Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
In this passage of scripture, Christ showed His disciples that work must be balanced with ample time for rest. Even in the preaching of the gospel which they were commissioned to do, they were not to wear themselves down to the point where their labors would need to be cut short on account of their bodies being run down. The principle of temperance should be applied in all of our planning and consequent actions so that we can run with an even and steady tread over the long haul, without suffering any unnecessary adverse health problems.
God has promised to provide us with work to do with our hands and minds, and He also provides the wherewithal and the opportunities to prosper. Let's read:
Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
However we should always keep in mind that it is never the will of God that we chase after His temporal blessings to the point where our health is compromised, for then, what was supposed to be a blessing could turn into something negative, if the wrong approach is adopted. Excessive labor should be avoided as much as possible, for our bodies require adequate time to repair itself, and this process mainly takes place when we are asleep. Thus it is of critical importance that in our busy schedules, we make allowance for several hours of restful sleep, so that we can be rejuvenated to take up the challenges of another new day.
Six to eight hours of good sleep are necessary for most of us to recuperate, and it is much more preferable if it can be done at nights, as opposed to during the day. Jesus alluded to this in a secondary manner when He made the following statement. Let's read:
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Again, in the parable of the laborers, the master of the vineyard went out at the sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours, which means that the last set of laborers were hired at about 5:pm, and they only worked for one hour, which means that by 6:pm they were finished working. Now even though this was a parable and must not be pressed to a literal interpretation as far as time is concerned, yet we must also be aware that there is a time for everything as the Bible clearly states. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up.
Note well that in verse three it mentions "A time to heal; a time to break down". When we are doing manual labor, exercising, or otherwise working, that's the time when our cells "break down " or suffer wear and tear. "The time to heal" takes place during restful sleep. It is therefore important that we practice temperance in working so that we can have sufficient time for the healing process to take place.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that reminds us that God's desire for us is that we should live life to the fullest and in the best of health, for by doing this we can render to Him the very best of service for many years. Let's read:
3rd John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
May this desire of God for us be fulfilled in our lives from now on. God bless!