Diligence

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Conscientious hard work and perseverance, particularly with regard to a relationship with God. In Scripture diligence is highly commended. It may, however, be misguided.

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Diligence and its results are commended

Proverbs 21:5 NKJV
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
See also 1 Ki 11:28; 2 Ch 24:13; Ezr 5:8; Ezr 6:12; Ezr 7:23; Pr 12:14; Pr 14:23; Pr 31:17 characteristic of the wife of noble character; Ec 3:13; Je 31:16; 2 Co 8:11 regarding the collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem; 1 Ti 5:17; 1 Pe 5:2

Diligence contrasted with laziness

Proverbs 10:4 NKJV
He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Proverbs 12:24 NKJV
The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 12:27 NKJV
The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.
Proverbs 13:4 NKJV
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 NKJV
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

Diligence is important in the outworking of one’s relationship with God

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Timothy 4:15–16 NKJV
Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Examples of diligence

See also

2 Ch 15:15; 2 Ch 29:34 the Levites; Is 62:6–7; Zec 6:15; Lk 8:15; Ac 17:11 the Bereans

The apostle Paul:

Ro 1:15; 1 Co 4:12; 1 Co 9:24–26; 2 Co 6:5; 2 Co 11:27; 1 Th 2:9; 2 Th 3:8; 2 Ti 4:7
Ro 12:8; Ro 16:12; 1 Co 12:31; 1 Co 14:1; 2 Co 8:5 the Macedonian churches; Php 2:12–13; 1 Th 5:12; Heb 6:11–12; 2 Pe 1:10; Re 2:2–3; Re 2:19

Diligence was a characteristic of Jesus Christ’s mission

Luke 9:51 NKJV
Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Misguided diligence

John 5:39–40 NKJV
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
Psalm 127:2 NKJV
It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.
Proverbs 28:20 NKJV
A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
Ecclesiastes 2:11 NKJV
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:19 NKJV
And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 NKJV
There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, “For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?” This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.
1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
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