"God 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."
Proverbs 6:6-8
Part 2
Yesterday: Feeling Lazy? Visit the Ants!
“Go to the ant, thou sluggard.”
“Consider her ways and be wise.”
When we watch the ants for a while, we are reminded just how lazy we tend to be.
Today: The Work Ethic of the Ants!
“Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler.”
The ant does not have a boss standing over it, watching it work. There is no need because the ant is a “self-starter.” The ant sees work and gets busy. No one has to tell the ant to “WORK!”
The “guide” is the captain who calls the plays. The “overseer” is the taskmaster that drives the workers forward. And of course, the “ruler” is the big boss who runs the show. The ants need none of them! They work!
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Proverbs 12:24).
“Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”
That tiny insect has the drive to “get it done today.” When there is the opportunity today to prepare for tomorrow, the ant takes it. They understand there are seasons where they must labor to thrive in the future.
“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer” (Proverbs 30:25).
The ants can “gather food in the harvest” because they have made their preparations in the summer. This makes them ready to live even through the cold of winter and into the following spring when they become active again. We are wise to follow their example.
Believers, we need to plan for eternity in the same way. The best time to plan for eternity is now, today. Isn’t this our message to the lost? They must turn to Jesus Christ now and not wait until their time is gone. They must be saved today! Today is the time to prepare for tomorrow! This same principle guides believers to send their treasures on ahead where they will be waiting for us.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
Quote: “Next time you see an ant, remember: winter is coming! The best time to prepare for tomorrow is today”[1] (Haddon W. Robinson).
[1] Robinson’s quote Downloaded: Friday, April 23, 2021. From: https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/ants.html.