A Sermon on Six Legs: Lessons in Diligence from the Humble Ant

In a world that often glorifies ease and instant gratification, the timeless wisdom of Scripture calls us back to the fundamentals of godly living. Today, I want to share with you a message inspired by Proverbs 6:6-11, a passage that uses one of God's smallest creations—the ant—to teach profound truths about work, responsibility, and spiritual vigilance. This isn't just a cute analogy; it's a divine command to "go to the ant" and learn from her ways. As fundamentalist Christians who hold the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, we must heed this call without compromise, applying it to every area of our lives.

Let's begin by diving into the Scripture itself, as rendered in the King James Version: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man."

Picture this: a tiny ant, with its six legs tirelessly marching across the ground, carrying loads far heavier than its own body. Without a king, boss, or taskmaster to enforce discipline, the ant instinctively prepares for the future. It gathers food in the abundance of summer, storing it away for the barren winter months. This is providence in action—a natural obedience to the order God embedded in creation. As Genesis 1 tells us, God created all things with purpose and design, and the ant exemplifies this perfectly. No excuses, no delays; just faithful labor.

But why does Solomon, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, address the "sluggard"? In our modern context, sloth isn't just laziness—it's a rebellion against God's mandate for work. From the Garden of Eden, where Adam was tasked to till the ground (Genesis 2:15), to the Apostle Paul's stern words in 2 Thessalonians 3:10—"If any would not work, neither should he eat"—the Bible is clear: idleness is sin. It's the enemy of productivity, both physical and spiritual. Think about it: how many opportunities for evangelism, Bible study, or family discipleship are lost to "just a little more sleep" or endless scrolling on our devices? The ant doesn't have Netflix or social media distractions; it focuses on the task at hand. We, who have the indwelling Holy Spirit as our guide, have even less excuse.

Expanding on this, consider the consequences warned in the passage. Poverty comes "as one that travelleth" (like a sudden traveler) and "as an armed man" (like a robber striking without warning). In the physical realm, laziness leads to financial ruin, dependency, and hardship. But spiritually, it's far worse. Jesus' parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 shows the lazy servant cast into outer darkness for failing to steward what was given. Are we stewarding our time, talents, and resources for the Kingdom? Or are we folding our hands in complacency while the harvest of souls goes unreaped?

As believers in these last days, we must emulate the ant's diligence in our daily walk. Start in the home: husbands providing as 1 Timothy 5:8 commands, wives managing the household with the Proverbs 31 vigor. In the church, serve without grumbling—teaching Sunday school, visiting the sick, or maintaining the building. At work, labor "as unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:23), rejecting the world's shortcuts like dishonesty or minimal effort. And in our personal devotions, don't procrastinate; store up God's Word in your heart like the ant stores food, preparing for trials ahead.

Of course, this isn't about works-based salvation—praise God, our righteousness comes through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). But genuine faith produces fruit, including diligence. If you're feeling the sting of conviction today, repent! Rise from your spiritual slumber, empowered by the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). Let the ant's six-legged example spur you to action: step by step, day by day, building a legacy of faithfulness.

In conclusion, brothers and sisters, go to the ant! Observe her ways, apply her lessons, and live wisely. May this "sermon on six legs" remind us that even the smallest creature can teach us to honor God through hard work. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, forgive our laziness and ignite in us a passion for diligent service. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DMMC 

11-4-25