Why did G-d care that Bilaam woke up early to saddle his own donkey? What was so significant about doing something that was beneath his dignity?
The Midrash tells us that G-d reminded Bilaam that Avraham had gotten up even earlier to saddle his own donkey when he went to fulfill the command of the Akeidah. But why compare the two?
Perhaps the message was that we should put as much effort into serving G-d as we put into our worldly goals. Bilaam was willing to go to great lengths because of his hatred for the Jewish people. Avraham, however, was willing to go to even greater lengths out of devotion to G-d.
We see this in our own lives. People wake up early, work long hours, and spend tremendous energy pursuing careers, money, and success. Torah and mitzvot deserve that same dedication.
The Chiddushei Harim taught that he learned diligence from a carpenter who woke before dawn to work. If someone is willing to wake up early to earn money, how much more should we be willing to wake up early to earn eternity.