Why We Need To Be Diligent

By James Abola

Personal Finance Management From A Christian Perspective

This week’s reflection is on diligence as an employee or an entrepreneur. The word diligent means steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity.

Diligence is what a diligent person does. Therefore a diligent person is focused, persistent, action oriented, careful, productive and attentive. A diligent employee or entrepreneur is bound to be extremely successful.

Let us take a little bible survey to examine six blessings that accrue to the diligent person.

Diligence leads to dominion while laziness results in being dominated. Proverbs 12:24 “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.”

Not many people are noble by birth, nor well connected; but they can still get ahead and become leaders and managers by being diligent. Joseph and Esther offer biblical examples of how otherwise ordinary people became rulers because they were diligent. Instead of hating or disliking the boss, be diligent and perhaps you will end up becoming boss one day.

Diligence makes the difference between being rich or poor. Proverbs 10:4 “He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

A person who is diligent in work or business is able to increase his/her income through higher productivity and exceeding the expectations of the employer or customer.

Diligence is necessary for seizing opportunities. Proverbs 12:27 “The slothful man does not catch his game or roast it once he kills it, but the diligent man gets precious possessions.”

Many people either miss opportunities or don’t see them at all but being diligence will help you to both recognize and seize opportunities.

Diligence leads to profit and satisfaction. Proverbs 13:4 “The appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied.”

Even when all doors are shut in her face, the diligent person will persist until they find a way.

Diligence leads to growth and promotion. Proverbs 22:29 “Do you see a man diligent and skilful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”

The diligent employee makes himself indispensable, by producing quality work. Similarly a diligent business owner will exceed the expectations of his clients making them repeat customers and unpaid marketing agents for his business. When you purpose to become excellent in something be it work or business, the quality of your work and your good reputation will open better doors for you.

Diligent planning avoids daydreams and nightmares. Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”

Many people have lost money and even their reputation because of get rich quick schemes. The key to having more than enough or getting a financial breakthrough is by laying diligent plans. Diligent planning is not only well thought out but also gets implemented and is committed to God according to Proverbs 16:3. There is a Japanese saying that captures it well: “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.”