Someone said “Bible” could be an acronym for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” So that means we find more than just spiritual things, but also principles, lessons, and doctrines we can apply to our lives, such that we glorify God while on earth. Diligence is one of such principles. Diligence, as defined by the Oxford dictionary, is “careful and persistent work or effort.” That is, a diligent person is not just persistent, but also does things carefully.
Have you ever considered that the richest man on earth is not necessarily a Christian? It is because affluence and greatness are attracted to diligence. Proverbs 22:29 KJV says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” The places, opportunities, and doors of favour that diligence will open up for you are much more than you can get by sudden luck. It is a principle that God stands by: diligence is the pathway to greatness.
“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”
Proverbs 22:29 KJV
Favour responds to diligence. Without preparation or effort, what should be favour may instead feel like a setup for disgrace. Here are some biblical examples of diligent people.
In Acts 9:36-40, we read about Tabitha’s story. She was a seamstress who was diligent in her work and in showing kindness as well. The day death came for her, it was her diligence that spoke for her. The saddened widows cried and called for the attention of the apostles. Eventually, she was brought back to life by the power of God. Maybe if she were not so careful or persistent in her acts of kindness, she would died, and that would have been the end. Galatians 6:9 ESV says,
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
David was diligent in his work as well. It is not surprising that he was privy to the throne room long before he became king. He was skillful in playing the harp, and that made him stand before King Saul. He was so diligent in tending to his father’s sheep that when the day of reckoning came, he was very prepared. He soon became the talk of the town, compared to the king. And finally, he became king himself. (1 Sam. 16-17, 2 Sam. 2)
We are told in Colossians 3:23 that whatever our hands find doing, we should do as unto the Lord. That is, if, for example, you’re working as a shoemaker, do it as if your customer is God Himself. Put in that excellence. Do it with all your might, that God may be glorified.
I believe this is a principle that believers need to hack. It is not only when you’re a pastor or bishop that you honor God with your work and time. If you do your secular job with all diligence, as unto the Lord, then surely you are glorifying Him. Diligence leads to excellence, and what better way is there to represent an excellent God through our work than to be excellent as well.
Many of us desire to be indispensable at work, to rise quickly up the ladder, or simply to be long-serving staff at jobs we think are a dream come true. But the truth is, life is about give and take. People who don’t bring some sort of value are easily let off. Or maybe your prayer this year is for God to use you for His glory. The trick is to become diligent. Diligence makes you a resourceful person, hard to let go of. As crazy as it may sound, even the devil desires diligent people because they get the job done.
Take Paul for an example. He was a battle axe in the devil’s hand because he was so diligent in his persecution (Acts 7:57-58, Acts 8:1-3). He took the matters so personally that he would even travel far and wide to conduct these trials (Acts 9:1-3). But glory be to God who saved his soul; he became even more useful for the Kingdom, writing almost two-thirds of the New Testament (Acts 9:3-30).
This type of diligence in devotion is what God desires from us (Deut. 6:17). To avoid falling into error, we must guide our hearts diligently, being careful of the things we think upon and the things we let into our minds (Pro. 4:23). We must diligently keep away from sin. A little compromise here and there is enough to throw you off balance. You must be careful and persistent to live in the newness of life that Christ has called you to.
Moreover, the reward of seeking God’s face—which is a necessity for spiritual growth—is given to those who seek Him diligently (Pro. 8:17). A half-hearted, lazy, or inconsistent search won’t get you the results you desire. You have to be persistent, and you have to do right.
Diligence is a quality that is not just endorsed by scripture but also preached by it. You can only achieve great things and attain great heights by being diligent (Pro. 10:4, Pro. 12:24). Cutting corners and being slothful will only make it more difficult because a lazy person always ends up having to do the hardest job. In fact, scripture says it will be forced labour (Pro. 12:24). And the time to be diligent is now(Jn. 9:4).
Be diligent in your work now, so you don’t bring poverty upon yourself (Pro. 10:4). Be diligent in prayer now, so you don’t have to forcefully pray unimaginable hours to reverse the effect of your prayerlessness. Be diligent in your devotion now, so you don’t have to sweat to correct your carelessness. Diligence in all that you do will guarantee you rewards and a rich supply.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
Proverbs 13:4 ESV
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Proverbs 10:4 ESV
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