Hard work or Hard labour?
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” they say.
Well, I say all work and no play doesn’t necessarily make a dull boy, but a tired one. There are students who are full-time hustlers, juggling businesses and remote jobs with the desire to graduate with flying colours. White-collar workers with blue-collar part-time gigs and remote jobs. In these times, “arise and shine” has become “arise and grind,” even when it comes at the cost of dulling your shine. This writer would never be a propagator of whiling away time and not having something and a purpose to which one dedicates himself. After all, “Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with all thy might…” (Eccl. 9:10-11).
As much as diligence is a badge of honour, don’t glorify the hustle and forget the place of rest.
What the Hustle Culture Looks Like
At first glance, the hustle culture looks inspiring. It shows that we’re not a lazy generation; that we encourage ambition, discipline, and persistence. After all: “Do you see a man diligent in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men” (Proverbs 22:29). Hard work is important, and God honours it.
The danger of hustle culture is not that it encourages us to work hard, but that worth is perceived only in terms of how much we can produce. Slowly, we forget that God created us as human beings, not machines, and there is only so much we can do.
The constant chase to work without rest has the hidden cost of burnout and exhaustion, as well as neglect of relationships and loss of spiritual focus, among others. The greatest danger is subtle: pushing God out of the picture. Instead of trusting Him to establish the work of your hands (Psalm 127:1), you start to believe that everything depends solely on you. Hustle culture, if unchecked, may make us rich in possessions but poor in peace.
Rest is biblical.
How do I know?
“…even God rested,” a common phrase among youths when addressing someone who is working or doing too much, illustrates God’s model of work and rest. In Genesis 1, He created the heavens and the earth for six days, then rested on the seventh. Did God need the rest? With Him being an all-powerful being needing no rest? Definitely not. But He did this to set an example for us. In the same vein, the Sabbath was a divine reminder that life is more than constant activity. Even Jesus demonstrated this balance as He regularly withdrew to pray and recharge.
Rest is not laziness.
Rest is a reminder of our dependence on God. Sometimes, creativity and clarity come not when you work but when you step back, pray, and allow your mind to breathe. Taking breaks gives you time to interact and connect more with family, friends, and community, which are part of God’s blessings. Most importantly, rest keeps you healthy. Stress and overwork contribute to sickness, anxiety, and even depression. God cares about your wholeness — spirit, soul, and body.
God cares about your work-life balance. (3 John 1:2)
The verse above encapsulates God’s will for you. He wants you to prosper, but He also wants you to be in health.
How can we do this? By setting boundaries!
You can’t do everything. Carve out intentional time to rest, worship, and recharge. Make it a non-negotiable appointment with God and with yourself. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
The hustle culture becomes dangerous when it leaves no room for rest, relationships, or reliance on God. Work hard, but let God guide your efforts.
Rest should not be an escape from responsibility but an act of faith that God is the true sustainer of your success.
So, chase your dreams and work hard, but child of God, never forget to pause, breathe, and rest.
Thank you for sharing this timely piece.