Consider the Ant

Go to the ant, lazy man; consider her ways and be wise; who, having no guide, overseer or ruler, provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O lazy man? When will you arise out of your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down; so shall your poverty come as one walking, and your need like an armed man.

Proverbs 6:6-11 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Proverbs 6:6-11 teaches us about the financial poverty resulting from laziness, sluggardness, or a lack of effort. However, we can also apply these same principles to our spiritual lives. If we are lazy in our prayer life or reading and studying 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄’s Word, what do you think will happen? Yes, we will become spiritually poor and weak believers. In this discussion, we will examine both the financial and spiritual aspects of this topic as we consider the ant.

Consider the Ant

Many of us tend to overlook ants and perceive them as insignificant, harmless pests that are not worth our attention or time. Others view them as simple insects that must be stepped on and eliminated, particularly if they invade our homes, infiltrate our food, or crawl on our bodies. Nevertheless, before you continue to ignore Ants or take drastic steps to exterminate them, please pause and acknowledge the 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 provided wisdom of King Shlomo (Solomon) to consider the ants. 

Though ants are among the smallest creatures on earth, we can learn valuable lessons about planning, perseverance,  hard work, and more by observing their extraordinary abilities, characteristics, and habits. These tiny creatures are among the hardest-working insects on the planet. So take some time to explore their incredible world and discover what traits you can learn and incorporate into your everyday life.

Ant Traits, Habits, and Characteristics

Planners

Ants are fascinating creatures that possess an incredible ability to plan and prepare for the future. This ability is demonstrated by the black ant, which tirelessly collects and stores food during the spring, summer, and fall seasons to ensure its survival during the winter. To further ensure their survival, black ants build specialized climate-controlled chambers in their nests, which must be maintained for optimal storage conditions. The ants carefully control the humidity and temperature within these chambers to prevent moisture and mold from damaging their food supply. If they fail to plan these storage chambers correctly, the entire ant colony is at risk of dying.

Other types of ants also demonstrate remarkable planning and preparation skills. For instance, Honey Pot ants have specialized workers who store food in their social stomachs and hang from the ceiling in chambers. These hanging ants allow other worker ants to feed during the winter when food is scarce. Leafcutter ants are another example of ants that plan for the future. They are farmers, growing fungi that serve as their primary food source. Leafcutter ants constantly maintain their fungal gardens, carefully removing harmful bacteria and fungi that could damage their crops. 

We should store money during our working years to prepare for our winters (emergencies and retirement). Just like the ants know winter is coming, so do we. Planning and saving are a part of our makeup or instinct as humans; we all have that ability, but some are lazy or professional procrastinators. Think of the simple and natural ways we plan. We don’t go to the gas station every time we drive, go to the grocery store for every meal, and we certainly don’t pack one pamper for a baby when going out for the day. The ants’ planning should inspire us to plan our finances for a secure future. 

Learning about the ant’s planning and preparation habits should not only motivate you financially but also spiritually. As BBBs (Bible Believing Believers), we should be storing (hiding) the Word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). By having the Word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 in our hearts we will have our own internal storage chamber to draw from when we need it. We will make better choices in life because His ways, precepts, and commands will be in us. However, if we are lazy and sluggard, we will not read, study, or meditate on the Word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 daily, nor will we regularly have meaningful prayer time; therefore, we will be empty.

Driven by Purpose

𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 has made all for His purpose, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Proverbs 16:4 (HRB)

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In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.

Depending on their job, ants have clear short and long-term objectives or goals that shape everything they do. For example, one ant’s sole job is finding food for the colony. Another might be keeping the nest clean, caring for the queen, or guarding and protecting the nest. Whatever their purpose, ants input all their time and energy into it, driving their actions.

𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 made everything for His purpose, meaning that we all have a purpose in Him and for Him just like the ants have a purpose for their colony (Proverbs 16:4). 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 shaped us and has authority over us (Romans 9:21, Jeremiah 18:6, Isaiah 29:16). If you are unsure of your purpose in life, talk to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 our manufacturer the potter Himself and listen to Him. Additionally, read and study His Word continuously, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 will reveal His reasons for your existence. Don’t go searching for some big grand purpose to be famous; when you truly walk in your 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 given purpose, the world will hate you, not celebrate you (John 15:18-25, Luke 6:22). Monetarily speaking we have a purpose as well which is to provide short and long term financial stability for ourselves and those in our care.

Hard Worker

• During their working seasons, ants work night and day, only sleeping 4 hours daily. (Colossians 3:23)
• Ants are capable of lifting 10-50 times their body weight, which would be equivalent to a 130-pound human lifting 1350-6,500lbs. (1 Peter 3:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13) 
• After being destroyed by rain or other factors, fire ants immediately began rebuilding their homes, completing the work within 48 hours.

These resilience traits show the ants’ grit, determination, and hard work, which are to be admired, studied, and learned. Things may get hard in service to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, but we must push through pain, persecution, setbacks, trials, isolation, and heartache. (Colossians 3:23-24, Philippians 2:14-15, Romans 12:11, Proverbs 16:3, Philippians 4:13). Yahshua told us in Matthew 7:13-14 that the way to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 was through a narrow and strait gate and not the wide and broad gate. This means that the narrow gate will take courage, commitment, dedication, and hard work to walk.

Furthermore, Yahshua also asked if He must bear the torture stake alone, indicating that following His Father 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 and Himself is not easy and requires you to die to self and may even cause physical death. Kefa (Peter) found this out when he denied Yahshua three times to avoid joining Yahshua on the torture stake (Luke 22:54-62). Like the ant, we must show grit and push forward in our 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 given purpose. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). 

Regarding our secular jobs, we must be hard workers in whatever careers we choose and maximize our earning potential. You can’t just up and quit your job or close your business because things get tough and weighty.

Self Motivated and Proactive

Ants don’t have supervisors, managers, coaches, pastors, or motivational speakers to get them to work. They are self-motivated, which is powered by their purpose, which in turn makes them accomplish their goals daily. They know their roles and responsibilities and carry them out diligently without being forced to work. This self-motivation is a powerful trait we can and should emulate.

• Do you know your role?
• Do you continuously need someone to check on you to see if you are working?
• Do you still need guidance and supervision to handle daily tasks?
• Does someone have to remind you to read and study your Bible or pray? 

Ants have many more traits, such as organization, teamwork, commitment, communication skills, etc., but I won’t review them all. Besides, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 is telling YOU to study the ant, so don’t be lazy or procrastinate. Go and study/research the traits of the ant and start implementing them.

Financial and Spiritual Things to Do

Financial

• Write a budget or spending plan.
• Establish an emergency account funded for 6-12 months
• Check to see if your company offers 401k and a match and start funding it
• Look into beginning a Roth IRA and start funding it
• If you have kids, start a 529 account and fund it
• Get term life insurance

Spiritual

• Repent and turn from your wicked way and accept Yahshua as the Passover lamb. (Matthew 4:17)
• Set a time to read, study, and meditate on the Word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 daily (Joshua 1:8)
• Pick a spot in your home and designate it for prayer and pray daily (Matthew 6:6)
• Start memorizing a few scriptures and store them in your heart (Psalm 119:11)
• Start observing the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17 Deuteronomy 5:7-21)

Conclusion

In order to achieve success, it is essential to possess certain qualities and skills such as the ones we covered today. The ants are known for their diligence and hardworking nature; taking a cue from them can be highly beneficial. Therefore, I urge you to delve deeper into the traits of the ant, conduct thorough research, and make an effort to implement these qualities in your own life. Remember, putting in the effort now will pay off in the future. So, don’t be complacent and start working towards your purpose and goals today.

By: David Edwards – HalleluYAH – Praise YAH – Praise 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄