Don’t you love it, former procrastinators, when somebody else talks on a subject dear to your heart? We recently heard a sermon on the ant in Proverbs 6. The Lord used this ant to wake me up about procrastination – hence, the ant that appears on this site.
First, however, we vote this week. We are salt and light as we align with the platform and policies that most closely align with God’s way. And let us pray.
Now, applications I drew from Pastor Matthew Capone’s characteristics of ant people:
Be a self-starter. A wise person does not require someone to tell her what to do or to be present in order for her to work. (Learn this early or suffer big shock when you no longer live at home.)
Use what you have. The master’s commendation is for using what He provides, not for how many “talents” we have.
Do the job, liking it or not. “Why can’t he apply the same diligence to math he applies to baseball?” He likes baseball. (I’ve heard, “He’s not lazy. When he wants to do something, he does it.”) The test is does he do the job when he does not want to?
Develop a good work ethic while young. You will not suddenly like to work when you’re older. (We seek to develop this trait in our children.)
See the connection between present actions (or inactions) and future consequences. Simple people don’t connect those dots. It appears for a time we get away with being slothful, but consequences catch us later. (Remember my friend’s words? You reap what you sow. You reap more than you sow. You reap at a different time than you sow.)
Listen to the sermon here http://cmpca.net/sermon/go-to-the-ant/ Go all the way through because Pastor Matthew connects work principles with our motivation. That’s key. The Lord assigned work before the fall. It’s a blessing. Whether changing diapers or writing software, our work is for His glory. We get to partner with Him. Being an ant person is a good way to follow Jesus closely.
In the pastor’s words, this week, how can your work “help people live well in God’s world”?
This one is really good! i needed to read this. keep up the great work!