This is a chapter from the book The Character of Creatures: What the Animal Kingdom Teaches Us About God and His Word.
Get to Work – The Ant
Have you ever seen a lazy ant? Every time I look at an ant, she
is working; they are either defending the anthill, or gathering food, clearing
dirt, or looking for food. Ants are hard workers, they are forever finding and
storing food, especially in the summer because they know a time is coming when
they cannot work.
God tells us directly:
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider
her ways, and be wise. ~ Proverbs
6:6
Discussion:
1.
The Bible says a lot about diligence and
laziness; the fact that there is an insulting name for the sluggard tells us
much. Do you have a good work ethic? Are you working hard while you can? Are
you a sluggard?
2.
The book of Colossians points this at Jesus,
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that
from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving
the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23–24). Would Jesus be pleased with the amount
of work you have put in this week?
3.
What are times when you cannot physically work?
How can you be at work for the Lord in those times? Will you work even when it
is hard? May this prayer be true of you: “May Christ find you fruitful until he
returns or calls you home.”
The ant works while the sun shines, thinking ahead to the winter. Wise children, like the ant, learn to use their time well today so they are ready for what comes tomorrow. ~ J. C. Ryle
