Is Overworking a Sin?

Jaedan said:

Hi,

I found myself collapsing on my bed due to exhaustion yesterday due to overworking myself (I spent all day working/studying. I only got about 1 hour and 30 minutes of sleep.)

I usually spend most of the week (including the weekends) trying to do as much studying and working as I can. Although I sometimes don't want to work, I do it anyways.


Is it a sin to overwork oneself?

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It probably would be a sin if you were to destroy your body/health by excessive work that was unnecessary. I don't "get" that this applies in your case as you've described it to us.

Jaedan said:

Hi,

I found myself collapsing on my bed due to exhaustion yesterday due to overworking myself (I spent all day working/studying. I only got about 1 hour and 30 minutes of sleep.)

I usually spend most of the week (including the weekends) trying to do as much studying and working as I can. Although I sometimes don't want to work, I do it anyways.


Is it a sin to overwork oneself?

Click to expand...

It depends on motive/intention and if other important things are neglected. Samson overworked himself killing 1000 Philistines and then collapsed from exhaustion, and it wasn't a sin. If the worship of God is neglected, then it would likely be a sin (this too depends on situation IMO).

Not necessarily, but the Bible does instruct us to take care of our bodies.

I would suggest that if it is causing you to neglect God or your family or other obligations then it could very well be sinful, otherwise not so much.

Mark

Jaedan said:

Hi,

I found myself collapsing on my bed due to exhaustion yesterday due to overworking myself (I spent all day working/studying. I only got about 1 hour and 30 minutes of sleep.)

I usually spend most of the week (including the weekends) trying to do as much studying and working as I can. Although I sometimes don't want to work, I do it anyways.


Is it a sin to overwork oneself?

Click to expand...

Yes it can be, because you can make work itself something above God, thus an idol.

The 'sabbath' in the old testament is for rest (that we need), and to focus on God, and the things of God. The sabbath Christ tells us is for man, for us, for our sakes, that we have the rest in God which we need.

Listen in Matthew chapter 6 about having our most essential needs met, and how that happens, starting at verse 19 (though reading the whole chapter is very helpful, as the prayer in the early part is given to us to pray each day, for the most crucial things)
Matthew 6 NIV

"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial."

I wouldn't phrase overwork as "sin"; among other things, I think that will just add to the burden of obligations that you seem to be overwhelmed by already.

Rather, be wise in taking care of yourself. Your work is important, but your physical and mental health is also important. Get the sleep you need, and give yourself permission to say "no" to things if you've committed to too many obligations.

Why do you push yourself during the week? Do you have responsibilities on the weekend? How is the pace affecting other areas of your life? What are you working towards?

I had a demanding career and often worked seven days a week. I’ve adopted a different pace through self-employment. I look for balance and employ tools and practices that allow me to accomplish my goals without overdoing it.

I don’t sleep 8 hours. But I make a point of getting to bed and having periodic breaks during the day. I use a combination of scheduling and batching to get things done. And I follow my body’s rhythm and perform tasks in my best state.

I have a start and end point for the day. I make time to unwind and break for an hour for lunch. I don’t work through meals. I enjoy them. I read books and purchase courses to enhance my productivity. I work with coaches too. And I’m a big proponent of tradeoffs.

I returned to school this year. That required adjustments elsewhere to keep things balanced. Business and school are my greatest demands. I minimize commitments to prevent overwhelm. I don’t fill every moment of the day. I have a lot of breathing room.

I plan school breaks in advance and use the time to reconnect and complete tasks I couldn’t address while busier. I keep my daily schedule in Trello and use physical planners for planning and accountability.

I recommend The 12 Week Year for a practical approach and Start Finishing for productivity challenges.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Even God rested on the seventh day. We ought to take the hint.

Remember all the times Jesus went off by Himself, or told the disciples to come along, and rest? He was saving the world. That is work a lot more important than anything you or I do, and even Jesus didn't do it 24/7.

You gotta pace yourself. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Regards,
Shodan

Jaedan said:

Hi,

I found myself collapsing on my bed due to exhaustion yesterday due to overworking myself (I spent all day working/studying. I only got about 1 hour and 30 minutes of sleep.)

I usually spend most of the week (including the weekends) trying to do as much studying and working as I can. Although I sometimes don't want to work, I do it anyways.


Is it a sin to overwork oneself?

Click to expand...

Someone once told me that they have no time to fit God in. If that is the case then I don't think its a good practice.

If your work is an idol to you, yes. That can easily result in overworking one's self.

This is different from certain occasions where you just have to push it.

Personally, I think if someone is working 60+ hours a week, they're doing it wrong.

There is not a "thou shalt not overwork" in the Bible but there are plenty of other words and principles which remind us that work/school is not meant to be the sole focus of our daily life. We all have seasons/time periods in which our work/school is demanding but it is our choice how we respond in those seasons. Where is your investment in your time with God in all of this because that is the point in which it may be sin if you are neglecting/ignoring God. And God did not give us bodies which function well under exhaustion so at some point that will catch up with you right?