Diligence is careful and persistent work or effort; having or showing care and conscientiousness in ones work or duties. Diligent derives from the Latin diligens meaning ‘assiduous – showing great care and perseverance’ from diligere to “love, or take delight in.” We might call a diligent person industrious, thorough, dedicated, committed or hard- working. A person without diligence would be deemed lazy: unwilling to work or use energy; characterized by lack of effort or care; idle or slothful.
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A sloth a slow-moving tropical American mammal that hangs upside down from the branches of trees using its long limbs and hooked claws. Because of its lethargic nature, the word slothful was made to describe a person who is reluctant to make an effort. We’ve all known those people…sometimes we’ve been those people. The bible has much to say about diligence vs. laziness and the blessings that are available to the persistent:
Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4 The diligent person will rule/lead, but the slothful will become a slave/laborer. Proverbs 12:24 The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied. Proverbs 13:4 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. Proverbs 21:5
Our growth, movement and success is directly related to our diligence. Sometimes the promotions we see on our jobs, schools, or in ministry do not have to do with nepotism or favoritism, but the dedicated efforts shown by those who love and take delight in what they do, and show by their enthusiasm by their effort. Lazy people are rarely promoted, chosen or entrusted with more responsibility. Diligence in work, in financial stewardship, even in creativity yields the fruit of success in our lives. The Bible also instructs us to use diligence to guard or set a watch over our emotions, decisions and choices. A diligent tracking of where we are can preserve us in difficult situations. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
It is not enough for us just to have ideas, visions and dreams if there is no diligence. James made it clear that faith without works is dead being alone. (James 2:18; 20; 26) We are to show our full persuasion of belief in the calling, purpose and destiny God has given us by our diligence. We demonstrate our worship, trust and love for God by seeking and coming to know Him with a diligence that will eventually pay off: But 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. (Hebrews 11:6)
Is diligence the missing ingredient to your success?
