As we finish our study in learning how to Flourish in Giving, let’s look at a word associated with giving; a word used throughout the Bible that informs us about our required effort: diligence.
“…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-11 NKJV)Diligence
- Hebrew (Old Testament) definitions: to
guard, watch with full attention and attentiveness, eager determination, vehemently,
wholly, speedily
“Keep your heart with all diligence for out of spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)
- Greek (New Testament) definitions: speed
on/urge on, eagerness/to await eagerly, earnestness, hastily; to use speed, to
make effort, be prompt and earnest, endeavor, study carefully, to investigate,
search out, crave, and demand. One of these Greek words is formed from two
words: the first word means the origin
point from which motion proceeds (motivation), and the second word means, to seek, to worship God, desire, enquire.
It basically means that God is the very reason we should diligently seek Him; He
is reason enough to motivate us toward humble worship and obedience.
“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12 NKJV)
We are to
give all diligence – give our utmost effort – to the things of God (Psalm 119:4, Matthew 6:33). We are to be
diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless (2 Peter 3:14) – daily effort is required
in forgiving (Matthew 18:17-35, Ephesians
4:31-32), in purifying our hearts (1
John 3:3), in being holy in all our conduct (1 Peter 1:15-16) – and we should always remember to be quick to do
these things! Don’t hold on to upset (Matthew
18:15-20, Ephesians 4:26-27), impurities (Ephesians 5:1-7), or worldly behaviors
(Colossians 3:1-17) – think on all
that God is, and all that He has done for you, and let that energize and motivate
you to continued and immediate obedience
and repentance!
“…diligence is man’s precious possession.” (Proverbs 12:27b NKJV)
Consider
that a widowed woman, in 1 Timothy 5:9-10, needed to be “well reported for good works”
and she needed to have “diligently followed every good work”
– quickly motivated to help, to alleviate, eager to show love, care, and
compassion to those in need. Diligence is a word that we each should always be
exemplifying to those around us!
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)
When we
give diligence – use our utmost effort – to seek God, we will find Him (Acts 17:26-27,
James 4:8) and when we continue in our desire to know Him better He will reward us;
our eyes will be opened to truth and it will light the path home (Psalm 119:105, John 3:20-21).
When we
give diligence – eagerly exert ourselves – to our walk (1 John 2:3-6, Colossians 1:9-11), we will find daily motivation to
stay the course and encourage others to develop faith and diligently seek God along
with us (Psalm 78:4, 79:13, Matthew 5:16)
When we
give diligence – continual careful effort – to add virtue to our faith, knowledge
to our virtue, self-control to our knowledge, perseverance to our self-control,
godliness to our perseverance, brotherly kindness to our godliness, and love to
our brotherly kindness (2 Peter 1:5-11),
we will flourish and be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And
we will be motivated to make even more effort – quickly and carefully – to do
all that is pleasing to God!!
Flourish in giving even more in 2024 by first giving yourself to God, then in giving thanks to God for all that He has done, continues to do, and
for all He has promised yet to do! Flourish in giving glory to God, because He is worthy of our every thought of
love and word of praise – He has blessed us with all we have – so use these
blessings to give to others! Give time,
give physical needs, and give generously! Don’t give opportunity to the devil,
nor give heed to man-made ideas and notions, instead, give time and attention to study of the God’s word so that you won’t
give offense in anything for the gospel’s sake! And give it your all (Colossians
3:23)! Let God – our glorious Creator and loving Father - motivate you
toward daily determined diligence to flourish even more in giving!
You can do it! So can I!!
