Does the Bible say anything about workaholism?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

While work is certainly necessary and good (Genesis 2:15; Proverbs 6:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12), when it takes precedence in our hearts above God and others (Matthew 22:37), it becomes workaholism. God desires for us to spend time with others (Hebrews 10:24-25) and even to rest (Genesis 2:2), but we cannot do either if we are driving ourselves into the ground with work. We shouldn’t be working because we love money (1 Timothy 6:10) or even because we want to reach the world’s idea of success. Everything we do should have an eternal perspective—storing up treasures in heaven rather than on this earth (Matthew 6:19-21). Even important ministry work (Luke 10:2), can turn into workaholism if we are not careful. Oftentimes, people become workaholics because of anxiety, but we don’t have to rely on ourselves for absolute provision because Jesus can take care of our needs (Matthew 6:25-34). Ultimately, our work shouldn’t be centered on our wants and desires but rather focused on God (Colossians 3:17).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Work is good when treated with a godly perspective, but God also provides us with the gift of rest and recreation (Genesis 2:2).
• Meaningful work is part of God's design for humans. Genesis 2:15 shows that God placed Adam "in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."
• By nature, work is not bad, and hard work is even encouraged in the Bible (Proverbs 6:6).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus encouraged His followers to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Money is a necessary and useful tool, but it cannot purchase meaning.
• Many times a person becomes a workaholic out of anxiety. Jesus assures us that God knows our needs and will provide (Matthew 6:25-34).
• Loving anything more than God makes it an idol. We are commanded throughout Scripture to love God over everything else (Matthew 22:37). When work—even vocational ministry work—becomes an obsession, it has taken God's rightful place in our lives.
• Jesus told us to pray for workers in God's harvest because "the harvest is plentiful" (Luke 10:2). We should work diligently, but our primary focus should be on Christ and becoming more like Him.
• Paul's reminder to the Colossians is also a great reminder for us: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). Doing our work in the name of the Lord and giving thanks for the opportunity to work helps center us on Christ.
• Scripture condemns laziness (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12), but we do not need to anxiously devote all that we are to our jobs. Our hearts must be devoted to God; our work is to be done in submission to Him and for His glory.
• At times, workaholism is motivated by greed. We are warned that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).
• God wants us to spend time in fellowship with other people (Hebrews 10:24-25). If we are consumed by work, we miss out on close relationships with God and with others.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

"Workaholism" is the practice of being devoted to a career, job, or ministry to the point of obsession. Often, workaholics will pour themselves into their work with no energy left for anything else in their lives. They rarely rest and may even begin to view friends in light of their career rather than as friends. Our paychecks do not have eternal value. When we work only to inflate our bank accounts, we fail to invest in things with true eternal value. However, when we view work as an opportunity to advance the Kingdom of Heaven, we refocus our perception of our work to glorify God. When we are more focused on Christ than we are on our work or careers, we set ourselves up to maintain a healthy work and life balance. If our jobs take up so much of our energy that Jesus loses predominance, we risk creating an idol out of our work.

UNDERSTAND

• God intended us to work, but working should not take precedence over a relationship with God or others.
• Workaholism is often motivated by love of money, which the Bible warns against.
• Whatever work we do should glorify the Lord.

REFLECT

• How do you maintain a biblical attitude toward work?
• In what ways can you honor God in your work?
• How do you ensure that anxiety over finances doesn’t lead to becoming a workaholic?

ENGAGE

• In what way does the culture’s attitude toward work contrast with biblical principles about work?
• How do society’s messages about money encourage workaholism, and how do the principles in God’s Word help us live differently?
• What are some ways to give glory to God in the workplace and with our finances?