The Bible praises diligence in hard work and condemns laziness.

But is there such a thing as working too hard?

That is to say, can you turn your work into a kind of idol that replaces God?

In recent days, the tech boom in Silicon Valley has given birth to a kind of hustle culture.

And my question is, is hustle culture compatible with Christianity?

So what is hustle culture?

Hustle culture is a workplace mindset that prioritizes work above all else,

often at the expense of an employee's health and well-being.

It's characterized by the idea that working long hours and sacrificing personal time is the only

way to achieve success. Now, what's so tempting about hustle culture is that it can actually

really be rewarding. If you work hard and you put in the hours,

generally you will get ahead. The question is, at what cost? Are you sacrificing your health

or your family or your God on the altar of success? I hardly go to church because I just have to

get this project done, or I can't disciple my kids because work doesn't allow me to be a parent.

At some point, you need to consider whether your priorities are properly ordered.

One of the problems of hustle culture is that it makes work the ultimate priority.

Now, let me just say, I get that sometimes work can be demanding.

I was raised by a single mother who had hustle in order to provide for me and my siblings. You might feel like you're stuck

in a demanding job and you're doing everything you can to provide for your loved ones,

even at the cost of your own health. I don't condemn you one bit. That's just the reality sometimes.

And so I want to say,

may God bless you and provide for all of your needs. May he give you rest. But there is a kind of work idolatry that chooses to neglect God and family for the sake of personal advancement. And

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