A man eats dinner at his desk for the third night that week and tells himself this is what success costs. Most people believe that wealth must be bought with sleepless nights and declining health. They accept "painful toil" as the entry fee for prosperity.

The Bible offers a different mechanism. It speaks of a blessing that "makes rich" without adding the sorrow of grinding labor.

The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

In Hebrew, "sorrow" refers to painful, excruciating toil. This does not mean you do not work. Even a bodybuilder exerts effort, but there is a difference between the healthy burn of exercise and the sharp pain of an injury.

God’s way of flourishing involves labor, but it lacks the "breathlessness" and "acute pain" of worldly stress. You can increase your bank account without losing your sleep or your health. If a financial gain requires you to sacrifice your peace of mind, it isn't the blessing of God (barak, בָּרַךְ).

Productivity is a fruit; stress is a tax.