Proverbs 21:5

 The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about our plans.

Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,

But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

Too many people rush into too many things.   Too many people don't look into things long enough before they make their decisions.   Too many people are titillated by shinny things and by short term investment in hopes of long term gains.   Wisdom says different.   Wisdom says that diligence will always pay off.  However, those who are hasty and don't plan will find nothing but an empty hand.  We get advantage if we move forward according to plan and design.   Being diligent will lead to an advantage in all that we do.   Others, who fail to plan and fail to work their plan, who move ahead with haste, will end with nothing.  They will end in want.  They will end in emptiness.   Wisdom says move forward with a well thought out plan and with a diligent attitude.   It is when we are in haste and without a plan that we stand at the door of want.   Plan and be diligent in working it.   Another proverb that states the same thing is here:

Proverbs 10:4-5 (ESV)

4 A slack hand causes poverty,

but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,

but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

The prodigal son had a “slack hand” and it caused his poverty.    Jacob was a prudent son and it produced a blessing in his life.   We can go in either of those directions.  These proverbs lay out both the choice and the results.   The wise choose to be diligent.