Topical Bible: Diligence: God Rewards

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Diligence is a consistent and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken, and it is highly esteemed in the Bible. The Scriptures frequently highlight the virtue of diligence, emphasizing that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him and apply themselves to their tasks with dedication and perseverance.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of diligence is woven throughout the Bible, with numerous passages underscoring its importance. Proverbs 10:4 states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This verse illustrates the principle that diligence leads to prosperity, while laziness results in lack. Similarly, Proverbs 12:24 declares, "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." Here, diligence is associated with leadership and authority, suggesting that those who work diligently will be elevated to positions of influence.

In the New Testament, diligence is also emphasized as a key characteristic of a faithful believer. Hebrews 11:6 affirms, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This verse highlights the connection between faith, diligence, and divine reward, indicating that God honors those who diligently pursue Him.

Diligence in Spiritual Matters

Diligence is not only applicable to physical labor but also to spiritual pursuits. 2 Peter 1:5-7 encourages believers to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." This passage calls for a diligent effort in cultivating Christian virtues, suggesting that spiritual growth requires intentional and persistent effort.

Moreover, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, exhorts believers to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11). This fervency is a form of spiritual diligence, urging Christians to be zealous and committed in their service to God.

God's Reward for Diligence

The Bible assures believers that God rewards diligence. Proverbs 13:4 states, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied." This satisfaction is not merely material but encompasses spiritual fulfillment and contentment. The diligent person experiences the joy and peace that come from fulfilling God's purposes.

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrates the principle of reward for diligence. The servants who diligently invested their master's resources were commended and rewarded, while the one who acted lazily faced reprimand. This parable underscores the truth that God values and rewards faithful stewardship and diligent service.

Practical Implications

For believers, the call to diligence is a call to action in every area of life. Whether in work, ministry, or personal spiritual growth, diligence is a reflection of one's commitment to God and His purposes. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage encourages believers to approach all tasks with a heart of diligence, recognizing that their ultimate reward comes from the Lord.

In summary, the Bible presents diligence as a virtue that God honors and rewards. Through diligent effort, believers not only achieve personal and spiritual growth but also experience the blessings and satisfaction that come from fulfilling God's will.

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Deuteronomy 11:14
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your corn, and your wine, and your oil.
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Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
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Library

The Rewards of the Trading Servants
... the diligence has been different, the rewards are different ... is conditioned by their
faithfulness and diligence here ... Gospel that says 'The gift of God is eternal ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rewards of the trading.htm

Concerning God's Purpose
... God as a just Judge rewards us, not because we have deserved it, but because He
has ... How shall we know that God has a purpose to save us? ... Give diligence to make ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/concerning gods purpose.htm

The Impossibility of Failure.
... This love God rewards. ... This is most probably the meaning, but with the addition that
he speaks of "earnestness" generally, not merely of active diligence. ...
/.../chapter vi the impossibility of.htm

That Evil Comes of Sloth, and virtue from Diligence, and that ...
... evil comes of sloth, and virtue from diligence, and that ... 3. On this account God places
together servants and ... the same promises, the same rewards were assigned ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii that evil comes.htm

The First Last, and the Last First
... God gives us good works, and then rewards us for the ... in the work of the Lord." God
will reward you; but your steadfastness, your diligence, your patience ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the first last and the.htm

Epistle Lxxvi. Cyprian to Nemesianus and Other Martyrs in the ...
... Jesus Christ our Lord, and of God our preserver ... as many payments in heavenly rewards,
as days ... charity, concord; modesty in humility, diligence in administration ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxvi cyprian to nemesianus.htm

How Love Makes Use of Natural, Servile and Mercenary Fear.
... for him, but only to obtain the rewards he promises ... or the loss of heaven, but only
because God being our ... he would not serve him with less diligence, but rather ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xviii how love makes.htm

God Hath Made Manifest
... And the rewards in their commonwealth [56] are not leaves ... point of entering into
a city (if God permit) of ... shall now enter in, and much diligence is required ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily i god hath made.htm

A Further Thanksgiving to God for the Change in the Late ...
... But God hath provided many other instructors for us besides ... oaths, took a pattern
from their diligence, and got ... and that you could receive the rewards of those ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xiii a further thanksgiving.htm

Letter i. --Temptation to Despair.
... it when God, satisfied with the diligence with which it ... by our self-love that if
God judged us ... we should deserve chastisements for them rather than rewards. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter i temptation to despair.htm