God’s Word for Today 6 Nov, 2024 11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. 12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. - Prov 12:11-12 ESV THE VIRTUE OF DILIGENCE Solomon contrasts the value of hard work and worthless pursuits of life. Diligent farmers will grab the opportune time in plowing, preparing the soil,and planting. They know the importance of the early and later rains. As he cultivates his field diligently, there is an expectation of fruits from his labor. There will be enough food for their tables. In contrast, they, who waste their time on lesser pursuits, lack sense. That is, they lack foresight. If a person engages in gambling for example thinking he will get more money, he will be miserable in the end. As a result, they will suffer hunger ultimately. More often than not, because of their lack, they will be jealous in what evildoers have.[see v. 12] There is a great discontentment in their lives. Like a parasite, he would suck the life out of others. He won’t be able to stand for his own for he doesn’t know how to work diligently and be productive. A spiritual application of this principle of diligence would be the urgency of reaching others with the gospel while there is time to do so. The harvest is ripe unto harvest and is plenty that needs much urgent attention. Jesus told His disciples not to delay in the harvesting of souls. He said, "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest" [John 4:35] The contrast would be failing to harvest souls because of a mind sidetracked with earthly pursuits. The psalmist observed, " Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psa 126:5–6). Should a soul is of much worth than all the riches of this world, he who really wins a lot of them is wise. Moreover, Jesus has taught us to focus on building up treasure in heaven, hasn’t He? (Mat 6:19–33). The righteous sees life through the perspective of eternity. He lives to honor the Lord, and he does not worry about material things. He seeks "the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (Col 3:1). His life is fruitful because he walks by the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 22–23). Sadly, the wicked person strives to obtain treasures on earth because life for him consists only on worldly riches. It’s pathetic that he has no interest in what is eternal (Luke 12:15–21). As the saying goes, “He is the poorest whose riches are only material things and nothing else.” Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmg Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio #gospellightfilipino #godswordfortoday #bookofProverbs