November 17, 2023
Lessons from an Ant
By Skip Heitzig
A century ago, it was common for preachers to address the concept of laziness or slothfulness. Laziness, in fact, is one of the most underrated sins. In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon used an interesting word to describe a lazy person: sluggard. Sounds kind of like slug, doesn't it? It means a loafer, an idler, a couch potato, a hater of work.
Solomon wrote, "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" (Proverbs 6:6-8).
Ants are some of the most successful creatures. When I say that, I mean, of all the insects, they are survivalists. So in this passage, Solomon went to the anthill to teach a lesson from the ants, and he noted three things:
- Nobody has to tell ants to work. They just do it. With no guide or leader, they all work persistently. It's exactly how we are to serve the Lord as believers. We are to work hard, "as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men" (Ephesians 6:6-7).
- Ants work hard to provide for themselves and for their colony. Again, that's what the Bible says we are to do: work so that we might bless others. Ephesians 4:28 says, "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need" (ESV).
- Ants store up food and prepare for winter (see Proverbs 6:8). Proverbs 16 says, "Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established" (v. 3, ESV). James 4:13-15 instructs us not to say, "I'm going to do this or that." Instead, we should say, "If the Lord wills, I'm going to do this and that." We plan, but we always ask, "What is the will of God?"
Solomon continued in Proverbs 6, "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" (vv. 9-11).
The sluggard is unmotivated. He does not finish things. Ask him when he's going to be done and he won't know. The sluggard always has an excuse, a reason why it can't be done. He is always procrastinating. It's an unfulfilled and frustrating life that will leave that person emotionally restless, unsatisfied, and discouraged.
Even worse, Proverbs 6:11 is a stark warning: if you remain inactive for too long, one day it'll be too late. As Proverbs 21:25 says, "The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor." They may want, but they don't get, because they won't work.
The antidote to a lazy life is a good shot of diligence. Romans 12:11 says, "Not lagging in diligence, [be] fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Fervent means enthusiastic. And sometimes the only way you can be enthusiastic in work is to think, I'm doing this for the Lord.
So, Christian, are you preparing for your future by serving the Lord now? Jesus said we are to work now, because a time is coming when no one can work (see John 9:4). So if you're going to do anything at all for Christ, do it now. If you're going to share the gospel, pray with and for people, visit someone, or reconcile a broken relationship, don't wait. Do it now. Prepare for the future by serving the Lord now.
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For more from Skip Heitzig, visit ConnectwithSkip.com, and listen to today's broadcast of Connect with Skip Heitzig at OnePlace.com.
