How to Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance?
Summary of a Sermon by Tim Keller
For many of us, work is all-consuming. Family members don’t have time to eat together, and friends don’t have time to hang out. But work can fail. And for those who define themselves by their work, this failure can be devastating.
What is the Bible’s instruction on work-life balance?
First, work is good. God worked to create the world (Genesis 2:2).
We are made in God’s image and likeness. So, work is good for us also (Genesis 1:26), and God has prepared the good work we should do (Ephesians 2:10).
Good work takes many forms. For example, God planted a garden for the people He created (Genesis 2:8). Christ on earth worked in construction. Parents toil to raise their children. These are different forms of work.
We should choose work that fits us, based on abilities God gives us, but also work that addresses the needs around us.
Then balance work with rest. Rest is essential. Even God rested after He worked to create the world (Genesis 2:2).
But we can’t have true rest if our work is entirely for ourselves, or we use work to define ourselves. In the 1976 movie Rocky, Rocky Balboa says he worked very hard because he didn’t want to be “another bum from the neighborhood.” Describing her drive, the famous singer Madonna once said, “I still have to prove I'm somebody.” It is difficult to rest with such goals.
Christ gives us real rest (Matthew 11:28). Our value is found in us being God’s children, a grace from God through Christ’s death on the cross. Such acceptance will give us real rest.
Work is good. We should do the good work God prepared for us, work that fits us and addresses the needs around us. We also should balance work with rest. Believing in Christ will give us real rest.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/made-for-stewardship-5206/
What is the Bible’s instruction on work-life balance?
First, work is good. God worked to create the world (Genesis 2:2).
We are made in God’s image and likeness. So, work is good for us also (Genesis 1:26), and God has prepared the good work we should do (Ephesians 2:10).
Good work takes many forms. For example, God planted a garden for the people He created (Genesis 2:8). Christ on earth worked in construction. Parents toil to raise their children. These are different forms of work.
We should choose work that fits us, based on abilities God gives us, but also work that addresses the needs around us.
Then balance work with rest. Rest is essential. Even God rested after He worked to create the world (Genesis 2:2).
But we can’t have true rest if our work is entirely for ourselves, or we use work to define ourselves. In the 1976 movie Rocky, Rocky Balboa says he worked very hard because he didn’t want to be “another bum from the neighborhood.” Describing her drive, the famous singer Madonna once said, “I still have to prove I'm somebody.” It is difficult to rest with such goals.
Christ gives us real rest (Matthew 11:28). Our value is found in us being God’s children, a grace from God through Christ’s death on the cross. Such acceptance will give us real rest.
Work is good. We should do the good work God prepared for us, work that fits us and addresses the needs around us. We also should balance work with rest. Believing in Christ will give us real rest.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/made-for-stewardship-5206/