Lessons From Ants
February 9th, 2010
To make better decisions, people can learn lessons from ants. I remember learning about ants in grade school when our teacher read to us one of Aesop’s fables called “The Grasshopper and the Ant.” The grasshopper spent his time in the summer playing while his ant friend worked to store up food for the winter. The grasshopper did not understand why the ant worked when he could be playing. The ant tells the grasshopper, “Winter is coming. I am storing up food for the winter. I think you should do the same.” In reply, the grasshopper says, “Winter is a long time off. There is plenty of food.” When winter came, however, the grasshopper found himself hungry. When he asks his ant friend for food, he is rebuked for his failure to prepare during the summer. From this experience, the grasshopper learned, “It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.” This story illustrates what we have already said about short and long-term gratification. The grasshopper focuses only on the short-term while the ant prepares for the future.
The Bible also talks about the value of learning from ants. “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8). Ants plan ahead; that is, they work while they have the opportunity. They work without an overseer; that is, they are self-motivated and do what is in their long-term best interest. In contrast, the sluggard finds excuses for not working, but at harvest time he has nothing (Proverbs 20:4).
The Bible says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Ants make the most of every opportunity. The problem is that many people live their lives without taking advantage of their opportunities. Youth itself is an opportunity, and once it is gone, it does not return. So, if people made better decisions earlier in life they would avoid difficulty later on. Unfortunately, many never consider the long-term consequences of their decisions.
J B Myers
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