Brad Brede Ministries - Words of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom
Diligence

Proverbs 10:4 says, "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich." The word diligent used in this passage means to be sharp, pointed, determined, and eager.

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines diligent as characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic application and effort. Some synonyms are hard-working, industrious, meticulous, conscientious, thorough, careful, attentive, and painstaking. An antonym is lazy.

Success in life requires diligence. Theodore Roosevelt said, "There has never yet been a person in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering." If you are going to achieve the highest and best that God has for you, then you must demonstrate steady and energetic effort in all your endeavors. Proverbs 13:4 declares, "The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich."

Good things do not come to lazy people. Booker T. Washington said, "Nothing ever comes to one that is worth having except as a result of hard work." The things that are really important in life require hard work to achieve. Becoming intimately acquainted with our Heavenly Father requires a consistent effort on our part. A good marriage is not had without hard work. Finishing the race that God has for us to run demands diligence.

Do not shrink back from hard work or complain about being tired. To be tired at the end of a good day may simply mean that you have applied yourself and worked hard to achieve your goals. Eat a nutritious meal, get some well-deserved sleep, and wake up rested and eager to go at it again. Abraham Lincoln said, "Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."

Stop continuously thinking that you need a vacation or saying that you need a break. Obviously, we need times of rest and relaxation but desiring to be lazy is inconsistent with the teachings of the Word of God. Proverbs 6:6-11 says, "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. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep--So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man."

What are you waiting for? Get up and get to work! Make something good happen! Thomas Alva Edison said, "There is no substitute for hard work. Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Be wise by working hard. Better yet, be a genius by working even harder.