“I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed: it is because they envy the things their neighbors have.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4 GNT)
We can come up with many excuses for overworking. Sometimes we blame it on providing for our family. Other times we insist our work is so important that to slow down would be negligent.
But usually, it’s a values problem. We start valuing the wrong things. Specifically, we value the acquisition of stuff above all else.
The Bible says, “I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed: it is because they envy the things their neighbors have” (Ecclesiastes 4:4 GNT).
God says we have two options: We can either spend all of our time keeping up with the Joneses, or we can forget them and reduce our stress level. But we can’t have both.
That’s how this becomes a question of values. Do you want more stuff, or do you want less stress and more time with your family? The choice is yours.
When is enough, enough? You can win the rat race, but you’re still a rat!
Jesus said it like this: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36 NIV) To put it in modern language, “What good is it for a man to become president of his company but lose his kids or his wife?”
The simple answer? It’s not good at all.
Your work and your worth are two different things. Many of you grew up being told you’re worthless, and you’re out in the workplace trying to prove everyone wrong. In the back of your mind, you’re telling yourself, “I’m going to show them. I’m going to prove them wrong.” You work harder and harder, but no matter how hard you work, it’s never enough. Just about the time you start to relax, you hear a haunting voice telling you, “Keep pedaling. Somebody’s catching up!” You need to get rid of the voice. It’s feeding you a lie.
As a pastor, I’ve been by many bedsides as people died. I’ve seen many people take their last breath, sometimes at a hospital, sometimes in a home, and sometimes at the scene of an accident. Among all of the people I’ve watched die in my life, I’ve never heard anyone say with their dying breath, “I wish I’d spent more time at the office.”
Not one.
Don’t you think it’s time to adjust your values? Don’t be a rat. Jump out of the race. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over
How have you seen overwork affect your family?
When you’ve struggled with overwork in your life, what have been the primary causes?
In what ways do you sometimes equate your work with your worth?
Today’s Scripture
“For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” (Romans 5:17, AMP)
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Reign in Life
We are to reign in life as kings. When God looks at us, He doesn’t see us in weak, defeated or leftover positions. Not at all. God sees us as rulers, as royalty. We have His royal blood flowing through our veins.
Do you know what that word “reign” means? It means “your time in power.” God said we’re to reign “in life.” That means as long as you’re alive, that is your time in power. You don’t have a two-year term like the Mayor or a four-year term like the President. Your term is to rule and reign every single day, to be victorious, to rise to new levels, to accomplish great things.
Everyone has days when they don’t feel like royalty, they don’t feel powerful. On those days, if you can just remember to reach down and check your pulse, and as long as you feel something beating, you can say, “It’s still my time to reign!” Let that be a reminder to put on a new attitude. Walk like royalty, talk like royalty, and think like royalty. Remember, you have the blood of a champion, and you were created to reign in life!
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for making me an heir to Your promises. Thank You for giving me Your power so that I can rule and reign with You. Help me to see myself the way You see me so that I can live the abundant life You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen
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