A Desire for Diligence

(Proverbs 12:24 KJV)  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

This theme comes up again and again in Proverbs.  It goes against so much in our modern philosophy, even in the church.  The message of proverbs is that hard work brings rewards and sloth also brings rewards.  It is just that the rewards are different.

The “diligent” (2742a) will “rule” (4910).  They will be in charge.  Do they rule because they are diligent or are they diligent because they rule?  Does it make any difference?  Making allowance for the occasional genius, the guy who is the son of the company founder and for “luck,” who gets promoted?  Is the road to the top more available for the people who put the effort into an education and continue to work hard or for the ones who always came late, left early and took long breaks?

So?  Diligence is a character trait that has God’s approval.  It is a character trait that can be developed.  It represents the desire of your heart.  Get focused and live in obedience.