Proverbs for Diligence

What Solomon Meant by Diligence

Solomon defined diligence as constant and earnest effort to accomplish what you have undertaken. Persistent exertion of body and mind. Pursuing something with meticulous, painstaking attention. It is the opposite of being half-hearted, which Solomon said leads only to poverty.

This is not about working yourself to exhaustion. It is about giving your full attention and best effort to whatever is in front of you right now. The diligent person does not wait for the right moment. They make this moment the right one.

The Diligent Will Be Recognized

Solomon was clear that diligence eventually gets noticed. Not overnight. Not always on your schedule. But the person who gives their best at every level will eventually be seen by someone who has the power to elevate them.

He pointed to Joseph as the model. Joseph gave his best in prison after being falsely accused. He did not work half-heartedly because of his circumstances. He gave everything he had at whatever level he was given. That diligence eventually brought him before Pharaoh. Payday is someday. But it is not always the day you want.

Some people say: when I get promoted, I will work harder. When I get paid more, I will give more effort. Solomon said the diligent are the ones who get promoted, because they already give that effort before the reward comes.

Your Gift Makes Room for You

Solomon also said a person with a gift will find that gift opening doors. Not because they pushed their way in. Because they were the best at what God designed them to do. Successful people collect talent. They want the best at anything.

Many people spend their lives trying to copy someone else. They focus on areas where they are weak. Solomon said the wiser path is discovering what you are actually gifted at and developing that with everything you have. That is your key to promotion and prosperity. Not someone else's key. Yours.

Desire Without Diligence Is Just Daydreaming

The sluggard has desires too. That is the striking thing. Both the sluggard and the diligent person want something better. The difference is not the dream. It is what they do every day with that desire.

Solomon said the diligent person is not made prosperous from excess, but from success. Their diligence creates it and then keeps it. Diligence requires disciplined focus, daily. Not just when inspired.

From the Book: Success Secrets of Solomon

These insights come from John Craddock's book Success Secrets of Solomon. The chapters on diligence, giftedness, and the ant are some of the most practically powerful in the entire book. When you use Ask Solomon, you get access to this wisdom personalized to your exact situation.