Diligence is defined as careful and persistent work or effort. The Bible has a lot to say about being diligent and hardworking in all aspects of life. Here is an overview of some of the key themes and verses in the Bible that discuss diligence:
Being Diligent in Our Work
The Bible encourages diligence and hard work in our jobs and vocations. We are called to work heartily and diligently, serving God through our work:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
The book of Proverbs especially emphasizes diligence and warns against laziness and slothfulness:
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.” (Proverbs 12:24)
Being diligent and working hard is presented as wise living, while laziness leads to poverty and want:
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” (Proverbs 13:4)
Overall, the Bible promotes a strong work ethic and diligence in our vocations as part of living wisely and faithfully before God. We should work hard not simply to get ahead, but ultimately as service to God.
Being Diligent in Seeking God
The Bible also talks about being diligent and persistent in pursuing God. Just as we are to work diligently at our jobs, we are also called to diligently seek the Lord through prayer, Bible reading, fellowship with other believers, and obedience to God’s commands:
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Jesus emphasizes persistence in prayer: “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1) We are to be diligent in prayer and communion with God.
The psalmist declares his diligence in seeking God: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)
Just as diligence is necessary in our work, it is even more crucial that we are diligent and persistent in pursuing a relationship with God. We cannot be lazy or apathetic about seeking the Lord.
Being Diligent in Obeying God’s Word
Diligence applies to obeying God’s commands and walking in holiness:
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.” (2 Timothy 3:14)
We are to diligently hold fast to biblical teaching and instruction. We should also diligently put off sinful habits and develop godly habits through the power of the Spirit:
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge…” (2 Peter 1:5)
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)
Living a godly life does not just happen automatically. We must be diligent and put effort into resisting temptation, putting sin to death, and growing in spiritual maturity.
Being Diligent in Ministry to Others
Diligence applies to how we serve and minister to others as well. Pastors and teachers must be diligent in accurately handling God’s word:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
When serving and caring for others in the church, we are to be diligent:
“Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
Whatever ministry we are involved in, whether preaching, teaching, leading, giving, serving, or helping, we should serve diligently as unto the Lord. This brings glory to God.
Redeeming the Time
Diligence involves making the most of our time and opportunities in life. We are called to be diligent because our time on earth is limited:
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Since our days are numbered, we must diligently make the most of each day and opportunity we are given. Procrastination and laziness are the opposite of this diligent attitude that seeks to maximize time and impact for God’s kingdom.
The Diligent Are Commended
Throughout Scripture, those who are diligent are praised, while the lazy are scorned. Here are some verses that commend diligence:
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” (Proverbs 12:11)
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.” (Proverbs 12:24)
“For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you… For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:7, 10)
“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
In the parable of the talents, Jesus praises the diligent servants who multiplied their master’s money, while the lazy servant who buried his talent was rebuked (Matthew 25:14-30).
Our Diligence Springs from the Gospel
As believers in Jesus, our motivation for diligence springs from the gospel. Jesus diligently pursued us in love through his life, death and resurrection. As recipients of God’s grace and empowered by the Spirit, we now pursue diligence out of love, faith and gratitude:
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one working in you, enabling you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
Knowing that God is at work within us, we can diligently labor as an act of worship and thanks to Him. Our eternal hope in Christ also compels us to make the most of our time now for God’s glory.
Bible Examples of Diligence
There are many examples of diligence in the Bible that inspire us:
Noah – He diligently built the ark over many decades to protect his family, trusting in God’s warnings about the coming flood (Genesis 6-9).
Jacob – He diligently worked for many years to earn Rachel as his wife because of his love for her (Genesis 29).
Nehemiah – He diligently led the project to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls in the face of much opposition (Nehemiah 1-7).
Psalmists – The writers of Psalms diligently composed songs of worship and prayer to God (Psalm 119 is a great example).
Early apostles – They diligently spread the gospel despite persecution and hardship (Acts 5:42, 2 Corinthians 6:5).
Paul – He diligently traveled, preached, taught, and discipled many new believers across the Roman world (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Jesus – He diligently pursued his mission of preaching the gospel, healing many people, and preparing for the cross (Luke 13:32).
God Himself Is Diligent
Not only does God command human beings to be diligent, but God himself is described as diligent:
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8 NKJV)
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Though God is all-powerful, He also diligently works out His plans and purposes in human history. He initiated salvation through Christ, and he diligently works to complete our salvation and growth in godliness.
The fact that God himself is diligent should motivate us to be diligent as well. As His children who are made in His image, we can reflect God’s character by working diligently for His glory.
Conclusion
Diligence is a major theme in Scripture. We are called to diligently work hard at our vocation, diligently pursue godliness, diligently minister to others, and diligently redeem the time. God himself is presented as diligent, which is a model for us.
Ultimately, as believers we can find our motivation for diligence in the gospel – in response to Christ’s work on our behalf. By God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can labor diligently for the glory of God and the good of others. Diligence should mark the lives of all who seek to follow Christ.
