Day 25 — Learn from the Ant

“Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.”

— Proverbs 6:6–8 (BSB)

Have you ever watched ants? Go outside and find an anthill sometime. You’ll see ants marching back and forth, carrying crumbs, leaves and bits of food many times bigger than they are. They never seem to stop. They’re always busy.

Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived, said, Want to be wise? Go watch an ant.

“Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker.” A slacker is someone who’s lazy, someone who avoids work and puts off what needs to be done.

What’s so special about ants?

Nobody has to make them work. “Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler.” There’s no ant boss standing over them yelling, “Get to work!” They just do what needs to be done.

They plan ahead. “It prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.” Ants gather food when it’s available, so they’ll have enough for the winter. They don’t wait until the last minute.

Some guys struggle with this. They’ll play video games for hours, but when it’s time for homework or chores, suddenly they’re “too tired.” They wait until someone yells at them to clean their room. They leave the school project for the night before it’s due.

Being lazy might feel good for a little while. But Proverbs warns that laziness leads to trouble. Work doesn’t disappear if you ignore it. It just piles up.

Here’s what it looks like to be like the ant:

• Do your work without being told. Don’t wait for your parents to nag you.
• Work first, then play. Get the homework and chores done, and then enjoy your free time.
• Plan ahead. Start big projects early.
• Finish what you start.
• Do your best, not just the bare minimum.

God made you to work. Before sin ever entered the world, God gave Adam a job in the garden. Work isn’t a punishment. It’s part of how God made us. And doing it well is a way of honoring Him.

Think about it: In what area of your life are you most like the “slacker”? What would it look like to be more like the ant?

Try this: Do one job today without anyone telling you to. Clean your room, do your homework early or help with a chore before being asked.

Dear God, help me not to be lazy. Help me be like the ant: working without being told, planning ahead and finishing what I start. Help me see that work is a gift from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.