Proverbs - Diligence and Protection

Proverbs 22:29

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Diligence can be seen and diligence will bring honor.  Being diligent means doing things faithfully and doing them well.  Whatever business we find ourselves doing we need to do it heartily as unto the Lord and not for men.  We should clean our homes unto the Lord giving Him thanks while we are doing it.  If we are employed, we should follow protocol, be on time and go the extra mile so that our witness shines as we believe we are working for the Lord Jesus Himself.  A minimal effort should not be given from a disciple of Jesus Christ.  We approach a task depending on His wisdom and strength and seek to honor Him while we are doing it.  If we are diligent the Lord promises us that we will be delivered from the wrong types of people.  First of all, we are so busy we won’t end up wandering into the wrong company.  Those who are lazy or want to get rich doing nothing, will not want to hang around us because our diligence will frustrate them.  Secondly, the Lord will cause us to be noticed by those in authority and promotion and honor will follow.  We don’t work diligently to be noticed, but diligence will be noticed.  In all labor there is profit.  Do you want your life delivered from mean men?  Work hard today and be diligent in whatever your hand finds to do.