Danny Fourie

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.  Proverbs 6:6-8

We live in a time when relaxation and entertainment form a big part of our lives. Healthy relaxation at the right time is good. Relaxation can, however, not happen at the expense of our work. Work is, unfortunately, low on the priority list of many people. It was the same at the time of Solomon. Therefore what Solomon has to say is also relevant to us: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"

It is a fact that many people work very hard. There are those who work too hard. They drive their bodies to the utmost or to put it in other words, they commit an exploitative practice. This is unwise. Other people prefer not to work. It is clear that this does not refer to sick people, invalids and those involuntarily unemployed. They cannot work. In such cases families suffer a hidden sadness.

These are not the people Solomon refers to. Solomon focuses on those people who do not want to work. They think that people who work are foolish and that they are the wise ones. People who live like this, sin. They disobey the command of God.

Many people say they have no interest in the future. They do not accept responsibility for the next generation. In this way the future is wrecked instead of being built.

Especially young people should look at the ants. The years of our youth is the best time to look at the ants and learn to build our future. Put your talents to the best use, say the ants. Then you will enjoy the fruit of your hard work. Many elderly lament: I allowed the time to pass. Now it is too late to build the future.

When we see the ants provide for their future, the Lord calls us, through their example, to do the same for our spiritual future. We can also be lazy in a spiritual sense. We find no significance in serving the Lord. Often we do the minimum or nothing at all. Or we do it dragging our feet and not of our own free will. Then we should remember the ants.

Prayer: Lord, help us to build on our future this very day, especially our spiritual future. Before we feel that the time has caught up with us. Help us to build on a future for our children. Amen.