“I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.”

Proverbs 8:12

“There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer”

Proverbs 30: 24-25

Prudence is almost a forgotten word but should not be. In the past, prudence as a virtue has always been held in high regard. The ancients always included prudence in the list of the major virtues: justice, fortitude, and temperance. But in an age of fast food, instant everything, the idea of preparing for harder times aka 'strategic hoarding', is quaint and outdated it would seem.

In a Christian context, perhaps it has been displaced by living by the next miracle. God will provide … and rescue me ideas. Yes He does but he also rescues through the Extreme Wisdom of the Ant. In summer, when the weather is lovely and food abundant, the wise ant begins his preparations for the long cold days of winter. He knows as sure as summer came, winter will come too and with that scarcity. Yet, far too often, we do not follow the humble ant's example. I wonder why?

How is it we do not think like the ant? We would avoid so much physical need-pains and other, emotional or spiritual needless pains, if we just heeded the Extremely Wise Ant. Preparing in the abundance of summer for winter scarcity, is pure wisdom. Some may say “God is my provider, hoarding in summer shows a lack of faith!” Not at all. That sounds like a hangover of imbibing on too much faith in faith teaching. This is Divine Wisdom, etched into the DNA of every smart ant, that we prepare in good times for when bad times come. Our brains are far larger than the ant but he is often so much wiser than we!

And the Prudence of the Ant does not stop at safeguarding our physical needs. It extends to our emotional resilience and spiritual foresight. Building emotional margin or strength in your life may seem over the top, maybe a waste of time. Building friendships when you don't need them, helping others when you have more than enough, this is Godly Ant Wisdom. Ultimate prudence of course is preparing for what comes after death. Scripture does not change with the times. We neglect being prudent at our peril!