April 14

The extremity of the alternative stated in Proverbs 12:24 is enough to galvanize the most inert among us to determination and resolve and action! It states a clear distinction between a positive and energetic investment of our talents and our time and a lazy lack of concern regarding how we spend ourselves.

It states clearly, “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.” The harsh reality is that, as Ben Franklin observed in Poor Richard’s Almanac, “The early bird catches the worm.”

Life holds out a prize, a desirable end that will be attained by the one who is diligent in his pursuit of it. That is not to negate the reality that our focus is to be on the things of the Lord rather than on the things of earth nor the truth that the spirit realm is eternal while the temporal matters flee away. Nor is it to diminish the importance of giving our utmost endeavor to the attaining of spiritual goals.

Rather, it is to affirm that the Lord’s expectation is that we shall give due diligence to every task He sets before us, that we shall use our talents wisely. He fully expects us to “occupy” until He comes. If we do, we shall be found in a position of power and gain, not indebtedness and loss when He assesses our use of the talents He’s entrusted to us.