The reason I asked is because these stories have all already been spun. And if you’re talking to someone who knows more than you do about the stories or verses in question, you’re not going to be convincing and the story could have context that is against your point.
But without context, I’d say that the required breaks from working (sabbath, jubilee, etc.) are your best argument for God not wanting people to work themselves to death.
According to the Talmud, yes indeedy. They go into a lot of detail, too (iirc).
The Talmud actually says that, aside from the 48 men and 7 women recorded in the Bible as prophets, there were six hundred thousand Israelite prophets, male and female, who just didn’t get their stuff written down.
What does everybody want with “context”? The point is a story in favor of slacking, and I am looking for Bible stories I can mention that seem to support it. There is no larger context. And thanks, but I already got the Sabbath thing from the Commandments.
The Prodigal Son has it much better than the son who works his ass off.
Well there’s the “Consider the lilies of the God damn field” bit in the Sermon on the Mount. Check out Matthew 6:25-34 or Luke 12:16-32.
There’s also the parable of the laborers in the vineyard in Matthew 20. It’s not about slacking off per se, but it suggests that you shouldn’t expect any more for working hard.
God told Saul to stop persecuting Christians. And to eat pork (maybe that wasn’t Saul).
Whoops, Northern Piper’s already mentioned it. Wasn’t his name still Saul at that time?
These are actually some of the very best examples you’ll find. Can’t believe I didn’t think of 'em myself.
Just in general, Jesus really wasn’t into that whole stern Protestant work ethic thing. That came later.
The pork thing was to Peter in a vision (but also in the book of Acts).
G-d stopped both Pharaoh and Abimelech from sleeping with Sarah when they thought she was merely Abraham’s sister, in Genesis 12 and 20, respectively.