11/01/2021
There is no other creature God has made that is much more wiser that man—the intellectual capacity of man is "wayyyyy farrrrr" than that of the known wisest animal or insect existed or still exists. Yet, Proverbs 6:6 tells us "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"
Is the ant wiser than us? Of course not! This verse does not talk about how wise but how diligent the ants are compared to man. If the ant that is far way lesser than that of man's intellectual ability, but can be diligent and be able to create a dependable and strong shelter and store food that can last all winter or rainy season, how much more us—humans?
An ant works diligently without being told and forced to. It cooperates with other ants without arguing about how heavy or hard its job is compared to other ants. The attitude ants have in being diligent in business is supposed to be in every man's wisdom and responsibility. When an ant stores food it is not so much that it may have savings of its own selfishly but works and saves for itself and for all and any other ant in the colony.
The diligence of man in work, business or in anything should not be only to save or create wealth (for himself alone), but that he may be able to help his community and not be a burden to others—when we work hard and not become a burden to others we ultimately help our community—we contribute instead of becoming a burden.
The ants are more diligent than slothful (super tamad o bagal) men. We may learn wisdom from the meanest-hard-working insects, and be shamed by them. The habits of "katamaran" and indulgence grow upon people. Thus life runs to waste and poverty is just lurking around the corner, ready to surprise them. Poverty doesn't happen instantly kapatid, though at first at a distance it may seem not, but it gradually draws near, like a traveller and when it arrives it is like an armed man, too strong to be resisted—it robs you of anything that is left from your hands.
All this may be applied to the concerns of our souls. There is a stern warning here for all of us, not just materially and financially, but spiritually. How many among us are so "tamad" to pray, study the Bible and go to church; and love our sleep of sin; and our dreams of worldly happiness. As the encouragement in the same chapter says "wake up o sluggard"—we need to be awakened and start to change our ways and be diligent in our daily lives.
Let's be diligent kapatid, because the Lord rewards it with appropriate blessings.
Good morning and God bless!
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- Ptr. Alex Perez
