November 2, 2023: For Abundance Plan

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty." (Proverbs 21:5, ESV)

The word diligent means to be sharp, to cut. When speaking of a person, it refers to their ability to understand and put into action. Diligent people are problem solvers. They are people who work smarter, not necessarily harder. They can 'cut' to the heart of a matter. The diligent seem to always be finding ways to abundance. They are not jumping onto 'get rich quick' tricks. They think through what they will do, like a farmer preparing to plant his crop. They do not just toss seeds on the ground. They will do their best to help the seed do its best. Look at these other amazing things that happen when a person practices diligence:

• The hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 10:4
  
• The hand of the diligent will rule. Proverbs 12:24
• The diligent man will get precious wealth. Proverbs 12:27
• The soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Proverbs 13:4
  

One translation of Proverbs 21:5 says, "Shortcuts lead to poverty." Diligence may take longer, but the wait will be worth the outcome. The prosperity principle in our passage is that diligence pays off! "Do your homework!' as one investor said. It is part of your 'due diligence.' Shortcuts do not pay off in the long run. Be diligent! For diligence leads to abundance, rule, precious wealth, and a prosperous soul.