23 Jun W1 | Small Teachers (Integrity)
REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES
Proverbs 6:6-9 ESV | “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?”
OBJECTIVE
Get inspired from ants regarding consistency and responsibility. Apply the lesson to our daily work as well as spiritual work.
CONTENT
SELF DISCIPLINE WITHOUT A COMMANDER
- Verse 7 - “Without having any chief, officer, or ruler” Ants work hard even without external pressure. This reflects integrity—doing what is right even when no one is watching. True character shows not in what we do under watchful eyes, but in private and personal discipline.
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Psalms 78:72 NIV | “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”
- David was taking care of just a few sheep (1 Sam 17: 28) but he did so with integrity. Not allowing even a single sheep out of his sight and protection. He fought with lions and bears (1 Sam 17:34) for the few sheep he was taking care of.
- Without anyone checking on him and despite being trusted with so little, he gave beyond what was expected of him.
DILIGENCE AND FORESIGHT
- Verse 8 - “Summer…harvest” Ants prepare in advance, showing both responsibility and wisdom. A person of good character doesn’t procrastinate or act only in crisis; they plan with care and act consistently.
- During summer and during harvest, there are loads of food all around but ants don’t laze around to enjoy the food when it is abundant. They continue to gather food stock and they do it consistently.
- Matthew 25:13 ESV | “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” From the ants, we learn not to be complacent, not only in our vocation works but also in working our salvation (Phil 2:12) which means that we don’t take salvation for granted but we continue to work for our sanctification.
COOPERATION WITH PURPOSE
- Verse 9 - “How long will you lie there?”
- Even if an ant chooses to lie down and not work, others will continue to gather enough food but it doesn’t choose to lie down. Although the verse highlights individual effort, ants live in colonies where every role is vital. This teaches humility, teamwork, and the value of contributing faithfully to a greater whole—traits that define upright character.
- From the ants we learn that in a community we can learn to be humble and to work together with others. The effort of one person might be small but not insignificant.
- Proverbs 27:17 ESV | “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” The role of everyone in the community is important for each other’s spiritual growth.
CONCLUSION
Few things that we can learn from ants:
- They continue to work hard even when no one is watching them.
- They do not laze around even when there is abundance.
- They contribute to the wellbeing of the team.
If we can exude integrity in doing the things we can see, it can also be beneficial for our spiritual growth.
1 Timothy 4:8 ESV | “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
So even if we might feel that no one is watching or listening to our prayers, we should continue to press on. Even when things are well, we should continue to seek God and build our relationship with Him. And when we think our contributions are too small to others, we can remember that together we can be impactful to each other as well as to the surrounding.
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- In what areas of your life do you struggle to stay diligent or do the right thing when no one is watching?
- How can we cultivate quiet faithfulness in our daily walk with God—especially in seasons when our efforts feel unnoticed or unrewarded?
REFERENCES