What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance?

What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance? Being balanced is an expression that is common in most Christian gatherings. But what does being balanced really mean? And what does the Bible say about being balanced? Humans grow in body and in Spirit. As we grow physically, we should as well grow spiritually in the Word of God. Behold, Christians should be balanced in their everyday lives. We should rightly use every good thing that God gives us without worshipping it or demonizing it. Concerning our regular lives, the Bible says we should be balanced, placing our hopes in “God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). As Christians, we should be balanced by loving God with everything about us and enjoying earthly blessings while not putting any hope in them. Our hope is in God Almighty.

The Bible invites Christians to be balanced in their daily lives, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide them. It is important to understand that while the Bible explains the importance of not idolizing or demonizing certain things, it also warns us of placing anything even remotely close to our devotion, love, and worship of God. It is in this very light that we’ll discuss the Christian’s work-life balance. Work/life balance begins with a biblical view of work. As Christians, we perceive work as the place God has called us to serve Him from the heart, with excellence, for the benefit of others, and to please Him. Ephesians 6:5–8 gives us a deep Biblical view of work: God has called us to work, serve Him in our work, do this work with excellence, and put our trust in Him to reward our work.

What The Bible Says About Work-Life Balance

Achieving a balance between our personal, professional, and spiritual lives can be challenging. However, the Bible can help us to go about this God’s way. Note that we are not saying here that God promises that life will feel balanced all the time. The Bible does not promise such on Earth. Behold, even Jesus Christ had days that were not ‘balanced’. We can have a good understanding of this by reading Mark 1, where Jesus gives the morning sermon (21), casts out an unclean spirit (25-26), heals Peter’s mother-in-law (31), and then – as night falls – heals everyone in town who was sick or demon-possessed (32-34). And at the end of all these, Jesus Christ still went into prayers. However, the Bible offers us deep rest through weekly Sabbaths (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5).

Five (5) Ways To Achieve Work-Life Balance Like Jesus Christ

1) Have a little fun (John 2:1-2)

John 2:1-2 says, “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” Behold brethren, even Jesus Christ feasted. As a matter of fact, there were occasions on which Jesus Christ feasted with His Apostles. For His first miracle, Jesus Christ turns water into wine at a wedding. Weddings were huge celebrations during Jesus’ days. Thus, there is a need to be more intentional about making room for fun, hobbies, or leisure in your life. Have some time to spend with your family, friends, and fellow workers.

2) Study God’s Word, Meditate and Pray (Matthew 14:23)

Matthew 14:23 says, “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” Knowing and accomplishing God’s purpose for your life is the essence of your existence on Earth. Jesus Christ submitted His life for the accomplishment of His Father’s Will. He knew His Father’s Will and made everything possible for it to be accomplished in His life. Just like Him, we should regularly study God’s Word, meditate on it, put it into practice, and pray without ceasing. Once in a while, we should get away to a quiet or desolate place where there are no distractions in order to study God’s Word, meditate on it, and pray as we seek His face. Jesus Christ did this and as His followers, we ought to do the same.

3) Be hardworking in everything you do (John 9:4)

John 9:4 says, “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” Likewise, Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” As Christians or followers of Jesus Christ, we’ve been called to work hard in everything we do. We should always put in our best in accomplishing whatever task we have at hand. In this way, when it is time to work, let’s work and when it is time to rest, let’s rest.

4) Have Faith in God (Romans 8:28)

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” As Christians, we’ve been called to put our trust in God because He does all things for the good of those who love Him. We should put our faith in God and avoid worry. Trusting God opens doors for divine intervention, favor, and mercy. On our own, we can do nothing but with God, we can do all things. When we trust God, He takes control of our lives and makes everything happen for our good. Thus, whatever the situation we are going through, let’s put our trust in God alone. It is from Him that our help comes from (Psalms 121:1-2).

5) Believe that God is Sovereign, Omniscient, and Graciously Good (Matthew 6:25-33)

In Matthew 6:25-33, Jesus Christ is pointing to the unarguable fact that God is in control of the Universe, so human anxiety is unnecessary and unhelpful. It is important for us to avoid worry as it is more likely to cause us harm than good. Worrying day and night will not turn things around for the best but trusting in God’s sovereign ability will do. Behold, God takes care of the birds (Matthew 6:26) and the plants (Matthew 6:30), therefore He will take care of us. The birds don’t worry about the future but they do go and find food on daily basis. The grass gets beautifully clothed. Amazingly, God is sovereign over the physical needs of the birds and grass, but they still have to fulfill their design function. In the same light, we must trust in God and yet continue to pursue our vocations.

What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; …“

Proverbs 11:1 – “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.”

2 Peter 3:17 – “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.“

1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.“

Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Isaiah 41:13 – For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Philippians 4:11 – “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.“

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.“

Ephesians 5:15 – “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,”

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.“

John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

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Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“

Genesis 2:2-3 – “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”

Mark 6:31 – And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Luke 10:38-42 – Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Philippians 1:6 – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.“

1 John 2:15-17 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Proverbs 16:11 – “A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.”

Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,“

3 John 1:2 – “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”

John 5:30 – “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.“

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.“

1 John 1:4 – “And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.“

John 8:32 – “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1 Corinthians 13:7 – “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”

Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Job 31:6 – “(Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!)“

1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Mark 1:35 – “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”

Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Psalm 127:1-2 – “A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Luke 2:52 – “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Proverbs 30:7-9 – “Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”

Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Job 7:1-5 – “Has not man a hard service on earth, and are not his days like the days of a hired hand? Like a slave who longs for the shadow, and like a hired hand who looks for his wages, so I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me. When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise?’ But the night is long, and I am full of tossing till the dawn. My flesh is clothed with worms and dirt; my skin hardens, then breaks out afresh.“

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Ecclesiastes 7:18 – “It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.“

Galatians 6:6 – “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.“

Psalm 62:9 – “Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.”

Psalm 127:2 – “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

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Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; …“

Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.“

Isaiah 40:12 – “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?“

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Proverbs 20:23 – “Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.”

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

James 4:13-16 – “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Matthew 18:4 – “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.“

Matthew 11:28-29 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.“

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Ecclesiastes 4:5-6 – “The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.”

John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

John 6:35 – Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Mark 8:35-37 – “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?“

Leviticus 19:36 – “You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.“

Proverbs 14:27 – “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”

Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Matthew 5:44 – “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,“

Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Hebrews 10:1-39 – “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; ...”

Exodus 16:1-36 – “They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, …“

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Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Romans 8:35 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?“

Colossians 3:1-25 – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...”

Hosea 2:23 – “And I will sow her for myself in the land. And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’; and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’”

Matthew 6:34 – “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:“

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.“

Ecclesiastes 12:12 – “My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.”

Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?“

Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Ephesians 1:12-13 – “So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,”

1 John 5:20 – “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.“

Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Romans 9:25-26 – As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’

John 11:25-26 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Timothy 6:12 – “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

2 Timothy 3:7 – “Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Romans 8:18 – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.“

Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Work-Life Balance

Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Isaiah 40:15 – “Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.”

Matthew 10:30 – “But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.“

Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, …“