"Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough." — Proverbs 21:5 (GNT)
Rushing has become the default setting for modern life. We want success, and we want it now. But today, we are pausing to look at a constructive instruction regarding life's progress.
To truly understand success, we must understand the meaning of diligence in the Bible. It is often through careful planning, not frantic speed, that we arrive at a conclusion of plentifulness.
What is the Meaning of Diligence in the Bible?
Many people mistake diligence for simple "hard work" or "busyness," but the biblical definition is far more profound.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "diligent" is Charuts. This word implies something sharp, decisive, and eager. It paints a picture of someone who does not just work hard, but works with precision and intention.
To understand the meaning of diligence in the Bible, we must look at three core distinctions:
| Haste (Rushing) | Diligence (Biblical) |
| 1. Acting without a map | Moving with a plan |
| 2. Activity without direction | Steady, consistent effort |
| 3. Leads to poverty (Prov 21:5) | Leads to plenty |
1. Diligence is Deliberate
Proverbs 21:5 draws a sharp contrast between the diligent and the hasty. God is a God of order, not chaos. Diligence requires the discipline to slow down and sharpen your axe before you start chopping the tree.
2. Diligence is Stewardship
In the New Testament context, diligence implies treating your time, resources, and gifts as a trust from God that must be managed carefully. It is speed combined with obedience.
3. Diligence Requires Forethought
A diligent person looks ahead. They anticipate needs and prepare for them. As the scripture says, "Plan carefully." The act of planning is, in itself, an act of diligence.
Careful Planning Produces Plenty: A Personal Lesson
As a young growing man, I struggled to understand this distinction. I was often in too much of a hurry to execute the ideas I conceived.
It was like driving a car faster than the speed limit without a map to reference when I got lost. I always wanted to do this and that, jumping from one idea to the next, but most times ended up doing none of them well.
All of this led to wasted time and a loss of resources. When I finally took a good look at my trajectory, I realized that the process, though painful, only required adequate planning to produce plentifully.
I decided to take a fresh look into the scriptures after watching a touching movie, "On Strike," which suggested a return to God. In the process, I came across Proverbs 21:5 and felt someone out there needs it as much as I do.
Plan Diligently To Produce Plentifully
Beloved, we can do better if we plan diligently without rushing. The anxiety that "time is not on our side" will be eliminated when we see that God is on our side.
The secret of progress is hidden in planning. I believe if we embrace the true meaning of diligence in the Bible: planning carefully as the scripture says, we will produce plentifully.
Action Steps for the Diligent Believer:
- Pause: Stop running and evaluate where you are.
- Surrender: Hand over your doubts and painful situations to God for a set period.
- Map it Out: Sit down and create a plan on how to navigate your current situation.
- Center God: Ensure your plan aligns with His will.
As Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
A Prayer for Diligence
Father, we ask for Your strength to overcome our weaknesses. Help us align our lives with Your plans. Replace our haste with wisdom and our anxiety with diligence, so that we may glorify You in our planning and our producing. Amen.
