The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want – Proverbs 21:5
“Junior, how’s your writing about your summer coming along?” Grammy asked. “I haven’t started it yet. But I’ll get AI to write it for me. So, I’ll have it by Monday when I start back to school,” Junior answered. “You think using artificial intelligence to do what you’re supposed to do is right?” Grammy sternly asked. “It’s no big deal; everybody is doing it,” Junior responded. “Taking shortcuts, no matter how popular it is, deprives you of what doing the work can only give. Besides, AI wasn’t given the assignment; you were.” “Okay, Grammy, I’ll start working on it myself, as long as AI proofreads.”
During a recent social gathering, a conversation was held about the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. While I applauded it as a helpful tool, it was brought to my attention that students use it to do homework, such as writing assignments. Afterwards, I pondered the discussion and the pitfalls of shortcuts, and that it is a form of self-deprivation because it prevents a person from experiencing genuine appreciation for what they labored to obtain. This message is stressed in Proverbs 13:11, which says, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
Self-deprivation isn’t only about denying yourself certain things such as food; it can also be denying yourself the benefits of putting in the work without taking easier paths. There’s nothing wrong with getting a helping hand, as long as your hands are doing most of the work.