Devotional: Lessons from the Ant Proverbs 6:6-11

The Book of Proverbs contains various pithy sayings that give wisdom for daily life. Many of the sayings give us words of wisdom for success. In the six verses of this text the author advises the sluggard to observe the work of the ant and be wise. The sluggard is advised to observe the ant so that he can become wise and make sound decisions and concerted efforts in order to be successful. There is a distinct difference between the ways of the sluggard and the ant.

The sluggard is a lazy person. The sluggard is not inclined to make an effort. Sluggards live in our society today. They make excuses and blame others for their lack of success. They allow people to tell them that it is the society that is to be blamed. They come from a poor community. They have no examples of success in their family. All of these things may be factors, but the author of Proverbs teaches that it our own nature and our own lack of effort that contributes most to our lack of success. The teacher instructs the student to look to the ant; observe the ways of the ant and copy the ways of the ant. One cannot be like the ant and a sluggard at the same time.

The ant is a very tiny insect. It has little strength. Yet, the ant is able to develop ways to use their skills wisely. The ant knows its strengths and limitations. Look at the strategy of the ant. The ant makes preparation in the summer when it is harvest season gathering provisions that will be needed in the winter. The sluggard, on the other hand wastes his time sleeping. Because he does not prepare in the harvest season he will come to poverty. Success comes only to those that make preparation to seize upon opportunity.

One of the applications for young people is that they work and save while they are young so that they will have enough money to live on when they are older and retired. Do not put off for tomorrow what you can do today.

Prayer: Lord we thank you for strength to work. Amen