You Can Learn A Lot From Ants

You Can Learn A Lot From An Ant

Prov. 6:6-9, Prov. 30:25

Proverbs 6:6-9 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

Pro. 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.

Have you ever heard of a Myrmecologist ? No....it’s not a person that studies "murmuring" ! Myrmecology is the study of ants. I don’t know about devoting one’s whole live to studying the little things, but I do know that the bible says to consider their ways. And when we do take a look at them we find out that there quite an amazing creature, and there is much wisdom that can be gained from watching them. There are over 10,000 different species of ants. They are able to lift 20 times their own body weight. That means that if I had their strength I could lift approx. 4000 lbs. Ants have been found to build structures 500 times their own height. The brain of one ant has 250,000 cells whereas the human brain has 10,000 Million brain cells. However they probably use more of their cells than we do. What do you think? Ants also have 2 stomachs. One for storing up food to share with others later, and one for itself. Isn’t that nice of them to be so thoughtful?

The life expectancy of an ant is 45-60 days. Yet these tiny creatures accomplish much in your short life-span.

This morning I want us to consider the ants……cause we can learn a lot from an ant.

I. Ants Teach Us A Lesson About Performance.

a. To perform with efficiency there must be a plan.

At first glance at a anthill, and you just see a lot of activity. Ants running around everywhere…..but they have a plan. I believe that there are a a lot of believers who are active, and churches that are filled with programs…..but they have no plan. They have no vision for the future. They have little if any idea as to what their function is, and which way they are going. As a church we must have a vision, we must be as wise as ants. We must make all that we do count for the kingdom. Every organization, every committee, every class within the church should be geared towards reaching people, and teaching people !

b. To perform with efficiency there must be participation.

Take a look at a anthill, and you want see many if any ants just sitting around or standing around doing nothing. Everyone one of those ants have a job, and no one has to tell them what it is…..and no one has to push them to do it ! I wish that we could be that way as a church. Many folks would lose their job if they worked on their job the way they do for the Lord. We often do things half-way, throw things together at the last moment….put little if any time or planning into our efforts. We show up for the last minute unprepared ! If people ran their business the way that we operate at the house of God sometime………the businesses would go bankrupt !

Ants work together in harmony. You know how they’re able to do it! Each person is responsible! And their so busy doing what their supposed to do that they don’t have time to fight among themselves!

Ecc. 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might........."

Col. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Col 3:21 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

c. To perform with efficiency there must be peace.

One of the reasons that ants can get so much accomplished despite their size and in such a small amount of time is because of harmony.

Psa 133:1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Illust. When those who are called to fish, don’t fish, they fight!

Eph 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

II. Ants Teach Us A Lesson About Partnership.

A quote from a evolutionist:

“On their own, each ant’s behavior is relatively useless, but when swarms of ants come together, the patterns optimize naturally and allow them to accomplish tasks that should be far beyond their reach. To the outside observer, their self-organizing efforts seem to be directed by some larger force or collective intelligence. Theirs is a society that is truly more than the sum of its parts.” Did you catch that phrase ……..”larger force”. We call that larger force God. He created the ant, and they fulfil their purpose !