The ManicaPost
Pastor Joseph Dhlakama
We can never over emphasise the subject of diligence because it is very important. I guess many of the training systems we have, be it vocational or professional they are structured in ways to cultivate the virtue of diligence in the scholars.
This is because academic intelligence alone not being coupled with diligence will not take one higher, even talent alone cannot do it. The virtue of diligence should be present in anyone who so wishes to achieve something meaningful and notable.
Let us take for our scripture reading Proverbs 10:4 Amplified Bible “Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand, But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.” Remember the man who is giving us this wisdom, King Solomon is a rich man himself.
The Bible actually states that “King Solomon was richer and wiser than all the kings of the earth—he surpassed them all.
Kings came from all over the world to be with Solomon and get in on the wisdom God had given him.
Everyone who came brought gifts—artefacts of gold and silver, fashionable robes and gowns, the latest in weapons, exotic spices, horses, and mules—parades of visitors, year after year” Solomon is clear in explaining that wealth is not just a matter of luck or chance but by diligence.
Many of those who by chance go rich or wealthy without diligence the wealth is usually short lived. Let us look briefly into the wealth of King Solomon maybe it can help us listen to him better.
“Solomon received twenty-five tons of gold annually. This was above and beyond the taxes and profit on trade with merchants and traders. All kings of Arabia and various and assorted governors also brought silver and gold to Solomon.
King Solomon crafted two hundred body-length shields of hammered gold—about fifteen pounds of gold to each shield—and about three hundred small shields about half that size. He stored the shields in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.
The king made a massive throne of ivory with a veneer of gold. The throne had six steps leading up to it with an attached footstool of gold. The armrests on each side were flanked by lions. Lions, twelve of them, were placed at either end of the six steps.
There was no throne like it in any other kingdom.” You can read the full details from 2 Chronicles 9:13-31.
In the days of Solomon silver was so common to an extent that it was not counted, only gold was really counted. This is how rich the man was.
History tell us of the several mines and vineyards he had. He was a diligent man and therefore His wisdom is worth taking and using. “The hand of the diligent makes rich” I would like to think that we all have examples close to us in our communities of people whom we saw their lives improve day after day because of their diligence.
In my home neighbourhood of Dangamvura I can list heaps of people whom I know who have defied odds and leaped the lines of being ordinary by the force of diligence. May diligence be one of your characteristic this year.
