Previously, we examined three core demands of success. They include the divine direction factor, which is also known as vision or purpose. The divine wisdom factor—knowing how to get there is as crucial as knowing where you are going. We also explored the discipline factor, which is setting order in your life to manage your time, energy, and resources efficiently as you drive toward your God-ordained purpose. Let us examine the diligence factor.
What is diligence?
Diligence means giving your best towards achieving your set goals. It is about investing the best of your time, energy, and resources in driving towards your set goals. As it is written: By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through (Ecclesiastes 10:18). According to the Scripture, we are God’s building, and when we are not engaging in productive activities, we go down (1 Corinthians 3:9). You don’t go up without engaging productively in your pursuit. Therefore, don’t watch your life decay before your eyes.
Life is a marketplace, and you must find something productive to engage with. In that parable in Matthew 20, when Jesus saw that some folks were standing idle in the marketplace, He said: …Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you…(Matthew 20:4). He never gifted them money; He asked them to go and work, and what they were due would be paid. So, work is not a curse; it existed before the fall. As it is written: And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-16). There is what you must dress and keep before what to eat. The Bible also says: Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house (Proverbs 24:27). Building a house without working is robbery. Hard work is not a curse; it is a platform for accessing heavenly blessings (Psalm 1:3).
What are the benefits of hard work?
- It is a gateway to supernatural blessings. Concerning Abraham, the Bible says: And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things (Genesis 24:1; see also Galatians 3:13-14; Proverbs 14:23). Abraham, our covenant father, was a hard worker, and his blessings are still speaking today.
- It enthrones as in the case of Joseph. Joseph was a hard worker in the house of Potiphar. As it is written: And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field (Genesis 39:5). Hard work also enthroned him in the prison, and then to the throne of Egypt (Genesis 39:1-6,20-22; Genesis 41:37-44). The Word says: The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute (Proverbs 12:24). Only the diligent are entitled to rule.
- It keeps you physically and mentally fit like Moses. At 120 years old, Moses’ eyes were not dim, and neither was his natural force abated (Deuteronomy 34:7; see also Exodus 18:13-14).
In 1995, I took a trip to Ghana, where I came across a lorry with the inscription, there is no food for an idle man. Please note that it is the same even in the kingdom. As it is written: …that if any would not work, neither should he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Therefore, …lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet; otherwise, you will be off the race (Hebrews 12:12-13). If your story must change, you have a responsibility to come awake to the demands of success; your hand must be engaged in productive labour.
Jesus said: … My Father worketh hitherto, and I work (John 5:17; see also John 9:4). He is the Living Word, He has the anointing without measure, yet He had to work. He has set for us an example to follow in His steps. So, going about slothful, idle and doing nothing is not faith; it is deception and delusion. Profitable living is business; there are things you must do to be profitable in this adventure, and among these is productive labour.
Furthermore, grace without labour is disgrace; labour gives value to grace (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). Therefore, before you find what you want, whatever your hand finds to do at any point in time, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Things only work for workers; when you stop working, things will stop working. The only way to enhance your worth is through your work. If you take responsibility today, your tomorrow will be great and enviable.