"Karoshi"

A store manager with hamburger chain McDonald's in Yokohama, Japan who died of a brain haemorrhage was a victim of karoshi or death by overwork. The woman had done more than 80 hours of overtime on average per month for the six months before she collapsed in October 2007 during a training programme at a different store. She died in hospital three days later, said an official at the Kanagawa Labour Bureau. [The Star dated 29-10-2009]

Much of our living is spent acquiring and using money, which doesn't last. The temporary nature of material wealth makes it a poor bargain in the search for security in an insecure world. The Bible does not say it's wrong to have money or the things that money can buy. Where we lose our way is when money becomes the driving purpose of our lives. Like the rich man and his barns [Luke 12 : 13-21], we end up pursuing the accumulation of things that eventually will be forfeited - if not in life, then certainly at death.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Proverbs 23:4

Treasures in heaven are laid up as treasures on earth are laid down