Reflections

⁴ Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
       have the wisdom to show restraint.

 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
       for they will surely sprout wings
       and fly off to the sky like an eagle.  Proverbs 23:4-5

Are you a workaholic?  Here in the United States there are many who spend so much of their time working to pay for the excess of things that they have.  I marvel at people with big homes who cannot enjoy them because they spend most of their hours at work to be able to pay their mortgage.  There are those that must work more than one job to make ends meet, but there are those who work to gain riches.  They wear themselves out trying to get rich.

These people will neglect their families and friends.  They have no time for God, recreation, vacation, church, friends, family or even quiet time for themselves.  It is easy to fall prey to working long hours and justify it in our minds that we are doing it to make money for a better quality of life.  But is our quality of life really better?  What is our work costing us at home and in our relationship with God?

I remember when I worked in Law Enforcement I worked a minimum 50+ hours a week and at times only had one day off.  I was making very good money but felt like my life only involved my job – I worked, ate and slept.  I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and put on medication all before I turned 30 years old.  I left the field and people said I was foolish because of all the money I gave up.  It was the wisest decision I made because once I left, I got my life back and my health back.  I have a beautiful family that I can focus on and my time with them is more precious than silver and gold.  They are my true riches. 

Do not chase after riches at the expense of your family, your time, your health and God.  God will provide for you.  Chase after true riches – those things that add to your life and money can’t buy.  Imagine if we pursued wisdom the way we pursue riches?   The truth is real wealth is tied to wisdom.