Work-life Balance

I have at times worked hard enough to damage my physical health. I have at times been so lazy that I haven't worked for weeks at a time.

The ultimate outcome of ones activity must be worthwhile otherwise an individual may actually be wasting time and effort doing something that is not worthwhile. What is the point of working? Whats the point of not working?

What is the point of not working?

There is no point in "not working unless by "not working" you are able to represent God to a greater relative extent than when you were "working" . For many people what they do for a living is what they are meant to do in life. It is part of who they are/ who they were made to be. I believe if you are a "heathen" yet you are enabled to want nothing more than you want God, and work hard providing for yourself and others, you represent God by serving others to a far greater extent than if you are a "super spiritual religious person" who does no work at all when they could.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

2 Chronicles 31:21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

Proverbs 18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

Ecclesiastes 3:22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?

Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Proverbs 31:15

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

2 Thessalonians 3:8 nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

1 Corinthians 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

Acts 10:2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

1 Timothy 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

Galations 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

What is the point of working?

Anything that can change is ultimately temporary and ultimately will not exist. To the extent we place value on that which can change and ultimately does not exist is the extent to which we will be bound by it. To the extent we place value on what ultimately is valueless we will waste time, energy and resources trying to create what is ultimately has no value. Of ourselves we cannot free ourselves, we first need to receive an understanding that many of the "things" we are working so hard to provide ultimately wont exist. We need to receive an understanding that many of these "things" have already been provided for us, but our inability to trust the Provider means we refuse to receive them. We need to receive an understanding that God, Whoever He Is can be trusted. This will then free us up to prioritize time, energy and resources in a more meaningful manner.

Psalms 127:1-2

Unless the Lord builds the house,

the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the guards stand watch in vain.

In vain you rise early

and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat—

for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Proverbs 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.

Isaiah 44:9 All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.

Isaiah 55:1- 3

Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you who have no money,

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear and come to me;

listen, that you may live.

John 6:27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Exodus 6:6 Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.

Exodus 6:8 I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the LORD.'"

Exodus 20:2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f]Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.