Proverbs 23:4 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.”
The pursuit of riches, power, and status is an all-consuming task. Relationships hold little value for the one who is busy climbing the ladder of success and fending off rivals. Joy and peace vanish in the strain of always being on guard, alert to political opportunity, wary of challengers, and continually striving for personal advancement. This approach to life is exhausting. It never satisfies. There will always be someone who has more money/power/status/acclaim. There will always be rivals who scheme to surpass you while you scheme to pass the next one up. How much wiser to show restraint, to learn contentment, to develop skill and craft, to work at something good for its own sake. I want to strive to produce excellent work and profitable results because it is good and right, not because it’s a path to furthering my ego.
Father, please keep me from wearing myself out for narcissistic ends. Help me enjoy my work and the people I work with. I want to honor and exalt you – entrusting the results and career path into your hands.