What the Bible Says About Rest

When it comes to work, whether it's at school, in the home, or at a professional job, there seem to be two kinds of people: those who are extremely motivated at working hard for the best result, and those who do the bare minimum that’s required of them. Of course, most people lie somewhere between these two extremes, but almost everyone leans towards one side or the other. There are several Bible passages, particularly in the book of Proverbs, which condemn laziness. God wants us to live productive lives, serving Him and others. However, some people take this way too far. So here’s the question: what does the Bible say about overworking?

God rested on the seventh day of creation to show us how to regulate our work. Obviously God didn’t need rest, as He is all-powerful. He rested on the seventh day to set an example for us. This example was solidified with the law of rest on the Sabbath, as well as other religious holidays that prohibited work. Leviticus 23:28, 30-32 gives us one example of this: “On this particular day you are not to do any work, for it is a Day of Atonement to make atonement for yourselves before the Lord your God. . . I will destroy among His people anyone who does any work on this same day. You are not to do any work. This is a permanent statute throughout your generations wherever you live. It will be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must practice self-denial. . . .” 

Because of the new covenant in Christ, the old law, including its rules for the Sabbath, is no longer in place. However, God’s advice on rest is still the same. An example can be found in Luke 10:38-42, when Jesus visits Mary and Martha. While Martha is busy with her many chores, Martha sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to Him speaking. Martha complains to Jesus that her sister isn’t helping with the work, and this is Jesus’ response: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her” (verses 41b-42). Fellowship with Jesus is far more important than earthly chores. This passage and those in the Old Testament both indicate that a relationship with God is far more important than physical work. Even if you’re working for something good, if it gets in the way of your Christian walk, it will harm you more than it will help you.

Work can mean many different things, from efforts to reach personal goals, to chores done around the house. Many people’s motivation to work, however, is to earn an income and provide for themselves or their family. In any case, it isn’t really our job at all to provide. In Luke 12:22-24, 27-30, Jesus tells His disciples: “Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?. . . Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you—you of little faith? Don’t keep striving for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.” In practical terms, there should be a healthy balance of God’s provision and our effort in terms of day-to-day life. Still, He cares about us, and His plans are always perfect, so He can absolutely allow us to prosper without working ourselves to death every day.

I’m not suggesting that anyone should quit their job or give up on everything they’re striving for, but God does tell us that He will provide, and that a relationship with Him is far more important than anything else we can work for here on earth. God wants us to bring honor to Him. He wants us to work hard, but He also emphasizes the importance of rest. What is the point of achieving anything if, at the end of the day, we’ve forgotten to allow time for the One who gave us the abilities to achieve it? God didn’t create us to be machines. He wants us to work, yes, but He also wants us to slow down and appreciate the world that He created and the life that He gives us. Most importantly, we must slow down to appreciate Him.

Sections: Balance, Christianity, Devotional, Happy, Nonfiction, Peace, Thankfulness