“The Force of Diligence: Why Nothing Works Without Work”

“The Force of Diligence: Why Nothing Works Without Work”

**Slothfulness is the destroyer of destiny.** Nothing works until someone works. Even God worked—He created the heavens and the earth and rested only after finishing His work (Genesis 2:2). So, where did the idea come from that success can come without effort?

Unfortunately, many believers hide under the guise of faith while doing absolutely nothing. They say, “I’m believing God,” but that’s not faith—it’s irresponsibility dressed in religious language. Scripture clearly says, *“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”* (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Those who place pleasure before labor will live under constant pressure. True success is not just ambition; it's your birthright in Christ. You are redeemed to be a light to the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. But many have allowed their present situations to cloud their minds. They believe that life is simply about surviving—eating, drinking, and sending children to school. But there is more. Much more.

Diligence is one of the unshakable foundations for success. Diligence simply means **hard work.** It has no “soft” version, even for spiritual people. Christians are not exempt from labor. Though you're destined for global relevance, without hard work, that potential remains buried. Slothfulness is a destiny killer.

Some people spend their time crafting big visions but refuse to run with them. Vision without execution leads to frustration. The Bible says, *“Write the vision, make it plain… that he may run that reads it”* (Habakkuk 2:2). The operative word is **run**—not sit, not wait.

Jesus said, *“My Father is always at His work… and I too am working”* (John 5:17). If God works and Jesus works, how can any believer justify laziness? Apostle Paul adds, *“He who does not work, let him not eat”* (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

One man in Liberia was transformed just by reading a small booklet titled *Wisdom Diary on Diligence.* He declared, *“Living without working is dying without knowing.”* Some are looking only for glamorous jobs—oil companies, ministries of foreign affairs—but reject humble beginnings. If you want to eat, you must work.

Even this globally renowned ministry began in humble ways. Bishop Oyedepo once taught in primary school by choice. Today, he teaches the world. But the path was paved by diligence, not by idleness.

Faith is not a substitute for hard work. Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, declared: *“I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day”* (John 9:4). Laziness is not faith; it’s self-deception.

The world may be obsessed with taking it easy, but the Bible warns, *“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion”* (Amos 6:1). The night comes when no man can work, so we must wake up and labor while it is still day.

There’s no star without a scar—the scar of sacrifice. Every high flyer is a hard worker. God the Father is a tireless worker. God the Son is a faithful worker. And the Holy Spirit is an eternal worker (John 14:16). These three live inside you. So where did you inherit laziness?

Only those who labor before pleasure will enjoy lasting success. *“Prepare your work in the field… and afterward build your house”* (Proverbs 24:27).

Work is not a curse—it is a gift. As Billy Graham once said, “All temptations come to idle people.” Engage in something meaningful now, and you will experience a glorious turnaround.

Jesus said, *“My Father is always at His work… and I too am working”* (John 5:17). If God works and Jesus works, how can any believer justify laziness?