Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

The Bible is very clear that God does not reward laziness. One of the dangers of laziness is not being prepared for the future. This Proverb compares an Ant who stores up food during the summer, so when winter comes it wont starve. In fact if you observe nature, you don’t see animals or insects just lying around , they are continually working, gathering food, building nests, ect. This can be applied to our spiritual lives also

One of the most embarrassing things is when you continually see ministries begging for money. Now we know it takes money to keep things operating but there are better ways to support your ministry. First off I have to really question their faith in God, do they not believe God can provide for their ministry? They need to be a beggar on a street corner? What happened to preachers actually working?

The Apostle Paul might be considered the greatest evangelist of all time, yet he still worked as a tent maker not to burden the people (Acts 18:3) Paul also made statements like “Those who don’t work don’t eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) and “Anyone who doesn’t provide for their own family is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8) Yes if you think God is going to bless you by sitting on the couch , think again!

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11

This can be applied to our “Spiritual Lives” also. When we look back at the great theologians like Spurgeon, Luther, Wesley, ect we say “How did these men get such great insight”? Well because these men wrestled and toiled with the scriptures their entire lives. If we really want to understand God and his Word, we need to work at it. You need to devote yourself to reading the scriptures, praying, and witnessing to others

How long will we sleep O Sluggard? Remember in Matthew 25 when Jesus taught the parable of the Talents. When he came back he rewarded people on what they did with their talent. Those who were lazy didn’t get a reward. Those who used the talents God gave them were rewarded. Jesus rewarded hard work and faith! Of course this is all in vein without Jesus being our Lord and Savior Amen!

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. Proverbs 5:21

We have all heard the expression “ A perfect Crime”, but in reality there is no such thing. People plot their evil to try and avoid evidence or witnesses, but God sees it All. Anyone who thinks they can get away with evil is a fool. The One who created the Heavens and the Earth, knows every hair on your head. God knows everything that has happened and what is going to happen, He is Eternal

Notice God also ponders our ways. He wants to know why are we thinking the things we think, why are we saying the things we say. Your ways and thoughts are known to your Creator, there is no secret that God doesn’t know, so why not just be honest with him already? When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to hide from Gods presence but its impossible, God is everywhere he knows all things

Some will go to the next extreme to just deny that God exists at all. This takes them down the road, of not only depravity but also foolishness. To deny the evidence of Gods existence that is clearly seen, makes you a fool, and there is no excuse when you are coming face to face with The Lord. You will give an account of yourself and your actions, without the soul cleansing blood of The Lamb, you are already condemned

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. Proverbs 5:22

You might say “Its not fair that Your condemned” well the cords of your own sins have strangled you. The pleasure of sin that may have lasted a few moments will result in an eternity of suffering. But nobody saw me, right? See no evil, hear no evil? God sees everything and knows your heart and mind.

As Jesus said we need to become Born Again to see the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3) We are depraved in our sinful nature, but Christ can not only set you free but transform you , Amen!

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

What many of us don’t know, is we have a heart condition. Now I’m not talking about a medical heart condition but a spiritual one. The Bible tells us to “Guard our hearts, for everything flows from it” Now when the Bible talks about the heart its not talking about the physical organ in our bodies. The original Hebrew word here for heart is “Leb” meaning your inner core of yourself, your soul, your will.

This is why the gospel message of Christ is about a New Heart. Its not talking about a physical heart but the spiritual one. The world has an old saying to “Follow your heart” but is this a wise saying? The Bible tells us “The heart is deceptive” (Jeremiah 17:9) When we follow our hearts we typically are following our flesh, which can lead to destructive sin. This is why this Proverb tells us to Guard or Keep our hearts, don’t allow yourself to be enticed or deceived with sin

Jesus taught about the heart quit a bit , In Matthew 5 he says “If you look at a someone with lust you have already committed adultery in your heart” (Matthew 5:28) also “If you have hatred in your heart for someone you have already committed murder” (Matthew 5:21-22) Now these sound like extreme teachings by Christ but he is making a point. Our sin begins in our heart, this is why the Proverb teaches us to guard our hearts so we can avoid sin manifesting in it

Jesus also taught that “Our heart defiles us” (Matthew 15:18) when we allow the temptations of sin to creep into our hearts and grow, it defiles your soul. The Apostle James also taught on this subject, “When desire is conceived , it gives birth to sin, and then sin leads to death” (James 1:15) When we allow the temptations of our heart to give birth to sin, it leads to our destruction.

This is why you should guard your heart, for everything flows from it. Guard your heart from drugs and alcohol, guard your heart from pornography, guard your heart from violence because all these things lead to your destruction Amen!

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Proverbs 3:13-14

If God would grant you one wish, what would it be? God did this exact thing to Solomon, and he choose wisdom, and this pleased God very much (1 Kings 3) He could have picked anything money, power, woman but he choose wisdom. How many of us would have chosen wisdom? The funny thing is , the other things mention money, power, and woman, were all acquired by Solomon later in his life and became his demise.

One of the central themes of the book of Proverbs is wisdom. Understanding its importance and value is priceless. When were young , we don’t care about wisdom. We want to “live for the moment” but as we look back, how we wish you have taken the time to acquire wisdom and understanding

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Proverbs 3:15-16

Wisdom is Priceless! You cant put a value on knowledge. When a company needs help, who do they seek after and pay the most? The one who has the most knowledge about the position. Wisdom is collected over time, but you must be willing to seek it and listen!

When your young , you probably did a lot of stupid things, I know I did. And looking back you probably wonder how you are even alive today. Wisdom will lengthen your life. People who are wise don’t make stupid choices , mostly. When you live reckless, your going to eventually wreck

So how do you obtain this wisdom? By God alone through Jesus Christ! Scripture tells us Jesus is The Living Word of God, follow him and you’ll obtain Wisdom Amen!