Conclusion
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. Solomon (Pro. 21:5).
Life requires effort. There are certain chores that we must do every day in order to maintain life. In our natural lives we do these chores without thought. We feed ourselves, we rest when our body demands it, we listen to the life within us and obey its demands. There are also maintenance chores that require thought. They are chores that are necessary to maintain a healthy life. We maintain a level of cleanliness, we exercise, we maintain our emotional health, and we take preventative measures to guard against illness. These categories do not generate life, but they maintain and nurture life.
Solomon wrote multiple times in the book of Proverbs about the diligent man. Diligence is the counter to neglect. Solomon wrote: The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want (Pro. 21:5); The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute (Pro. 12:24); Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men (Pro. 22:29); Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? (Pro. 27:23-24). Diligence produces abundance, it cultivates responsibility, it promotes self-awareness, and it results in an honorable testimony. Diligence is an ongoing behavior pattern. Where neglect is the absence of effort, diligence is constant effort. The diligent man is in constant pursuit of his goal.
The health and well-being of our soul follows the same pattern. There are ‘essential’s’ for life and there are chores to nurture life. We discussed this before as ‘sufficient’ and ‘necessary’ causes. Even though necessary causes do not generate life, they are necessary to maintain life.
Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians, wrote: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:9-10). Diligence can produce weariness, but we cannot allow weariness to result in neglect. If we diligently pursue well-doing, then we will reap the reward of the diligent.
Paul wrote to the Philippians: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you (Phil. 3:12-15). Paul is encouraging us to not be overcome by discouragement or weariness. We must leave those things behind and press on towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We persist in the daily effort even when we feel overcome with weariness.
Neglect is an enemy that sneaks its way into our heart. Neglect discourages our purpose, undermines our ambition, and culminates in our spiritual death. We must be ever vigilant against the spirit of neglect.
Be Not Neglectful.