Are you working yourself to death?

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Take care of yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:17 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “Are you working yourself to death?”

When we read the book of Ecclesiastes it’s important to read it with the end in mind. Read chapter twelve first, then go back and start in chapter one verse one. Solomon’s objective was to help his readers see that many of the things we become compulsive about in life are relatively meaningless in the end, and in the process, we often neglect the most important things (God, family, health).

But that doesn’t really become clear until the end of the book, and if you don’t know where he is heading with all this, as you come across thoughts like that in 2:17 it can seem dark, pessimistic, and even hopeless. But that’s not the message Solomon was really trying to send. Instead, he was trying to help us set good priorities and to keep things in their proper perspective. With respect to his observation in 2:17 regarding work, the fact is that the rest of the Bible helps us to understand that work is important not meaningless. We should have a job to support ourselves and our families, and we should work hard and do a good job. We just shouldn’t become compulsive about our work.

In Japan the entire culture has an unhealthy work ethic. The Japanese are so fixated on working hard, producing excellent results, and showing absolute loyalty to the company or employer, that they make themselves sick over it. They even kill themselves over it. The term for this malady of overworking is “Karoshi” and it refers to sudden death or suicide caused by overwork or occupational stress. It has been a problem in Japanese society for decades. Each year thousands of people literally drop dead at work, or commit suicide because of work-related stress. Many thousands of others are suffering from multiple health issues related to the stress and strain of overworking.

It’s a problem in our society too. Work is important. We should work, and we should do a good job. But the truth is that if you were to die today your company will be taking steps to replace you tomorrow. So, don’t sacrifice your health on the altar of work. Work hard and do a good job, but also maintain the proper balance. Don’t let your job kill you.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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