There are many dangers for people who are absorbed in their work. Buzzed by power, position, promotions, and paychecks, some believers become workaholics and neglect God, family, and their personal health. All who love their career need to guard against finding identity in what they do. Identity in anything that can be taken away is finding our identity in the wrong thing. 

But…at the other end of the spectrum, there are dangers as well. 

Ecclesiastes 10:18
Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

Workaholism is wrong, and so is laziness. Scripture has much to say about the lazy person. Here are just a few passages from the Proverbs. 

Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

Proverbs 20:4
The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

Proverbs 21:25
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

Proverbs 26:14
As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.

Proverbs 26:15
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.

Proverbs 26:16
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Laziness is addressed in the New Testament as well. The apostle Paul demonstrated hard work among the Ephesians and explained to the church leaders that wages earned by working hard should be generously shared with those in need. Paul reminded the Ephesians of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:34-35). At the same time, he told Timothy to teach the Ephesians that anyone who did not provide for his family “has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8). 

I believe that Christians should be the hardest workers on the job. We should demonstrate that we labor unto God, not man. And the monies we earn should not be used selfishly. After providing for our family, we should be the most generous of all people. 

Father, help me do all my work as unto you. Help me to work diligently and efficiently. Help me strike the spiritual balance.  Don’t let me neglect my family because of my work. And don’t let me neglect the needs of my family by not working. Give me wisdom in this area of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.