WORSHIPING WORK

WORSHIPING WORK

“Karoshi” is a Japanese word which means "death from overwork."

This condition is noted in Japan that many working people are said to have died from this malaise. The Japanese government's Labor Ministry has been forced to provide compensation to the families of the so called  “karoshi” victims who sadly died of overwork.  

Why would a man force himself to work until he drops dead?

This is very strange indeed. Many are obsessed with work.

I know of a man who gets the blues when weekends or holidays come. He couldn’t bear to be away from his desk for too long. He feels guilty that he’s not doing anything. He is a hard driver. He drives the personnel under him to  maximum overdrive, and squeezes them to optimum performance. Nobody likes him in the office. He’s often wired, and wants immediate results. He’s a great guy,  in the eyes of his employer, who rakes in the profits. But he’s miserable, unhappy, and everyday he looks worn-out. I haven’t even seen him smile in months.

Now a man like this is a sure candidate for this affliction. Worst he's contagious and likely to spread this “Karoshi” malaise to his subordinates.   Working with this man is hazardous.  

There is no question that work is essential to sustain life. Scripture tells us that work is ordained by God.

In the process of creation God worked as the prime mover of all creation (Genesis 1:1-15).God worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. The first and the most marvelous work ever done is recorded in Genesis.

The God of creation is a working God. (Genesis 1:31 )

God was pleased by the fruit of His labor, He called it “very good.”(Genesis 1:31). Work  should therefore be viewed as something good,  not a drudgery. Man should find fulfillment in his work, as he applies himself to productive pursuits, and enjoy a period of rest to be recharged, and work again.    

Work in the Biblical context has been considered good and essential activity which would fulfill, satisfy, and sustain man’s life on earth. The imperative of work, however, is balanced by the necessity of finding rest. God ordained rest, as much as work. A day of rest is set aside, for man to cease from his labors so he could pause, worship, and remember to be grateful to his Creator from whom proceeds all good gifts.    

St. Paul aptly taught of the significance of work in Thessalonians 3:10-12:

"If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their own work quietly and to earn their own living."

These are clearly positive declarations which affirm the value and importance of productive labor. Indolence is frowned upon, and its consequence is hunger and want.

The “Karoshi” syndrome is simply taking the value of work to the uttermost extreme. When man starts to worship his work, it becomes an end in itself. Work becomes a curse. When a person could find no meaning and significance in anything else except in his work,  that he would even be willing to practically sacrifice everything for the sake of his work or drop dead of overwork, then work becomes an idol, a false god that is vainly worshipped.    

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