Proverbs 23:4-5 says: 

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye, wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.”

Lately, I have been reading the book of Proverbs, and when I came across this verse, I found myself reading it over and over again. I began to ponder and deeply reflect on its meaning. Aren’t we taught in the same book of Proverbs to work hard for wealth, and that riches are not for the lazy? So, what does this really mean? Every day, people go out to work, and many are creating multiple sources of income. People work overnight, trying to meet deadlines or bring forth new ideas and strategies, pouring time and effort into their tasks. While I’m still absorbing this lesson, I’d like to share some thoughts—not just mine, but what the Word is saying.

There are downsides to exhausting yourself with work, and I’ll point out a few. The excessive desire for something, especially money, often leads to an even greater thirst for it. As humans, we tend to always want more, which can result in greed and selfishness. This can come at the cost of others, including your loved ones and even yourself. Once this drive brings you the riches you seek, pride often follows, blinding you to how you spend. Since money is like a seed, if it’s not sown on fertile ground, it’s lost. Wealth can also fuel a lifestyle that feeds your ego and inflates your pride, as money has a funny way of creeping into one’s head.

Another downside is losing balance in life. Many people recognize poverty as something to avoid, myself included, and they become so immersed in their work that they lose sight of their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being, as well as their relationships. They become masters at their jobs but fail in other areas of their lives—sometimes to the detriment of their health and family. What is the point of making money if you can’t even take a vacation to unwind, relax, and refresh yourself? Some people lose good friends and valuable relationships in their pursuit of wealth. I’m not referring to friends who don’t share your vision or are content with mediocrity. I’m talking about friends who share your values but may walk away due to your arrogant or self-absorbed behavior. Money can get into your head, making you blind to the value of true friendships. It’s often only when a crisis hits that you realize how important those people were.