What does the Bible say about workaholism?

Scripture warns against finding identity in work (Ecclesiastes 2:10–11) and calls believers to work for the Lord, not for human approval (Colossians 3:23–24). Work is a gift, but idolatry of success leads to emptiness.

How can Christians find balance between work and rest?

Christians find balance by rooting identity in Christ, practicing Sabbath rest, setting healthy boundaries, and working as worship. Jesus invites the weary to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28).

The Idol of Success and Workaholism

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read

Show Summary

In a culture that prizes titles, productivity, and platform, men can easily turn success into an idol and slip into workaholism. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 2:10–11 and Colossians 3:23–24, Dave Jenkins shows how the gospel frees us from performance-based identity and calls us to faithful, Christ-centered labor and true rest in Jesus.

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Scripture

Ecclesiastes 2:10–11 — The emptiness of chasing success for its own sake.
Colossians 3:23–24 — Work heartily for the Lord, not for men.

Episode Notes

The Idol of Success

Measuring worth by performance and recognition.
Sacrificing family, health, and rest for achievement.
Great gains can still be vanity apart from the Lord.

The Trap of Workaholism

Places work above worship and robs Sabbath rest.
Makes us slaves to productivity rather than servants of Christ.
Respectable on the surface, idolatrous at the core.

Redeeming Work in Christ

Identity is in Christ, not output.
Work becomes worship; ordinary tasks gain eternal significance.
True rest is found in Jesus (Matt. 11:28).

Practical Steps for Men of Grace

Examine your motives — God’s glory or self-recognition?
Set boundaries — Guard time for family, worship, and rest.
Practice Sabbath rest — Trust God’s provision over endless labor.
Celebrate faithfulness — Not just visible results.
Anchor identity in Christ — Your reward is an eternal inheritance.

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Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.