Be Diligent

On Wednesday nights, we have been discussing qualities and character traits that should be in you when you minister to others in your local church.  So far we have discussed the following traits: faithful, godly, Spirit-filled, and teachable.  We still want to study these qualities: diligent, humble, and charitable.

Tonight we’ll discuss “diligent”.

Diligent means characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.  Diligence is important for your:

Fruit – Prov 21:5. “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness: but of everyone that is hasty only to want”.  Plenteous means fruitful, productive.  To be fruitful in you work in the ministry takes diligent sowing, watering, praying, studying, and effort.

Flock – Prov 27:23.  “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds”.  You must look out for those to whom you minister.  It’s not enough to just be with them one hour of one day each week.

Future reward – Prov 10:4.  “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of diligent maketh rich”. Slack means characterized by slowness, sluggishness, or lack of energy.  To be “rich” with rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ, you must be diligent in your work for the Lord.

Future reign – Prov 12:24.  “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute”.  Slothful means lazy.  Prov 22:29 says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business?  He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men”.  We serve King Jesus, the Lord Christ.   And he intends for us to be kings and priests with him in his millennial reign.  He’ll be looking for men and women who are diligent in their work for him now.