Join Our Mailing List

Print this page

OF WORK AND ANTS!

Prov.  6:6-9, edb
September 6, 2009

Purpose:  To emphasize the importance of plain hard work

    A commencement speaker concluded with this thought.  He said, “There’s a wonderful word I want to leave with you.
    It makes a stupid person bright.  It makes a bright person brilliant.  It makes a brilliant person successful.  It is a mystical word; a powerful word.  It opens all doors and achieves all things.  That word is “work!”
    As we celebrate this Labor Day weekend, let’s remember that no matter what we call our job or occupation or career or profession; labor is really a four letter word called “work!”
    The Scripture emphasizes the importance of work.

(Different young people read)
1   Work is necessary for success.  “A lazy person will end up poor; but a hard worker will become rich” (Prov.  10:4, niv).
2   Work requires action.  “Those who work hard earn a profit.  But those who only talk will be poor” (Prov.  14:23, edb).
3   Work requires dedication.  “The person who works his land will have plenty of food.  But the one who chases useless dreams isn’t wise” (Prov.  12:11, edb).
4   Work is requires motivation.  “It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.” (Prov.  16:26, nlb).
5   Work is necessary to live.  “When we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat' ” (2 Thess. 3:10).
6   Work must be planned.  “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (Prov.  21:5, nlb).
7   Work gives us pleasure.  “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied” (Prov.  13:4, nlb).
8   Work requires skill.  “Do you see a man skilled in his work?  That man will work for kings.  He won’t have to work for ordinary people” (Prov.  22:29, edb).
9   Work requires our best efforts.  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might . . .” (Ecc.  9:10, niv).
10  Work brings rewards.  “God is fair.  He will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people . . .” (Heb. 6:10, edb).
11  Work develops leadership.  “Hard workers will become leaders.  But those who are lazy will be slaves” (Prov.  12:24, edb).
12  Work is our personal Christian responsibility.  “You know that I always worked to take care of my own needs and the needs of those who were with me” (Acts 20:34).
13  Jesus prayed for workers.  “The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord . . . and ask him to send out more workers for his fields” (Luke 10:2).
14  Jesus gave us an example for work.  “While it is daytime, we must continue doing the work of the One who sent me . . .” (John 9:4a).
15  God expects us to work.  “We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ” (Eph.  2:10.  Niv).
16  We work with God.  “We are workers together for God . . .” (1 Cor.  3:9).
17  We work for God.  “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Col.  3:23, nlb).

So you see work is an important part of our Christian witness and service.   
    Solomon told us to learn a lesson from ants.  “`Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.  How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?  when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?'' ” (Prov.  6:6-9, edb).
    In observing these insects, there are at least three principles to note:

I.  THE ANT WORKS WITHOUT SUPERVISION

    He is a self-motivator, a self-starter and a self evaluator.  In short he is self-disciplined. The Scripture says, “They have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work”(v. 7, nlb).
    Such characteristics are so rare and valuable.  How many employees work just as hard when the boss is away?  How many employees will voluntarily shorten their lunch hour or cut out their coffee breaks in order to complete an assignment?  How many employees do more than is required without the incentive of bonuses or over time?
    Yes, working without supervision would dramatically improve the labor market in American.  We could eliminate many managers, foremen and inspectors.  We could increase quality and productivity.  We could reduce our national import/export imbalance.  We could also avoid many tragedies.  One worker went to sleep on the job and failed to secure the door in a ferry boat.  Over two hundred people died in the English Channel due to his negligence!!
    No great artist or inventor ever does his task for a boss.  He does his task for himself.  Responsibility is doing the right thing without being told.
    Years ago, a railroad watchman was stationed at a dangerous crossing.  An accident occurred at that crossing in which a number of people were killed.  An inquest was held and the watchman was called to testify.  ``Were you present at the time the accident occurred?'' he was asked.
    ``Oh, yes, I was on duty,'' he declared.
    ``And did you go out to the track when you heard the train approaching to warn travelers of the danger?'' 
    ``Oh, yes, indeed,'' was the reply, ``I stood right in the middle of the road.'' 
    Did you have your lantern with you? 
    ``Oh, yes.  I had it.''
    ``Did you wave your lantern?''
    ``Oh, yes. I waved it.''
    Everything seemed to be in order, so, the watchman was acquitted.
    Later the watchman retold the account of the inquest.  He concluded by mopping his brow and exclaiming, ``Boy, that judge had me in a bad spot with all his questions; but he never did get around to asking me whether my lantern was lit.'' 
    Responsibility!  What a lesson in responsibility we could learn from the ant!  Working without supervision is a sign of Christian maturity.

II.  SECOND, THE ANT WORKS IMMEDIATELY.

    He does not procrastinate.  He has no empty procedures or aimless actions.  He wastes no time.  The Scripture says, “They store up food in the summer . . .'' (v. 8).
    Such initiative and energy is extremely desirable.  Mindless bureaucracy with its red tape and endless non-productive busyness is stalling all branches of our government. It is destroying large corporations.  It is hurting people and wrecking financial institutions.  Simple practical efficiency would solve many of the major economic problems in our country.
    The book, Alice in Wonderland, was written over a hundred years ago. In it, Alice falls into this rabbit burrow and plunges into a world of strange things.
    Soon after landing, she meets the Cheshire cat.  Alice says to the cat, ``Oh, please, sir, would you tell me which way I should go?'' 
    And the cat says, ``Well, where do you want to get to?'' 
    ``Oh, it really doesn't make any difference where I get to; just tell me which way I should go?'' 
    Again, the cat says, ``Well, if it doesn't make any difference where you want to go, then it  doesn't make any difference which way you go.'' 
    Alice protests, ``But I want to get somewhere.'' 
    To this the cat says, ``Don't worry.  You will get somewhere!''
    This silly conversation relates a profound truth.  You will get somewhere!  Whether you have a goal or not, you are going to be somewhere by the end of today.  You are going to be somewhere by the end of this week.  You are going to be somewhere by the end of this year.  You are going to be somewhere by the end of life.  Whether you pay any attention to goal-setting or not, you will be somewhere.  The question is:  Are you going to determine your own direction and purpose, or are you going to let circumstances and other people decide what you are going to do and where you are going to be at the end of this day?  At the end of this year?  At the end of your life? 
    Ultimately, the responsibility for where we get to is up to us.  We must decide.
    Once a reporter met Buzz Aldrin, the astronaut.  He said, ``Mr. Aldrin, if you were alone in space and your engine broke down and you had one hour's worth of oxygen, what would you do during your last hour of life.''  ``Oh, that's easy,'' replied Mr. Aldrin.  ``I'd work on that engine!''
    You see, accomplishing worthwhile goals is essential.  No matter what motivation books tell you, just ``thinking you can'' won't achieve success.  You must add knowledge, skill, determination and energy to your positive thinking!  When the pioneers reached a river, they crossed it.  When the pioneers reached a mountain, they climbed it.  When the pioneers reached an insurmountable obstacle, they overcame it!
    What a lesson in initiative we could learn from the ant.  Accomplishing worthwhile goals is the purpose of life.

III.  THIRD, THE ANT PROVIDES FOR THE FUTURE

    He put's into practice that crucial principle known as Deferred Gratification.  The Deferred Gratification Pattern includes vision, prudence and common sense.  The Scripture says,“They gather their supplies at harvest'' (v. 8).
    The one difference between success and failure is often the person's willingness to wait for gratification. To save for tomorrow, to work now and buy later instead of enjoy now and pay later is an almost unheard of habit.  Yet, we're jeopardizing our children's future to have it before we've earned it.  Credit cards, second mortgages and national debts are the sins that will bring America down.  Greed, not terrorism is our greatest enemy. When people say I want to make a million, they usually mean, ``I want to spend a million.''  These two are entirely different things.
    Research shows that ninety percent of Americans who gain a windfall through the lottery or other unexpected source lose all of it within five years.  Most of us are economically illiterate.  A recent candidate said, ``My fellow citizens, what we need to do in this country is to borrow enough money to get completely out of debt.''
    A noted psychologist was asked to give the reasons why so many people failed in their efforts to achieve success.  The scientist gave the following frank and valid reasons:

    1.  Doing as little as possible and trying to get as much as possible for doing it . . .
    2.  Putting off until tomorrow what we should have done the day before yesterday . . .
    3.  Believing we are smart enough to reap a harvest of pay before sowing a crop of service . . .''

    What a lesson in prudence we could learn from the ant!  Providing for the future determines our survival as a species.  Yes, we need responsible investment and prudence. God worked and Jesus worked.  He said, ``My Father is working until now, and I myself am working'' (John 5:17).
    If God worked, and Jesus worked, what on earth makes us think we can get along without working?
    We must work.  A theologian said, ``It's a greater sin to not work on six days of the week, than it is to work on the Sabbath day. ``Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:  Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.  How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?  when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?'' (Prov. 6:6-9).
    So, as we celebrate this Labor Day, let’s honor those who aren’t afraid of work.  Let’s commit ourselves to honest labor without supervision; to begin immediately without being forced and especially to prepare for the future.

(WC1939

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copyrighted 2009 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THIS MESSAGE IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.  The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works. 

NEW PERSPECTIVES is a free service from Diversity Press.   

You may find other messages and a book list on our Webpage:
                                  www.ForMinistry.com/USOKSOBCOFBC5
or                               www.diversitypress.com

Email: wdiversitypress@aol.com or milesewesner@gmail.com
Phone: 1-580-286-3148


Miles E Wesner