What does the Bible say about being too busy?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Luke 10:38-42

  [38] It happened as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. [40] But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me." [41] Jesus answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, [42] but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her."

• Matthew 11:28

  "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

• Romans 12:2

  Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

• Matthew 11:28-30

  [28] "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

• 1 John 2:17

  The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.

• Proverbs 23:4

  Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint.

• Psalms 37:5

  Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

  [1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under 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; [4] A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; [5] A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; [6] A time to seek, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to cast away; [7] A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; [8] A time to love, And a time to hate; A time for war, And a time for peace. [9] What profit has he who works in that in which he labors? [10] I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. [11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can't find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end. [12] I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live. [13] Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. [14] I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him. [15] That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away. [16] Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. [17] I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work." [18] I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals. [19] For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity. [20] All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. [21] Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?" [22] Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

• Psalms 46:10

  "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."

• Philippians 3:13-14

  [13] Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

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