Let your diligence reflect your faith—what you do for the Lord shapes your life.
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
-Proverbs 10:4 (KJV)
The word slack means:
• Lacking in activity, effort, or diligence.
Example: “His work performance has been slack lately.”
• To reduce speed, effort, or intensity.
Example: “Don’t slack off at work.”
As Scripture says, the one who deals with a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
Diligent means showing careful and persistent effort in doing something. When you are diligent, you will be made rich—not just financially, but in every area of life.
As children of God, we understand that being poor or rich is not only about money. Most importantly, we know that when we invest our time in God, everything else begins to align. A relationship with Him brings stability, favor, and peace—even with those who oppose us.
“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
-Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)
Whatever we do, let us do it with excellence—as if we are doing it for the Lord.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
— Colossians 3:23–24 (KJV)
Whether it’s with our family, friends, work, school, hobbies, or business—if we make an effort and do all things as unto the Lord, we will be made rich in those areas. But if we approach them with a slack hand, we’ll experience lack and frustration.
Success in anything requires consistency and discipline. Imagine if Jesus approached His mission with a slack hand—we would all be lost. But He didn’t. He pursued His purpose with unwavering commitment. He defines diligence.
Jesus was tested and tried just as we are, yet He overcame and conquered. When we diligently pursue the Lord, He is faithful to reward that pursuit, and everything else will fall into place.
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
-Proverbs 8:17 (KJV)
Reflective Questions:
1. Am I giving my best effort in the areas God has entrusted to me?
2. Do I approach my daily tasks with diligence or a slack hand?
3. What does it look like in my life to pursue the Lord diligently?
4. Are there areas where I’ve been holding back effort, thinking it doesn’t matter?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being a rewarder of those who diligently seek You. Help me to give my full effort in every area of life, not for people, but as unto You. Teach me to be consistent, focused, and faithful—just as Jesus was. I want to walk in diligence and purpose, trusting that everything else will fall into place as I pursue You first. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for reading. God bless you!
All Scripture in Steps Towards Eternity Daily Devotional is from the King James Bible. (KJV)
Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain in The United States. Pathway365 is based in the United States and is governed by its laws. Outside of the United States, you’ll need to check the copyright laws in your country before use.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press