LEADERSHIP Series: Lesson from the Ant

Leaders must have the capacity to observe all that life offers: to learn and then apply that knowledge wisely in the work place. This is a process of life-long learning - antithesis of laziness.


This kind of diligence, especially if you are running a business, is vital to healthy companies and a healthy personal growth. Leaders must have the capacity to observe, to learn and then apply wisdom in the work place – a process of life-long learning, which is antithesis of laziness. Much may be learned from the study of ant behavior.

Proverbs 6:6-11 (MSG) You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy--do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!

The ant society has no leader, no guide, no management team, but follows only the instinct of nature living out the patterns set forth by its Creator. They are future-focused. They don’t just consume, they save - storing what they need for the future.

Reminds me of our future - our work is not just “the job;” a believer’s work is to “make disciples” no matter what job we are doing. One attribute we can learn from the ant is that we are to “redeem the time” in following the Great Commission. It is our responsibility – not the pastor’s our some other spiritual leader’s. Ours.

Are your redeeming your time here on earth?

Much may be learned from the study of ant behavior. (Link here for more.)

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell