Someone told me the other day that I needed to retire before “I work myself to death”. I replied that I’d never actually heard of anyone “working themselves to death”. He of course went on to tell me of various people he has known who dropped dead while hard at work in the field and otherwise. I asked if the doctors had listed those people’s causes of death as “overwork”. His response was “I don’t know but that’s what caused it”.
Hmmm… I did not belabor the discussion because it was useless. I could relate an example of someone I knew who was formerly actively involved in their job who retired to complete inactivity (aside from sitting on the couch, stuffing on chips and soda, and worshipping their big screen one-eyed God). This person suddenly died on the couch less than a year later. In fairness I’m sure the cause of death was not listed as “retirement”.
I thought I could retire, but I didn’t like it. I’d much rather be involved with important projects, especially those that help lead people to Jesus, or provide me with the necessary funds to enable others do so. I’ve read the Bible many times and I’ve never seen one example where God blessed someone who was lazy or idle, nor have I seen any mention of retirement.
I think God has provided us with many examples of what happens when inactivity besets us. We merely waste away. If someone is in an accident and cannot exercise certain muscles those formerly strong vibrant muscles will begin to atrophy and eventually die. Don’t allow your life to atrophy, waste away, wither, shrivel up, and weaken until you degenerate into a couch potato and die. Find something you can be passionate about and get off the couch and do it.
Making the money that we need to support our families should not be the only object of working. Billionaire Chic-Filet-a founder Truett Cathy told me the other day that he tells his employees to “work hard and have fun” with an emphasis on fun. He said if you aren’t having fun at your current job, then you should find a new one. He is 90 years old and still comes into work most days. He doesn’t need the money, so I suppose he just wants to come in for a while and have some fun.
Proverbs 6:9
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?