There’s something oddly glamorous about burnout these days—like a badge of honor you earn from working 16-hour days and skipping meals because “the grind never stops.” But let’s be honest: glorifying exhaustion is…well, exhausting.
Now let’s rewind about 3,000 years, where a simple yet piercing line was dropped in Proverbs 23:4:
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself.”
This isn’t just ancient wisdom—it’s a straight-up reality check for a generation convinced that sleep is optional. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
Let’s unpack this verse for a minute.
On the surface, it’s about wealth. But look a little deeper, and it’s a masterclass in balance. God didn’t design you to run like a machine. You're not a spreadsheet or a productivity hack. You’re a whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and all of that needs rest to thrive.
We often chase success like it’s a finish line that’ll finally let us breathe. Except…the line keeps moving, doesn’t it? Proverbs is calling us out. It’s telling us that wisdom isn’t in the chase—it’s in knowing when to slow down.
And yes, that includes intentionally taking breaks.
Let’s take this ancient verse and drop it into a modern-day situation.
You’re a business owner, knee-deep in client calls, invoices, team management, and growth plans. You tell yourself it’s just “a busy season,” but that season’s been going on for…a year now?
Sound familiar?
This is where Proverbs 23:4 hits home. Rest isn't just a suggestion. It’s part of the blueprint. Because if you’re constantly drained, your decisions suffer. Your creativity flatlines. Your relationships? Let’s not even go there.
Intentional rest isn’t laziness. It’s stewardship.
“Once I started scheduling breaks like I schedule meetings, everything shifted. I had more clarity, more patience, and weirdly—more results.”
— Someone who finally took the verse seriously
“It wasn’t until I completely stepped away for a weekend that I realized how off-balance I’d become. Proverbs 23:4 felt like it was written for me.”
— Every burnt-out leader ever
You don’t have to reach rock bottom to realize rest is essential. You just have to pay attention when wisdom whispers.
Let’s be real: you can always do more. That to-do list is like a hydra—cut off one head, two more pop up. But just because you can do more doesn’t mean you should.
What Proverbs is really saying is this:
Know your limits. Guard your peace. Schedule your Sabbath.
Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or showing up for your family—rest fuels the mission. The grind doesn’t.
Burnout isn’t a flex. It’s a red flag. The real wealth? Clarity. Peace. Longevity. And guess what fuels those things?
Intentional rest.
Divine wisdom.
Boundaries that actually mean something.
So the next time you’re tempted to chase one more task, just remember—Proverbs 23:4 is basically God’s way of saying, “Breathe. It’s okay to stop.”
Contact Epoch Tech Solutions today for a free consultation on building smarter, healthier systems for your business.
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