Labor Day weekend is here. For many Americans, this is a time to relax – a time to take a break from normal work, and enjoy leisure – fun, food, and family. In many respects, Labor Day is a preview of retirement. One can easily think, “I worked for it, I earned it, and now it’s time to enjoy it.”

But Jesus warns us that hard work and material success are not enough. In fact, Jesus plainly says that work and profit, if separated from divine intent, can destroy the life and soul of the worker. In John 6:27, Jesus says, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.”

Jesus also tells the parable of a rich farmer. After numerous successful harvests, this man decides that he is going to build bigger barns and invest the gain in himself. He stores up for himself for many years, telling himself, “O soul, you’ve done well for yourself. Now eat, drink, and be merry!” In other words, “Self, you deserve it!” But God says to him, “You fool! This very night you will give account for your soul.” Jesus brings the point home, asking us this riveting question: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses his own soul?”

Friends, hard work and consequent prosperity can dull the soul to the voice of God. Hard work, if unhinged from God’s will, with self as the focus of the gain, is simply a hard idol. It is something to consider on Labor Day, that work – and especially the surround sound echoes of material success – can kill a soul as surely as alcohol, drug, or sex addictions.

Frances de Sales gives a parable of people traveling through a dangerous forest: “Several travelers, about noon on a certain summer day, reclined to sleep in the shade of a tree. The sun rose above them in zenith splendor, sending its powerful light to their eyes. The light and heat forced them to wake up. Some of them, on waking, gladly went their way to home; but others did not get up; they turned their back on the sun, and put their hat over their eyes, and spent the day in sleeping. When sun set, they were caught by night, and lost – exposed to wolves, boars, and other wild animals.

Frances goes on to say, “All humans are travelers in this mortal life who have fallen asleep in iniquity. And God, the Sun of justice sends over all, sufficiently and abundantly, the rays of inspirations. How does it happen that these divine rays attract so few? Those who have slept in sin have no reason to complain except against themselves – who have despised and rebelled against the light.” Selah.

Friends, this Labor Day, please consider your soul: Are you inwardly snoozing, dulled by the illusion of success: work and wealth, and replacement idols of self and family comfort? Allow the Spirit of God to examine your soul, revealing the very motivation and lifestyle of your labor. Turn the work of your hand back to God, living for His glory, in saving relation with Him. Hear the words of Christ and be revived: “Labor not for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life,” which only Christ Jesus can give you. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well. Alleluia!