Lessons from an Ant

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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

11/03/2020

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Today we continue with practical admonitions (practical advice) for living. Yesterday warned against cosigning for another's loans - although the advice more broadly spoke against speaking and acting before thinking and making promises that cannot be kept. The verses for today discuss the work ethic we are to have if we wish to succeed in life. 


"Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise. Without having any chief or officer or ruler, it prepares its food in summer, and gathers its sustenance in harvest. How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior."  (Prov. 6:6-11)

For the parents or grandparents reading this today, don't some of these words sound familiar? I find it interesting that these words were uttered from parent to child thousands of years ago. And that the ant was used as an example. The type of work has changed over the centuries, but not the concept. What do you think Solomon is saying when he compares poverty to a robber and want to an armed warrior? The want he is speaking of, by the way, is more than mere desire for some object - he is speaking of the want that comes from poverty which leaves a person without essentials such as shelter, food, water, and clothing. That type of poverty can "sneak" up on a person slowly (particularly a person who, for whatever reason, begins to sleep more and work less), but when it comes it is as fierce and powerful as an armed warrior. 

Meditation thought for the day: Consider Solomon's words in context of your faith and your walk with God. It's easy to skip reading our Bible or praying on a given day or even easier to shorten our time with God. We get busy living life - and we tell ourselves we'll pray tomorrow, catch up on our Bible study later. And tomorrow comes less and less frequently. Just as we commit to our work/careers, we need to commit to God. If we don't, spiritual "poverty" is the result. When it comes to your faith, are you imitating the ant?
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Today we continue with practical admonitions (practical advice) for living. Yesterday warned against cosigning for another's loans - although the advice more broadly spoke against speaking and acting before thinking and making promises that cannot be kept. The verses for today discuss the work ethic we are to have if we wish to succeed in life. 


"Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise. Without having any chief or officer or ruler, it prepares its food in summer, and gathers its sustenance in harvest. How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior."  (Prov. 6:6-11)

For the parents or grandparents reading this today, don't some of these words sound familiar? I find it interesting that these words were uttered from parent to child thousands of years ago. And that the ant was used as an example. The type of work has changed over the centuries, but not the concept. What do you think Solomon is saying when he compares poverty to a robber and want to an armed warrior? The want he is speaking of, by the way, is more than mere desire for some object - he is speaking of the want that comes from poverty which leaves a person without essentials such as shelter, food, water, and clothing. That type of poverty can "sneak" up on a person slowly (particularly a person who, for whatever reason, begins to sleep more and work less), but when it comes it is as fierce and powerful as an armed warrior. 

Meditation thought for the day: Consider Solomon's words in context of your faith and your walk with God. It's easy to skip reading our Bible or praying on a given day or even easier to shorten our time with God. We get busy living life - and we tell ourselves we'll pray tomorrow, catch up on our Bible study later. And tomorrow comes less and less frequently. Just as we commit to our work/careers, we need to commit to God. If we don't, spiritual "poverty" is the result. When it comes to your faith, are you imitating the ant?
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