January 18, 2009

Gather While You Can

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, [And] gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:6-11 NKJV)

There is a great lesson to be learned from the ant. She does not need anyone to tell her the importance of gathering in the harvest. She has no one telling her to get busy or else you might starve this winter.

We are to consider her ways and be wise. Her way is diligence in season. I have heard life compared to the seasons. Spring, summer, fall, and then winter comes in due time. Spring comes and one can hardly think about winter. Everything is fresh and glorious, alive with excitement. We enjoy summer for its warmth and long days, and we forget about winter. Then comes fall with its changes and cooler weather, and we are reminded that winter will come soon. Then winter sets in and we endure the darkness and cold in hope of spring.

The seasons remind us that winter will come someday. Winter is the last stage of our life when things are difficult. As our bodies fail, and we look at the river we must all cross, we will need faith and courage.

While the proverb has great importance for all seasons, it is particularly important as it relates to our spiritual needs. Gather those resources now while you have strength. Gather them now because in the trial of winter the fields are empty. If you are lacking when you enter winter, where will you go for spiritual food?

Your poverty will come like a prowler. It will steal your happiness. It will rob you of hope. It will make your crossing fearful. We should not need anyone to tell us to gather while we can. It ought to be built-in like the instinct of the ant.

“For [the kingdom of heaven is] like a man traveling to a far country, [who] called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. "Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. "And likewise he who [had received] two gained two more also. "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ "His lord said to him, ‘Well [done], good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ "He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ "His lord said to him, ‘Well [done], good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, [there] you have [what is] yours.’ "But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ‘So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ‘Therefore take the talent from him, and give [it] to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ‘And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matthew 25:14-30 NKJV)