Understanding the Advantages & Consequences
MAIN TEXTS: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:18 – 19
INTRODUCTION
At the end of this class, each person should:
- Be acquainted with more scriptures on diligence.
- Understand some areas to be diligent in
- Know the advantages of diligence and the consequences of Indiligence.
The book of Proverbs is very good for studying the subject of diligence because it was written by Solomon who was a very successful man. God made him the wisest man that lived until Jesus.
Proverbs 13 v 4: “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and (hath) nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat”.
This means that the appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing. He wants to have but God says, by spiritual law, that he shall have nothing.
1 Peter 5 v 2: “Feed the flock of God, which is among you, taking the oversight (thereof), not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Peter 5 v 2 (MSG): “Here is my concern that you care for God’s people with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously.
AREAS TO BE DILIGENT IN
We are to be diligent in every area of life and Spirit, but we can narrow it down to these key areas:
- Christian conduct: Diligence in Christian conduct includes being diligent:
- In prayer: 1Thessolians 5 v 17; James 5 v 16; 1 Timothy 2 v 1
- In studying the Word: 2 Timothy 2 v 15
- Diligence in fulfilling your purpose: 2 Peter 1 v 10; Hebrews 6 v 12
Jesus is the best example of someone who was diligent in fulfilling his purpose: John 4 v 34: ‘Jesus saith unto them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work’. Jesus fulfilled His purpose. Paul is another example of one who fulfilled his purpose, so much so that in 2 Timothy 4:7, he said, “…I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” He knew he had completed his work. In Hebrews 6 v 12, we are encouraged to follow those who are good examples; those who are making a success of their spiritual lives.
- Diligence in duty and service: Proverbs 10 v 4; Proverbs 22 v 29.
Be diligent in your duty and service. A bad boss shouldn’t change your character. Jacob is an example of someone who had a bad boss: his uncle who cheated him and changed his wages 10 times (Genesis 31 v 38 – 43). Despite all his uncle did to him, Jacob remained diligent. He didn’t change his character because his boss was bad. He remained faithful and served God as he should, and served his boss right, even though his boss was a cheat. Can you say that you have been consistently diligent in your job? Diligence is something you find in people raised by God for excellence.
ADVANTAGES OF BEING DILIGENT
- God rewards diligence.
- Diligence brings the blessings of God to your life.
- Diligence brings favour.
- Diligence brings promotion.
- Diligence brings wealth.
- Diligence makes you excellent.
CONSEQUENCES OF BEING INDILIGENT
Indiligence brings:
- Disfavour.
- Poverty.
- Fear.
- Disgrace.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
Here are a few questions for your personal attention in connection with the subject of diligence:
- Have you been diligent in prayer?
- Have you been diligent in the Word?
- Have you been diligent in ministry?
- Have you been diligent in giving and tithing?
- Have you been diligent in your job at work or in your business?
- Have you been diligent in attending training programs, classes, lectures, etc?
LESSONS LEARNT:
Some lessons learned from the beginning of this study are:
Diligence is conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task, giving the degree of care required in a particular situation. It is the exercise of carefulness, persistence, and determination in any endeavor to achieve a determined goal.
God wants us to be diligent, He wants us to put some care, attention, persistence, and determination in the things that He tells us to do; in things that make progress.