HE WHO GATHERS MONEY LITTLE BY LITTLE
KEY VERSE: Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. PROVERBS 13:11
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PROVRBS 13:11 DEUTERONOMY 7:22-23
PROVERBS 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
DEUTERONOMY 7:22 The LORD you God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.
INTRODUCTION
Many people think that there is nothing wrong with making money without hard and honest labour. The mentality seems to be that how people acquire their wealth is not very important. People therefore assume that there is nothing wrong with making money through gambling, drug trafficking, corruption in offices and even armed robbery.
However, we have to note that if God is the ultimate one who gives wealth (Pr 8:21; 10:22) then he must have some principles for growing it. This week’s lesson shows that the Bible does not encourage this get-rich quick attitude which does not involve honest and hard work.
EXPOSITION
Wealth is a blessing from God (1Ki 3:13; Pr 8:18; Pr 10:22). But most often the wealth that God bestows on people comes by natural means. God will bless the ordinary honest labour of people’s hands. The case of God’s blessing of wealth to Issac came from the ordinary farming practices that he engaged in:
Issac planted crops in that land and the same
year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD
blessed him. The man became rich, and his
wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.
We also not that the blessings of Abraham and Jacob came to them as God promised, but they all inherited the promised wealth from hard honest labour and good planning. Wealth that is not the result of honest and hard labour is said to be ill-gotten and therefore dies not attract God’s blessing, which makes the wealth permanent.
It is interesting to note that such wealth does not last partly for lack of proper management in anticipation of the wealth. But the wealth that is gathered little by little does not overtake the management of the increase, so it is not lost quickly.
The management of wealth gotten little by little can be compared to the driving out of the nations before Israel little by little. It must be noted that the reason why God drove the nations away little by little (Deut 7:22) was that he wanted to arrest the situation where the land would become desolate for the wild animals to be too numerous for Israel to control (Ex. 23:28-30).
How Does the Bible Define Dishonest Money?
Proverbs 13:11 defines dishonest money as money gotten rapidly and not little by little, that is not from honest labour. Such monies would include monies gained through any of the following:
1. Lotteries and other forms of gambling
2. Monies gotten by means that are not approved by law, and are thus criminal (Pr 10:2). In the Ghanaian context such means would be monies gotten through dealing in drugs like cocaine, Indian hemp and other forms of drug peddling. Wealth acquired through armed robbery and corruption in office like the taking of bribes, over-invoicing and the taking of cuts over contracts awarded. Though such criminal means of wealth creation appear to be fast, Psalm 62:10 informs: “Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them” because they do not last and most often lead to quick deaths (Prov 10:2)
For John Wesley dishonest money is money acquired by means that are injurious to one’s health, the heath of other or the well being of society. That is why Methodist Christians do not have to trade in alcohol.
How Is Wealth To Be Created?
The Book of Proverbs showcases the way of accessing wealth that is both satisfying and fulfilling. The book show that wealth that is good comes by hard and honest labour. Prov. 10:4 says: Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Prov 6:10-11 also confirms this: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. The idea that wealth can be created without honest and hard labour therefore is not a teaching of the Bible.
Let us consider the following example of how wealth can be created little by little. If a petty trader is able to save 20Gp daily he or she would have saved GH¢6.20 in a month, in a year, they would have saved GH¢74 (¢740,000). If they put this in a money growing investment for ten years and do not stop the savings for the ten years, they would have saved at least GH¢888 (¢8,880,000), at an interest rate of even 7%. They would have added an amount in the neighbourhood of at least GH¢40 to bring their savings to about GH¢1000 without stress, because 20Gp can conveniently be put aside daily by many Ghanaians today.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What do you understand by dishonest wealth?
2. Drug pushers also work very hard to get their drugs to the consumers and out of the country. Do you think that the wealth they create is dishonest? Explain your answer.
3. Dishonest wealth slips through the fingers, and those who go after them lose their lives quickly.
i. Have you seen or heard of anybody about whom this has happened in real life?
ii. Why do people still go after dishonest wealth?
4. How does God bless hones labour?
5. Discuss how Credit Unions and other Investment bodies can help to create wealth. A credit union member may be called upon to give a testimony.
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
This week spend sometime looking at the work you do for a living.
1. Draw up a plan on how by saving small amounts at a time, you can accumulate enough to achieve you life’s dreams. Pray about it and put it into effect as soon as possible in the new year
2. Resolve in prayer to live the new year in ways that will always be pleasing to the Lord. You may revisit your vows of the Covenant Service found in the Book of Offices section of the Methodist Hymn Book.
3. Does your church have a Credit Union? Are you a member and how is it helping you to achieve your dreams?
4. A credit union member may be called upon to give a testimony.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Genesis 12:1-3 God Blesses the Obedient
Tuesday James 5:1-5 Be Fair to you Employers
Wednesday Proverbs 10:3-5 Diligent Hands Bring Wealth
Thursday Luke 12:16-21 Honour God with your Riches
Friday Zephaniah 1:12-13 Don’t be Complacent
Saturday Revelation 3:17-18 Buy God From the Lord
Sunday Ecclesiastes 5:10-13 Don’t Love Money
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
SPIRITUALITY VERSUS PRODUCTION
SPIRITUALITY VERSUS PRODUCTION
KEY VERSE: The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. PROVERBS 10:22
SCRIPTURE LESSONS: PROVERBS 10:22; 1THESSALONIANS 4:11, 12
PROVERBS 10:22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you. So that your daily life may win the respect of outsider
12 and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
INDTRODUCTION
Work is any physical or mental activity directed toward the accomplishment of a task or the labour by which people earn their livelihoods. Human beings as created were intended to work. One of their primary tasks in the Garden of Eden was to “work the ground” (Ge. 5:15). Although work was ordained by God as a blessing, it became a curse as a result of the Fall, since the ground was cursed (Ge. 3:17-19). Human beings would now have to work for their own support (2 Th 3:10).
In today’s lesson, we consider the attitude of some Christians who, as a result of the misinterpretation of certain Scriptural passages refuse to work, and instead devote their time to religious activities in the hope that God will take care of their needs.
As we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ we need to revisit the attitude of him who said, “My father is always at his work to this very day, and I too, am working” (Jn. 5:17)
EXPOSITION
THE ATTITUDE OF SOME CHRISTIAN IN THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH TO WORK
Some people in the Thessalonians church were falsely teaching that because Christ would return any day, people should be aside their responsibilities, quit work, do no future planning and just wait for the Lord. But their lack of activity only led them into sin. They became a burden to the church, which was supporting them; they wasted time that could have been used for helping others; and they meddled in other people’s affairs (3:11)
These church members may have thought that they were being spiritual by not working, but Paul exhorts them to be responsible and get back to work. Everyone should be involved in productive work. Being ready for Christ means obeying him in every area of life. Because we know that Christ is coming, we must live in such a way that our faith and our daily practice will please him when he arrives.
Paul urged that those who would not work should not eat. He may have been dealing with the laziness and idleness of those who thought there would be no tomorrow because they expected the immediate return of the Lord. It is important to note that these Macedonian believers, if they were the same ones that Paul referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:2, lived in abject poverty. And yet they considered themselves too spiritual to engage in secular work and rather waited for the coming of the Lord.
Summarizing his preceding instructions, Paul exhorted the Thessalonians believers to lead a quiet life, not referring to a lack of activity but rather to an inner quietness and peace befitting the Christian faith (see 1 Th 4:11, 12; 2 Th. 3:12; 1 Ti. 2:11). They should not be busybodies but should “mind” their “own business”. Usually people who are busy running other people’s affairs do not run their own affairs well. A Christian’s house should be in order as a testimony to others.
Paul also exhorted the Thessalonians “to work with” their “own hands” as he had done among them (1Th. 2:9). They may have been influenced by the general Greek abhorrence for physical labor. The educated Greek thought that ordinary work was degrading for a free person; it was for slaves. But Paul admonished the Christians to be dedicated and productive workers so that they might bring honor to Christ’s name.
THE ATTITUDE OF SOME MODERN DAY CHRISTIANS TO WORK
Like the Thessalonians Christians, some modern day Christians have negative attitudes towards work, giving the impression that work is something to be avoided. Such Christians would spend more time in prayer, Bible study, land the “things of God,” as a sign of their spirituality rather than engage in any productive activity that would earn them an income. Some too, because they are unemployed would spend too much time at prayer meetings and in the “things of God” instead of actively searching for and / or making plans for regular employment.
Very often such “spiritual” Christians support their action with passages from the Bible, the commonest being Proverbs 10:22. To enable us have a better appreciation of the passage we shall look at a few of the translations of the passage which are misinterpreted by these Christians to support their indifference and laxity towards work. They are:
The Lord’s blessing that makes you wealthy.
Hard work adds nothing to it!
The Good News Bible: Today’s English Version
The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth.
All our work adds nothing to it!
The Living Bible
It is the LORD’S blessing that brings wealth,
And no effort can substitute for it.
The New American Version
The misinterpretation of the passage based on these versions of the Bible has rendered some Christians unproductive. To them, the verse speaks against planning and hard work. As a result they are over-dependent on prayer; they are more interested in spending a greater part of their day at prayer centres, where they are prayed for in order to become successful, or prosperous in life.
Consequently, some pastors take advantage of their vulnerability and sell all sorts of “religious” items to them ranging from “holy water” to porridge. They also preach prosperity sermons in which they assure such Christians that they are “the head and not the tail,” and of how the riches of Christ is being transferred to them, and the like.
Let us examine how other versions of the Bible put the passage:
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich
And he addeth no sorrow with it.
The King James Version
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
And he adds no sorrow with it”
The New Revised Standard version
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
And he adds no trouble to it”
New International Version
The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich,
And he adds no sorrow with it
The New Living Translation
IN-DEPTH OF PROVERBS 10:22
The blessing of the LORD makes rich: It is only the blessing of the Lords that truly and these riches, properly attained and administered, will bring no sorrow to that person.
God doesn’t send sorrow to His children. All sorrow, sickness, and suffering come from Satan. God often permits them in the lives of his children but he is not the produce sorrow.
Another possible translation (margin of Revised Version and Revised Standard Version) is:
And toil adds nothing to it. Here the thought is that toil, apart from God, adds nothing to the blessing. That is, toil is good, but unless it is God-directed, it is fruitless (see Ps. 127:1,2). Whatever we receive from God, has his blessing in it, and will do us good. Cares, troubles, land difficulties come with all property not acquired in this way; but God’s blessing gives enjoyment, and comfort. Nothing can be added to that blessing, in order to complete it. It is totally efficient and sufficient in itself. This is the proper interpretation that may be given to the second part of the first three translations. Moreover, the word “riches” or “wealth” may be interpreted in a more wholistic or comprehensive way so that it includes not only physical riches or even spiritual riches alone buy also all that go into making one fulfilled in life.
The blessing of the Lord alone is the true source of wealth: industry and skill are only means. The blessing of the Lord (including his favour) teaches not only how to obtain and how to keep, but also how to cheerfully use riches (Ecc 2:24. 26; 3:13; 5:18-19).
From this version of Scripture, it is clear that this scripture promises that God’s blessings make us rich in ways more significant than having money. In other words, the Lord gives riches that bring no regrets. Since we are richly blessed by God’s salvation, guidance, care, favour, and wisdom, we need not worry.
SPIRITUALITY AND WORK
Spirituality is more than just attending church services, praying, studying the Bible, and engaging in other religious activities. As defined by Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary; spirituality is “Sensitivity or commitment to religious values and sacred matters.” In the New Testament a person is spiritual because of the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit, who also imparts spiritual gifts to the believer (Col 1:9).
Spirituality has to do with conduct and character, not just the religious activities one involves one’s self in. For this reason, one does not necessarily have to devote all of one’s life to praying and studying the Bible, or being in full-time ministry to be spiritual.
God commands Christians to work. He gives us the ability, strength and skills to earn a living. Work is God’s gift to us; it is a means of supplying what we need. Christians who borrow unnecessarily, steal or beg discredit Christ and the Church. God does not call His children o poverty, but to adequacy.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. “God adds no sorrow with his blessings”? How does this reconcile with the fact that godly people pass through times of deep sorrow?
2. The idea that god rewards godliness with material blessing can lead people to be irresponsible about work. Discuss.
3. Is it wrong for Christians to attend half-day or all-day prayer meetings? Give reasons for your answer.
4. Give practical examples of some of the dangers of Prosperity Theology (see 1Ti 6:3-6).
5. What advice or counsel would you give to a Christian who has prayed much for a job but does not seem to be succeeding?
6. At Christmastide, describe the kind of spirituality that should characterize our work and our celebrations?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
3. This week reflect on this question: How has your attitude towards work been a testimony to your faith? Share your insights with your class members.
Reflect over the year that is passing with the thoughts: how can I be a better, more committed Christian in the year that is approaching?
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 A command to work
Tuesday 1 Timothy 6:3-6 Goodliness and gain
Wednesday 1 Timothy 5:11-13 Shun idleness
Thursday 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The value of self-support
Friday Matthew 25:14-30 Making use of your talents
Saturday John 5:16-17 Good Continues to work
Sunday Genesis 1-2 God-the original worker
KEY VERSE: The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. PROVERBS 10:22
SCRIPTURE LESSONS: PROVERBS 10:22; 1THESSALONIANS 4:11, 12
PROVERBS 10:22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you. So that your daily life may win the respect of outsider
12 and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
INDTRODUCTION
Work is any physical or mental activity directed toward the accomplishment of a task or the labour by which people earn their livelihoods. Human beings as created were intended to work. One of their primary tasks in the Garden of Eden was to “work the ground” (Ge. 5:15). Although work was ordained by God as a blessing, it became a curse as a result of the Fall, since the ground was cursed (Ge. 3:17-19). Human beings would now have to work for their own support (2 Th 3:10).
In today’s lesson, we consider the attitude of some Christians who, as a result of the misinterpretation of certain Scriptural passages refuse to work, and instead devote their time to religious activities in the hope that God will take care of their needs.
As we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ we need to revisit the attitude of him who said, “My father is always at his work to this very day, and I too, am working” (Jn. 5:17)
EXPOSITION
THE ATTITUDE OF SOME CHRISTIAN IN THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH TO WORK
Some people in the Thessalonians church were falsely teaching that because Christ would return any day, people should be aside their responsibilities, quit work, do no future planning and just wait for the Lord. But their lack of activity only led them into sin. They became a burden to the church, which was supporting them; they wasted time that could have been used for helping others; and they meddled in other people’s affairs (3:11)
These church members may have thought that they were being spiritual by not working, but Paul exhorts them to be responsible and get back to work. Everyone should be involved in productive work. Being ready for Christ means obeying him in every area of life. Because we know that Christ is coming, we must live in such a way that our faith and our daily practice will please him when he arrives.
Paul urged that those who would not work should not eat. He may have been dealing with the laziness and idleness of those who thought there would be no tomorrow because they expected the immediate return of the Lord. It is important to note that these Macedonian believers, if they were the same ones that Paul referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:2, lived in abject poverty. And yet they considered themselves too spiritual to engage in secular work and rather waited for the coming of the Lord.
Summarizing his preceding instructions, Paul exhorted the Thessalonians believers to lead a quiet life, not referring to a lack of activity but rather to an inner quietness and peace befitting the Christian faith (see 1 Th 4:11, 12; 2 Th. 3:12; 1 Ti. 2:11). They should not be busybodies but should “mind” their “own business”. Usually people who are busy running other people’s affairs do not run their own affairs well. A Christian’s house should be in order as a testimony to others.
Paul also exhorted the Thessalonians “to work with” their “own hands” as he had done among them (1Th. 2:9). They may have been influenced by the general Greek abhorrence for physical labor. The educated Greek thought that ordinary work was degrading for a free person; it was for slaves. But Paul admonished the Christians to be dedicated and productive workers so that they might bring honor to Christ’s name.
THE ATTITUDE OF SOME MODERN DAY CHRISTIANS TO WORK
Like the Thessalonians Christians, some modern day Christians have negative attitudes towards work, giving the impression that work is something to be avoided. Such Christians would spend more time in prayer, Bible study, land the “things of God,” as a sign of their spirituality rather than engage in any productive activity that would earn them an income. Some too, because they are unemployed would spend too much time at prayer meetings and in the “things of God” instead of actively searching for and / or making plans for regular employment.
Very often such “spiritual” Christians support their action with passages from the Bible, the commonest being Proverbs 10:22. To enable us have a better appreciation of the passage we shall look at a few of the translations of the passage which are misinterpreted by these Christians to support their indifference and laxity towards work. They are:
The Lord’s blessing that makes you wealthy.
Hard work adds nothing to it!
The Good News Bible: Today’s English Version
The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth.
All our work adds nothing to it!
The Living Bible
It is the LORD’S blessing that brings wealth,
And no effort can substitute for it.
The New American Version
The misinterpretation of the passage based on these versions of the Bible has rendered some Christians unproductive. To them, the verse speaks against planning and hard work. As a result they are over-dependent on prayer; they are more interested in spending a greater part of their day at prayer centres, where they are prayed for in order to become successful, or prosperous in life.
Consequently, some pastors take advantage of their vulnerability and sell all sorts of “religious” items to them ranging from “holy water” to porridge. They also preach prosperity sermons in which they assure such Christians that they are “the head and not the tail,” and of how the riches of Christ is being transferred to them, and the like.
Let us examine how other versions of the Bible put the passage:
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich
And he addeth no sorrow with it.
The King James Version
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
And he adds no sorrow with it”
The New Revised Standard version
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
And he adds no trouble to it”
New International Version
The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich,
And he adds no sorrow with it
The New Living Translation
IN-DEPTH OF PROVERBS 10:22
The blessing of the LORD makes rich: It is only the blessing of the Lords that truly and these riches, properly attained and administered, will bring no sorrow to that person.
God doesn’t send sorrow to His children. All sorrow, sickness, and suffering come from Satan. God often permits them in the lives of his children but he is not the produce sorrow.
Another possible translation (margin of Revised Version and Revised Standard Version) is:
And toil adds nothing to it. Here the thought is that toil, apart from God, adds nothing to the blessing. That is, toil is good, but unless it is God-directed, it is fruitless (see Ps. 127:1,2). Whatever we receive from God, has his blessing in it, and will do us good. Cares, troubles, land difficulties come with all property not acquired in this way; but God’s blessing gives enjoyment, and comfort. Nothing can be added to that blessing, in order to complete it. It is totally efficient and sufficient in itself. This is the proper interpretation that may be given to the second part of the first three translations. Moreover, the word “riches” or “wealth” may be interpreted in a more wholistic or comprehensive way so that it includes not only physical riches or even spiritual riches alone buy also all that go into making one fulfilled in life.
The blessing of the Lord alone is the true source of wealth: industry and skill are only means. The blessing of the Lord (including his favour) teaches not only how to obtain and how to keep, but also how to cheerfully use riches (Ecc 2:24. 26; 3:13; 5:18-19).
From this version of Scripture, it is clear that this scripture promises that God’s blessings make us rich in ways more significant than having money. In other words, the Lord gives riches that bring no regrets. Since we are richly blessed by God’s salvation, guidance, care, favour, and wisdom, we need not worry.
SPIRITUALITY AND WORK
Spirituality is more than just attending church services, praying, studying the Bible, and engaging in other religious activities. As defined by Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary; spirituality is “Sensitivity or commitment to religious values and sacred matters.” In the New Testament a person is spiritual because of the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit, who also imparts spiritual gifts to the believer (Col 1:9).
Spirituality has to do with conduct and character, not just the religious activities one involves one’s self in. For this reason, one does not necessarily have to devote all of one’s life to praying and studying the Bible, or being in full-time ministry to be spiritual.
God commands Christians to work. He gives us the ability, strength and skills to earn a living. Work is God’s gift to us; it is a means of supplying what we need. Christians who borrow unnecessarily, steal or beg discredit Christ and the Church. God does not call His children o poverty, but to adequacy.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. “God adds no sorrow with his blessings”? How does this reconcile with the fact that godly people pass through times of deep sorrow?
2. The idea that god rewards godliness with material blessing can lead people to be irresponsible about work. Discuss.
3. Is it wrong for Christians to attend half-day or all-day prayer meetings? Give reasons for your answer.
4. Give practical examples of some of the dangers of Prosperity Theology (see 1Ti 6:3-6).
5. What advice or counsel would you give to a Christian who has prayed much for a job but does not seem to be succeeding?
6. At Christmastide, describe the kind of spirituality that should characterize our work and our celebrations?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
3. This week reflect on this question: How has your attitude towards work been a testimony to your faith? Share your insights with your class members.
Reflect over the year that is passing with the thoughts: how can I be a better, more committed Christian in the year that is approaching?
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 A command to work
Tuesday 1 Timothy 6:3-6 Goodliness and gain
Wednesday 1 Timothy 5:11-13 Shun idleness
Thursday 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The value of self-support
Friday Matthew 25:14-30 Making use of your talents
Saturday John 5:16-17 Good Continues to work
Sunday Genesis 1-2 God-the original worker
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
GO TO THE ANT
GO TO THE ANT
KEY VERSE: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its way and be wise! PROVERBS 6:6-11
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PROVERBS 6:6-11
6 Go to ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, not overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, la little folding of the hands to rest –
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
For the Teacher ….
BACKGROUND
In verse 6-8 of Proverbs Chapter 6, the ant is presented as an example of a self-disciplined creature which works without any outside pressure or coercion. Without any supervision, this tiny creature gathers and stores provisions to see it though future days when food will be scarce. The writer suggests that there is wisdom in hard work motivated by a spirit of foresight and diligence.
God has provided ants with such amazing instincts that they appear to reason and plan ahead. Their hard work is considered a worthy example for human beings by the writer of Proverbs (6:6-8; 30:25). So we may learn from their ways if we are to be successful in life.
IN DEPTH
PROVERBS 6:6 This is a warning against the wastefulness of the lazy. The point of comparison with the ant is not so much the foresight of the insect as its unwearied activity during the appointed season,
Ant: The ant’s industry gives the appearance of far-sighted activity (see also Prov. 30:25).
The sluggard is mentioned in 13 verses of Proverbs (eg. 10:26; 13:4; 19:24; 20:4; 22:13; 24:30-34; 26:13-16; cf. 20:13). His procrastination and lack of initiative are strongly condemned (Pr. 15:19). His foolishness is evident in his lack of preparing for the future. Rather he prefers to stay in bed (Pr. 6:9, 10). As he waits and does nothing, opportunities slip away, and without notice his poverty and need overwhelm him. The sluggard is the habitually lazy person. His inactivity expresses an attitude of folly (13:4; 19:24; 26:16).
He likes to sleep (Pr. 6:6-11; 24:30-34) and expects everybody else to serve him (Pr. 19:24)
He dreams of wealth but ends up poor (Pr. 13:4; 21:25-26.
He is good at excuses (Pr. 20:4; 22:13; 26:13-16) but poor at performance (Pr. 10:26).
He is not a builder but a destroyer (Pr. 18:9
VERSE 7 no commander, no overseer, or ruler – that is, the ant has no leader of any kind, whereas bees and cranes have. This means that the ant does not have to have a taskmaster standing over it to make it work; it is a self-starter.
VERSE 8 The heat of summer does not prevent the ant from toiling while the favourable season for getting food lasts. The ant is wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances.
VERSE 9 God designed that man “goes out to his work, to his labour until evening” (Ps 104:23), which allows only about seven hours for sleep.
VERSE 11 poverty will come on you like a bandit – an armed robber who actively but stealthily advances nearer and nearer his prey, bent on doing you evil. The more you delay and sleep, the more poverty catches up with you.
and scarcity like an armed man – literally, ‘a shielded man;’ reckless, and furnished with arms of defense and offence, whom you cannot keep away since you are unarmed and asleep; so does scarcity grip the lazy, (cf, Pr 24:34).
Poverty Proverbs warns against attitudes and behaviour that produce poverty. Laziness is one of these (10:4,5; 19:15;20:13). While diligence and industry are normally associated with prosperity (12:11; 13:4; 14:23), it must not be thought that all poverty is the result of folly (19:1, 22; 21:13; 22:22-23). Two questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard. His answer is given in verse 10: “Just a little bit more sleep!” The result of such laziness is dreadful poverty, which will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber.
For the Student
THE WORD IN OUR LIVE
One of the great sins among Christians today is laziness. Laziness is manifested in Habit like lack of initiative, procrastination, passivity and lack of discipline. All this they do unaware of the dreadful results. Laziness is a habit and its end result is usually failure and poverty. Hard work and effort is the way to success and wealth.
One great truth about the ant is that it is as diligent in business as anyone can possibly be. This is something that the child of God can learn from the little ant. This ant is busy doing what the most important thing in its life is – getting food for the winter, caring for the future and it is busy about it.
It is amazing that ants should have such order in the absence of a leader. It is therefore inexcusable that human beings, who have so many resources to urge them to work – parents, Ministers, teachers, other people’s example of the good results of hard work and the example of the evil effects of laziness – should ever be lazy. Laziness is a habit and its end result is usually failure and poverty. Hard work and effort is the way to success and wealth. Laziness is against nature. Leaders should not allow anyone under them to be lazy.
The ant has a lesson for all of us, there is no formula or shortcut to success in any area of life – religion, business, academia, etc. What is required is self-discipline, which certainly a character trait of all successful people. By avoiding procrastination and doing what we ought to, we’ll worry much less about failure, scarcity and needs. If laziness turns us from lour responsibilities, poverty may soon prevent us from the legitimate rest and peace we should enjoy.
John C. Maxwell summarizes the lessons the ant teaches us with the following acronym:
A – Attitude of Initiative
Ants don’t need a commander to tell them to get started.
N – Nature of Integrity
Ants work faithfully and need no outside accountability to keep them doing right.
T – Thirst for Industry
Ants work hard and will replace their anthill when it gets ruined.
S - Source of Insight
Ants store provisions in summer:
If we consider and learn from the ways of the ant, we can grow wise.
(Culled from The Maxwell Leadership Bible by John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Bibles, 2002)
TEST YOURSELF
1. Quote Proverbs 6:6
2. True or False?
g. The ant loves to sleep (verses 6, 10, 11)
h. The ant needs to be supervised to be able to work (verse 7)
i. The ant stores up its provisions in summer (verse 8)
5 Fill in the blank spaces
It has no __________. no __________ or _________. yet it ________ in ________ and gathers its food at harvest (vv. 7-8).
4 Complete: How long will you lie there, you sluggard? _______ (verse 9)
5. To what is poverty likened in Proverbs 6:11?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
13. Discuss the principle of success summarized in Proverbs 14:23: All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
14. The Bible underscores the importance of committing our ways to the Lord. For example, Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. “ How then do we have to work hard in order to achieve success?
15. Proverbs warns against attitudes and behavior that result in poverty. Laziness is one of these (10:4,5; 19:15; 20:13). Identify and discuss three other such attitudes and how they produce poverty.
16. Do you agree with the statement that “Not all poverty is the result of laziness?” explain your answer.
17. Proverbs condemns the sluggard’s passivity, the habit of procrastination, the lack of initiative, and the lack of discipline:
e. Give practical examples of how these attitudes are manifested in our home, church, workplace, land the society.
f. How can we overcome these attitudes
18. Does the generality of Ghanaian attitude to work reflect more the diligence of the ant of the laziness of the sluggard? Explain your answer. What kind of active work should characterize Christians this Christmas season?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Pr. 6:6). Meditate on this verse. How does it speak to you personally concerning your attitude to work? Share your insights with your class.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Proverbs 6:1-5 Warning against guaranteeing another
Person’s debt
Tuesday Proverbs 6:12-19 Warning against Deceit and Malice
Wednesday Proverbs 6:20-35 Warning against Adultery
Thursday Proverbs 23:20-21 Warning against Gluttony and
Drunkenness
Friday Proverbs 23:15-19 Developing a wise heart
Saturday Proverbs 11:25-28 Achieving financial security
Sunday Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the Ant
KEY VERSE: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its way and be wise! PROVERBS 6:6-11
SCRIPTURE LESSON: PROVERBS 6:6-11
6 Go to ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, not overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, la little folding of the hands to rest –
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
For the Teacher ….
BACKGROUND
In verse 6-8 of Proverbs Chapter 6, the ant is presented as an example of a self-disciplined creature which works without any outside pressure or coercion. Without any supervision, this tiny creature gathers and stores provisions to see it though future days when food will be scarce. The writer suggests that there is wisdom in hard work motivated by a spirit of foresight and diligence.
God has provided ants with such amazing instincts that they appear to reason and plan ahead. Their hard work is considered a worthy example for human beings by the writer of Proverbs (6:6-8; 30:25). So we may learn from their ways if we are to be successful in life.
IN DEPTH
PROVERBS 6:6 This is a warning against the wastefulness of the lazy. The point of comparison with the ant is not so much the foresight of the insect as its unwearied activity during the appointed season,
Ant: The ant’s industry gives the appearance of far-sighted activity (see also Prov. 30:25).
The sluggard is mentioned in 13 verses of Proverbs (eg. 10:26; 13:4; 19:24; 20:4; 22:13; 24:30-34; 26:13-16; cf. 20:13). His procrastination and lack of initiative are strongly condemned (Pr. 15:19). His foolishness is evident in his lack of preparing for the future. Rather he prefers to stay in bed (Pr. 6:9, 10). As he waits and does nothing, opportunities slip away, and without notice his poverty and need overwhelm him. The sluggard is the habitually lazy person. His inactivity expresses an attitude of folly (13:4; 19:24; 26:16).
He likes to sleep (Pr. 6:6-11; 24:30-34) and expects everybody else to serve him (Pr. 19:24)
He dreams of wealth but ends up poor (Pr. 13:4; 21:25-26.
He is good at excuses (Pr. 20:4; 22:13; 26:13-16) but poor at performance (Pr. 10:26).
He is not a builder but a destroyer (Pr. 18:9
VERSE 7 no commander, no overseer, or ruler – that is, the ant has no leader of any kind, whereas bees and cranes have. This means that the ant does not have to have a taskmaster standing over it to make it work; it is a self-starter.
VERSE 8 The heat of summer does not prevent the ant from toiling while the favourable season for getting food lasts. The ant is wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances.
VERSE 9 God designed that man “goes out to his work, to his labour until evening” (Ps 104:23), which allows only about seven hours for sleep.
VERSE 11 poverty will come on you like a bandit – an armed robber who actively but stealthily advances nearer and nearer his prey, bent on doing you evil. The more you delay and sleep, the more poverty catches up with you.
and scarcity like an armed man – literally, ‘a shielded man;’ reckless, and furnished with arms of defense and offence, whom you cannot keep away since you are unarmed and asleep; so does scarcity grip the lazy, (cf, Pr 24:34).
Poverty Proverbs warns against attitudes and behaviour that produce poverty. Laziness is one of these (10:4,5; 19:15;20:13). While diligence and industry are normally associated with prosperity (12:11; 13:4; 14:23), it must not be thought that all poverty is the result of folly (19:1, 22; 21:13; 22:22-23). Two questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard. His answer is given in verse 10: “Just a little bit more sleep!” The result of such laziness is dreadful poverty, which will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber.
For the Student
THE WORD IN OUR LIVE
One of the great sins among Christians today is laziness. Laziness is manifested in Habit like lack of initiative, procrastination, passivity and lack of discipline. All this they do unaware of the dreadful results. Laziness is a habit and its end result is usually failure and poverty. Hard work and effort is the way to success and wealth.
One great truth about the ant is that it is as diligent in business as anyone can possibly be. This is something that the child of God can learn from the little ant. This ant is busy doing what the most important thing in its life is – getting food for the winter, caring for the future and it is busy about it.
It is amazing that ants should have such order in the absence of a leader. It is therefore inexcusable that human beings, who have so many resources to urge them to work – parents, Ministers, teachers, other people’s example of the good results of hard work and the example of the evil effects of laziness – should ever be lazy. Laziness is a habit and its end result is usually failure and poverty. Hard work and effort is the way to success and wealth. Laziness is against nature. Leaders should not allow anyone under them to be lazy.
The ant has a lesson for all of us, there is no formula or shortcut to success in any area of life – religion, business, academia, etc. What is required is self-discipline, which certainly a character trait of all successful people. By avoiding procrastination and doing what we ought to, we’ll worry much less about failure, scarcity and needs. If laziness turns us from lour responsibilities, poverty may soon prevent us from the legitimate rest and peace we should enjoy.
John C. Maxwell summarizes the lessons the ant teaches us with the following acronym:
A – Attitude of Initiative
Ants don’t need a commander to tell them to get started.
N – Nature of Integrity
Ants work faithfully and need no outside accountability to keep them doing right.
T – Thirst for Industry
Ants work hard and will replace their anthill when it gets ruined.
S - Source of Insight
Ants store provisions in summer:
If we consider and learn from the ways of the ant, we can grow wise.
(Culled from The Maxwell Leadership Bible by John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Bibles, 2002)
TEST YOURSELF
1. Quote Proverbs 6:6
2. True or False?
g. The ant loves to sleep (verses 6, 10, 11)
h. The ant needs to be supervised to be able to work (verse 7)
i. The ant stores up its provisions in summer (verse 8)
5 Fill in the blank spaces
It has no __________. no __________ or _________. yet it ________ in ________ and gathers its food at harvest (vv. 7-8).
4 Complete: How long will you lie there, you sluggard? _______ (verse 9)
5. To what is poverty likened in Proverbs 6:11?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
13. Discuss the principle of success summarized in Proverbs 14:23: All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
14. The Bible underscores the importance of committing our ways to the Lord. For example, Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. “ How then do we have to work hard in order to achieve success?
15. Proverbs warns against attitudes and behavior that result in poverty. Laziness is one of these (10:4,5; 19:15; 20:13). Identify and discuss three other such attitudes and how they produce poverty.
16. Do you agree with the statement that “Not all poverty is the result of laziness?” explain your answer.
17. Proverbs condemns the sluggard’s passivity, the habit of procrastination, the lack of initiative, and the lack of discipline:
e. Give practical examples of how these attitudes are manifested in our home, church, workplace, land the society.
f. How can we overcome these attitudes
18. Does the generality of Ghanaian attitude to work reflect more the diligence of the ant of the laziness of the sluggard? Explain your answer. What kind of active work should characterize Christians this Christmas season?
BIBLE LESSON APPLICATION
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Pr. 6:6). Meditate on this verse. How does it speak to you personally concerning your attitude to work? Share your insights with your class.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Monday Proverbs 6:1-5 Warning against guaranteeing another
Person’s debt
Tuesday Proverbs 6:12-19 Warning against Deceit and Malice
Wednesday Proverbs 6:20-35 Warning against Adultery
Thursday Proverbs 23:20-21 Warning against Gluttony and
Drunkenness
Friday Proverbs 23:15-19 Developing a wise heart
Saturday Proverbs 11:25-28 Achieving financial security
Sunday Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the Ant
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