The Ant and the Sluggard

It's funny how God can use the same Scripture to teach me multiple lessons. As I work on Change From the Heart ~ Lifestyle Budgeting for my publisher the Dabbling Mum it is easy to apply the lesson of the ant and the sluggard to finances and saving.

Proverbs 6:1-11

My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, have given a pledge for a stranger, {If} you have been snared with the words of your mouth, have been caught with the words of your mouth, do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids; deliver yourself like a gazelle from {the hunter's} hand and like a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer {And} gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest"--Your poverty will come in like a vagabond And your need like an armed man.

I pondered this Scripture as my daughter and I walked. In my studies I learned that a sluggard is lazy (I knew that), but will do what needs to be done when it has to be done but will allow others to do what they should be doing.

We are to consider the way of the ant and be wise. The ant plans ahead. They know what they will be eating. It's easier to be a sluggard and allow myself to be tempted, lured (or just lazy)and eat what is easy.

So today, consider the way of the ant and be wise.

Donna Sundblad
Author of Pumping Your Muse