“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame” (Proverbs 10:4,5).
TEXT —Proverbs 10:1-5
Message
The story is told of a woman named Didi who lives in the heart of a bustling metropolis. The young woman grew up in poverty but determined not to allow her circumstances to drown her determination to break the chain of poverty in her family. Opportunities were scarce in the village where she grew up, but her spirit was not going to succumb to the challenges. Recognising the potential in discarded plastic bottles in the city, she started collecting them, cleaning them, and transforming them into colourful bags and accessories. Through sheer determination and creativity, she built a thriving business, employing several people from her community. Didi’s story no doubt resonates with the success stories of many who have turned their challenges into cherished opportunities. The woman’s resourcefulness and hard work turned adversity into prosperity.
The text for meditation today focuses on the power and dignity of labour. It also refers to the treasure of wickedness which speaks directly and poignantly to the growing incidence of fraud, corruption, and greed in some societies. Many people now place undue importance and attraction on quick riches and effortless success. This biblical principle of diligent labour holds profound significance.
The passage provides a clear contrast between the paths of the diligent and the slothful, the wise, and the foolish, emphasizing the importance of hard work, righteousness, and prudence. Essentially, it calls us to abhor ill-gotten gains, acquired through dishonest means, which may appear attractive, but ultimately lead to destruction. Resourceful diligence, strategic investment, and godly wisdom coupled with righteousness will attract divine support, prosperity, protection, and lasting security.
The image of gathering crops in summer versus sleeping during harvest illustrates the contrast between strategic investment and slothful procrastination, between prudence and foolishness. True success and enduring prosperity can only be built on hard work, integrity, resourcefulness, and seizing opportunities when they arise towards earning legitimate incomes and creating wealth.
Thought for the day
Resourceful diligence and integrity create true prosperity.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work ’mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man’s work is done.
Glory to God for today’s daily manna. May the Almighty God inspire in me, divine wisdom to be resourceful, diligent and open to divine opportunities for true success and enduring prosperity in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work ’mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man’s work is done.
I learnt a lot this morning.Thanks so much this morning prayers was great.
Glory to God for today’s daily manna. May the Almighty God inspire in me, divine wisdom to be resourceful, diligent and open to divine opportunities for true success and enduring prosperity in Jesus’ name, Amen.