Daily Devotional | Go to the Ant!

When I was young, I received an “Uncle Milton’s Ant Farm” as a birthday gift. I can still picture the narrow green frame with plastic viewing panes to observe live ants creating a colony. I spent hours watching the ants construct tunnels, transport food, and work as a team to build their community. While we might think of ants as merely a nuisance, my simple ant farm proved otherwise.

The Bible uses the ant to teach life lessons. Proverbs 6:6 instructs, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” Proverbs 30:25 observes, “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” The author of Proverbs urges the “sluggard” or lazy person to take note of the ant’s diligent ways. The ant’s self-motivation and excellent work ethic is an example to follow. By storing food during the summer, the ant is caring for future needs. We too are to work hard and think ahead.

The ant, a small but mighty insect, urges us to a strong work ethic. Ants do not have supervisors or parents pushing them to work. Whether it is our job, studies, or even our roles in the home or church, we can draw inspiration from the ant who knows its tasks and performs them steadfastly and faithfully. How do we react to tasks that require sustained effort and commitment?

The ant’s example should motivate us to manage our resources wisely so we will be well prepared for future needs. We should cultivate habits that will sustain us during challenging times. This includes not only saving money but also learning new skills and deepening our walk with the Lord through prayer and study of God’s Word. Colossians 3:23 echoes this lesson, saying: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”