The Ant Philosophy

“Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)

“The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer.” (Proverbs 30:25)

The ant picture a creature which survive due to natural instinct. The wisdom of this small insect reveals the beauty of the wise Creator and His creation. Therefore during ancient time; the ant always becomes a model for the principle that labor, diligent, planning, and resourcefulness are better than strength. Wisdom is superior to might and muscle. “O sluggard, observe her ways…” simply mean; dear lazy people learn from an ant!

Recently, I received a weekly e-mail by Jim Rohn International. This week they share about the four-part philosophy on the study of the ants. It is an interesting observation by late Jim Rohn and as I read it, I remember the profound reminders by wise counsels of the old in the Book of Proverbs. Just like the perseverance of ants when you try to stop or block them with your fingers (or in my case; when I was a little kid, I blocked their way with shampoo bubbles and hot plastic bag fire ball!) they will always find their way. So it is, with this four-part philosophy, it persevere over time.

The Ant Philosophy by Jim Rohn

(Summarized and edited mine)

1.     First, ants never quit.

“That’s a good philosophy. If they’re headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another way. They’ll climb over, they’ll climb under, and they’ll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy, to never quit looking for a way to get where you’re supposed to go.”

2.     Second, ants think winter all summer.

“That’s an important perspective. You can’t be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering their winter food in the middle of summer.”

3.     Third, ants think summer all winter.

“That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, “This won’t last long – we’ll soon be out of here.” And the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turn cold again, they’ll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. They can’t wait to get out.

4.     Lastly, ants gather all he possibly can.

“How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the “all-you-possible-can” philosophy.”

THINK BIG Wisdom is superior to might and muscle.

START SMALL Observe ant ways and be wise.

GO DEEP God can even teach us the way of life through His smallest creature – ant.

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References:

1)    Jim Rohn International, The Ant Philosophy; An amazing Four-part Philosophy for Success. (www.JimRohn.com) Used not by permission… please don’t sue me~

2)    The MacArthur Study Bible NASB©. Used by permission.