Proverbs 10:1-16

“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4, NKJV)

Diligence has an almost magical effect in improving one’s situation. Earlier, Solomon cited the ant as a creature who is diligent. She has no master, and yet she gathers her food in the summer, even carrying several times her own weight! (Proverbs 6:6-7)

We have also seen the opposite effect. Those with a poor work ethic never seem to have enough. They are given a task, but they rarely follow through. Such a person is a brother to him who destroys (Proverbs 18:9). One can have many resources and talents, but without diligence they will all be wasted.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes:

“In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6, NKJV)

It would be wonderful if we all knew ahead of time which activities and investments would be profitable and which would be a loss. Unfortunately, no one knows the future, and no one has a perfect record in picking winners. But the more diligent we are, the more our fortunes improve. We learn through doing. We especially learn from our failures, but if we don’t do anything, then we cannot improve.

Don’t get stuck in time-wasting. Don’t get the paralysis of analysis. Do something good today. It is a great safeguard against anxiety and depression, and you are bound to profit—if not today then tomorrow.

“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)