligence can produce food, wealth, and power. As mentioned earlier in our series these are Proverbs, not promises. There is no promise of wealth or riches or any lack of suffering here.

In opposition to the diligent, Proverbs gives us warning for those who refuse to be diligent. These people are categorized as sloths and sluggards.

• Proverbs 12:24- the Slothful will be ruled
• Proverbs 20:4 – The sluggard will beg for food
• Proverbs 21:25- The slothful will perish

Work should be a form of worship. How we go about our work should be a reflection of the glory of our Creator. When we work in diligence, more things happen than material success. Solomon says we honor God when we are diligent in our work.

Part 2: Jesus models diligence for us in His relentless pursuit of the Will of God.

Jesus practiced diligence in the way He went about the work he was sent to earth to complete. Jesus said He came to seek and save that which was lost.

• Luke 2:41-50- Jesus at twelve years old staying in Jerusalem to be about His Father’s business.
• Mark 3:31-35- Jesus redefining relationships based on those who complete the Will of God.
• John 4:28-34, 39-41- Jesus replacing food with the Will of God.
• Mathew 8:20- Jesus forsaking the comfort of house and home.

Are we this diligent in our pursuit of the Will of God?

When confusion regarding the Will of God sets in, focus on the knowns. Scripture tells us God’s Will is for us to be sanctified, in 1 Thess. 4:2-6.

Sanctification is the process of dying to self, so that the Spirit dwelling inside of us can progressively mold us into the image of Christ. It is a life-long process, and we have to be diligent in our approach to it.

We get so caught up in the macro that we forget the micro. If you find yourself struggling to find God’s Will for your life this morning, Ask yourself, am I diligent in following God’s will in the areas he’s already revealed to me?

Erwin Lutzer puts it this way:

“When you begin to do the will of God in matters that have been revealed, He will begin to lead you in matters un-revealed.”

Hebrews 11:6 says “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

We have a choice. We can be diligent, or we can be slothful, and lazy. The challenge this morning is to examine ourselves and ask the Lord to point out areas in our individual lives, where we can grow.