A wise man once said that the world's wealthiest and most valuable place is not a billionaire mansion. It is not even Wall Street, the largest banks, oil fields, and large cities. Instead, the most abundant riches in the world are found in the graveyard.
In the grave are books that were never written, inventions that were never created, and ideas that were never pursued. Furthermore, when we see a graveyard, it should be our desire to make sure that our entire life’s cup is filled while we are still alive.
It takes diligence and a positive, can-do attitude to accomplish great things in this life. So much adversity will come at us from within and without. Still, we need great tenacity to overcome the pressures of life to become all that God has purposed for us.
Lastly, we don't have to do it alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 says the Lord “will never fail nor forsake us.” Instead, he will bless our efforts.
What is Diligence?
According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, diligence is “steady, earnest, and energetic effort: devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking.” Someone diligent is industrious, tireless, and gives care and attention to the task they are undertaking.
Growing up, my mom required this type of effort out of us. She looked to instill a good work ethic and attention to detail in us. Mom had several mantras and a motto that said, “don’t do things halfway.”
We were admonished to put our all into studying our schoolwork and being thorough with household chores. Not only did she teach it like a drill sergeant in basic military training, but she also modeled it before us.
Mom had several great qualities. She was thoughtful, loving, giving, and nurturing. Moreover, she worked tirelessly at work, then came home to cook, clean, do laundry, sew clothing for my older sisters, create floral arrangements, and much more. Furthermore, mom even displayed diligence in the way she dressed.
She was like the typical mom of the 80s (as many of you may see on older TV shows). She dressed in flats and low heels around the house. She put on her high heels when it was time to leave the house.
She was so meticulous in everything she did and would not settle for us giving things a half-hearted effort. I watch her put on make-up and fix her hair to go out to the mailbox.
Mom was also diligent in church and in her life as a Christian. She was devoted to God, and that desire within her drove her to serve and love others to the point it hurt. One time a lady stole from my mom. Not to get too detailed, this was done in a way that broke my mother's heart.
Later mom heard that the lady's mother had passed away. So, mom cooked dinner, fit for a Thanksgiving feast, wrote a heartfelt sympathy card, and sent me to the lady's house with the food and card.
I watched as, weeks later, the lady came over to the house and begged my mother's forgiveness. Mom's love was too much for the lady to bear. I know cooking that meal and showing kindness, even when my mother's heart was broken, took painstaking effort.
She knew and tried to instill in us as her children that great blessings, promotions, and opportunities come from being dedicated to excellence in life.
There is some sense of values that God has placed inside us that it will take great effort to live by and stay devoted to. The world around us will try to tell us to get revenge, cheat, steal, or take the easy way. However, it takes diligence to be different.
It also takes the grace of God to become all He has created us to be in a world that is trying to get each of us to conform and be carbon copies of each other. There are great blessings promised in bible verses about diligence. Because God can put extra on our ordinary to give us a great outcome, enrich our experiences, and cause us to bring Him glory as we stand out from the rest.
33 Bible Verses About Diligence & Being Diligent
1. 1 Kings 11:28
“The man Jeroboam was a brave warrior, and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, he put him in charge of all the forced labor of the house of Joseph.”
2. Proverbs 21:5
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, but everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.”
3. Galatians 6:9
“Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap if we do not give in.”
4. James 1:12
“Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
5. Proverbs 12:14
“A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him [as a harvest].”
6. Proverbs 14:23
“In all labor, there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
7. Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
8. Proverbs 10:4
“Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes him rich.”
9. Proverbs 6:6-8
“Go to the ant, O lazy one; observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, she prepares her food in the summer and brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.”
10. Philippians 3:14
“I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
11. Proverbs 31:17
“She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong.”
12. Isaiah 40:29-31
“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might, He increases power. Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, but those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power. They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired.”
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who has no might, He increases power. Even youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, but those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power. They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired.”
13. Jeremiah 31:16
“Thus says the Lord, restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” says the Lord….”
14. 2nd Corinthians 8:11
“So now finish this so that your eagerness in desiring it may be equaled by your completion of it, according to your ability.”
15. 2nd Peter 1:5-7
“For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit].”
16. 2nd Corinthians 8:7
“But just as you excel in everything, [and lead the way] in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in genuine concern, and in your love for us, see that you excel in this gracious work [of giving] also.”
17. 1st Timothy 5:17
“The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ].”
18. Proverbs 12:24
“The hand of the diligent will rule, but the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor.”
19. 1st Peter 5:2
“Shepherd and guide and protect the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not [motivated] for shameful gain, but with wholehearted enthusiasm.”
20. Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs] but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”
21. Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.”
22. Proverbs 13:4
“The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], but the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.”
23. 1st Corinthians 15:57-58
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].”
24. 2nd Peter 1:10
“Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin].”
25. Proverbs 12:27
“The lazy man does not catch and roast his prey, but the precious possession of a [wise] man is diligence [because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them].”
26. 2nd Peter 3:14
“So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him].”
27. Proverbs 4:23-27
“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.”
28. Exodus 15:26
“If you will diligently listen and pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep [foremost in your thoughts and actively obey] all His precepts and statutes, then I will not put on you any of the diseases which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
29. John 9:4
“We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.”
30. 2nd Timothy 4:2
“Preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.”
31. 2nd Corinthians 8:22
“We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found to be diligent in many things, but who is now even more diligent [than ever] because of his great confidence in you.”
32. Deuteronomy 28:1
“Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”
33. James 1:2-4
“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
Final Thoughts on 33 Bible Verses About Diligence & Being Diligent
I remember wrestling with my uncle Ralph as a child. He was a mountain of a man, very muscular and solid as a rock. Ralph would always get me in a challenging and painful wrestling hold that made me surrender. In fact, he would impose his will on me, no matter what sport we played.
However, as soon as he let me go from a wrestling hold or beat me in a ruthless basketball game, I was looking for a way to overtake this “mountain” of a man again. This usually resulted in me having little to no success.
But as I grew older and stronger, I was able to dish it out as well as I got it, and finally, one day, I had enough strength to overcome that mountain. It was painful and seemed impossible at one time, and though it took years, I overcame because I never gave up.
No matter what you are going through today, keep persevering and doing the right things. The Bible has great wisdom to help us be diligent and successful in every area of life. From raising children to finding our true identity in Christ.
So, as you read scripture, have faith, continue praying, working hard, and doing good, and great opportunities will undoubtedly follow. Being diligent always pays off in the end.
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