Weekly Devotion, "A Word for Workaholics" - Jan. 30, 2012

from Lenae, GEMS training manger

A WORD FOR WORKAHOLICS

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

but a man (woman) is tested by the praise he (she) receives.

Proverbs 27:21

In his book, A Proverbs Driven Life – Timeless Wisdom for Your Words, Work, Wealth, and Relationships, Anthony Selgavvio warns that there is a temptation toward two extremes in our attitude toward work. One extreme is the lure of laziness which the Bible calls being a sluggard. Today we’d call this person a couch potato. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep (Proverbs 6:9)?

“At the other extreme,” Selgavvio writes, “we can worship our work, finding the very core of our identity in ‘what we do.’ When I adopt this view, I become what the Bible calls an idolater – specifically, in today’s language, a workaholic.”

This extreme hits close to home for women who think “working nine to five” sounds like a vacation day. When work becomes our idol we reject the balanced pattern God gave us of work and rest.

The idol of praise. Do we do our work to praise God and make Him known? Or do we idolize the praise of people for a job well done? The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man (woman) is tested by the praise he (she) receives (Proverbs 27:21).

The idol of pride. Do we do our work in dependence on God? Or do we go about our responsibilities as if everything depends on us to get the job done right in our homes, churches, and the workplace? The wise walk and work humbly with their God. They get rid of their pride and stop depending on themselves and start trusting and depending on God. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

The idol of greed. Do we work to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20)? Or are we pursuing the idols of earthly treasures, pleasures, and power? Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God (Proverbs 30:8-9).

In Luke 10 Jesus chides Martha (perhaps a workaholic?) and praises Mary (perhaps a sluggard?) In his must read book for the overworked and exhausted, The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan, he writes that Jesus’ response was that “Mary’s choice is only better. What would be best? My guess: Martha’s industry joined to Mary’s attentiveness. The best is to have Martha’s hands and Mary’s heart.”

Wisdom Step: What choices can you make today to follow God’s pattern of work and rest?

Sit with Jesus until you hear from Him what He would have you do. Then put your hand to the task, Martha-like, and do it with all your heart, Mary-like.

Mark Buchanan