Sorting through some old papers, I found a yellowed pay-stub that showed I had worked 100 hours in the span of 7 days. It’s crazy—I know, since there are only 168 hours in a week. As I fingered the faded document, I tried to recall the project that had required so much of my time many years ago. I looked at the date, but I still couldn’t remember what had been so important at the office.
If I had continued that kind of overtime for the length of my corporate career, I might have ended up like the guy Solomon described—the one who was “all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who work[ed] hard to gain as much wealth as he [could]” (Ecclesiastes 4:8). Although overworking sometimes produces great wealth, Solomon warned that it is “meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
True success in life includes serving God, befriending others, and preserving lasting relationships. When work crowds out these aspects of life, we need to “be wise enough to know when to quit” (Proverbs 23:4). Quitting doesn’t necessarily mean leaving a job altogether; it may mean clocking out earlier each day in favor of family time, refusing to obsess over job tasks, or taking time off to go on a missions trip.
So, if your BlackBerry chirps during church, and your iPad chimes all through dinner, ask God to help you manage your work life. Ask for the courage to push away from the desk for needed rest (Mark 6:31), and for the wisdom (James 1:5) to know how to work hard without becoming enslaved to an occupation.
If you don’t, you might just wake up one day and wonder, “Who am I working for? And why am I giving up so much pleasure right now?” (Ecclesiastes 4:8).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 16:5-33
More:
Read Ephesians 6:7 to see a godly motivation for work. Read Genesis 2:2 to see why it’s okay to take a break from work.
Next:
Why is overworking sometimes viewed (wrongly) as a good thing? Why is it difficult to conquer an addiction to work?
Sam on September 18, 2012 at 12:44 am
Excellent article, that is the courage exactly I need in my corporate life. Thanks for sharing 🙂
jennifer benson schuldt on September 18, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Sam, you used a great word in your response–courage. Sometimes finding the right work/life balance requires courage. We may have to say “no” to certain things in order to say “yes” to others. God can give us the wisdom to know when and how to respond in each situation. May God give you His peace and show you His favor today.
mike on September 18, 2012 at 6:59 am
Thanks for the great reminder of life balance.
jennifer benson schuldt on September 18, 2012 at 2:47 pm
You’re welcome!
mike wittmer on September 18, 2012 at 9:28 am
This is very helpful, Jennifer. I think we often feel guilty for not working long enough, when in reality we are working longer than ever, especially thanks to smart phones and laptops.
jennifer benson schuldt on September 18, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Mike, I had to laugh when I read your response to this devotional. I read it from my smartphone, sitting in front of my laptop at a local coffee shop!
It seems like the more technology we have, the more we are expected to “do”. Technology enables more work, and at times, it creates more work.
tom felten on September 18, 2012 at 9:50 am
Thanks, Jennifer. Colossians 3:23 states: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Ephesians 6:7 (above) is very similar. Paul’s word choices of working “willingly” and “enthusiastically” are so true—they will certainly make a big difference as we approach our jobs. But the key is—as both verses identify—to make working for God our aim, not working for others. If we do that, we’ll do it with excellence out of a desire to please and glorify Him.
jennifer benson schuldt on September 18, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Tom,
Thank you so much for this reminder. 🙂
Working for God helps take the fear out of failure while inspiring us to do our best at the same time.
Another interesting angle is that He enables us to work as well. Without Him, we can do nothing–I know for sure that this is true in my life! I’m so thankful for His sustaining power and strength (Psalm 28:7).
strngwmnnchrst on September 18, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Even our savior rested….Finding balance is very important…God can help us to do just that….
winn collier on September 20, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Been thinking about this a lot lately, as the season I’m in is one where the margins are running thin. I’ve been asking what it looks like to live with a posture of simplicity amid a time that’s everything but. Thanks.