“Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth” (Proverbs 12:27 ESV)

The Scripture describes diligence as man’s precious possession. Why do you think is this so?

Being successful in career, in business and life in general requires more than just talent, intelligence and wisdom, it takes hard work and persistence.

It requires diligence.

Diligence, according to the Oxford Universal Dictionary, is “careful attention, industry, assiduity; unremitting application, persistent endeavor.” It is the opposite of carelessness, inconsistency, negligence or slothfulness.

Diligent people are those who have set their eyes on their goals and they exert tremendous effort to reach them.

No shortcuts. Giving up is never an option. Being lazy is detested. There is no room for idleness and complacency. Mediocrity is never a consideration.

They are people of responsibility. They will follow through with conscientiousness whatever task they are entrusted with. Therefore, they can be relied on.

We should endeavor to be diligent in everything we do. This must be our attitude in the workplace or wherever God has placed us.

He expects nothing less because we are called to be imitators of Him. We have to realize that He is ultimately our boss and diligence pleases Him.

Success cannot be achieved overnight. Most, if not all successful leaders and personalities in different fields, including business, diligently work their way to the top. They face countless opposition, challenges and trials along the way but they persevere. They have their eyes fixed on their target and they work hard to reach it.

“Never climb the tree with the reason of plucking a fruit; only to get there and pick a leaf. Let everything you get there to do be done and let it be done well!” says Israelmore Ayivor, a Christian writer and author of the Great Hand Book of Quotes.

Whether you are a leader or a subordinate, diligence surely brings great rewards. Diligence will bring promotion and prosperity. It is diligence that brings many people from poverty to prosperity. Proverbs 21:5 clearly says that “the plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty”. Diligence turns dreams to reality, impossibilities to possibilities.

God admonishes us to be diligent in every way; in the way we conduct our work and businesses, in raising our families, in fulfilling our calling, and most importantly, in walking with Him. He urges us to be spiritually diligent. He promises in the book of Hebrews that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. It also says in Deuteronomy 28:1, “If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God…the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” And if we diligently follow Christ, he promises this in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Reflect on how you do your work.

Is it with due diligence?

Are you giving your best in everything you are doing?

If so, be assured of a great reward.