Good question.
I work to make my life better.
If, at some point, there becomes little correlation between how hard I work and the quality of my life, then I'll probably stop doing so.
I'm in the same boat. I work pretty hard, I keep no debt other than a car loan (and whatever adds up on the credit card before I pay it off at the end of the month), I save what I can, I invest, I also kick into my 401K. Why? I want to own a house, live a comfy life and not have to worry about being able to keep food on the table. I don't really consider the "self worth" aspect of having a job, because that's just what you do. You're either working, or learning how to work better.
I really can't imagine living just for today, with no job, career or goal. Living on the dole, for an extremely extended period voluntarily, is just something I couldn't do. You might be surviving, but you're not moving forward. What's the point to life if you're just doing... nothing?
I never really considered not working hard, because... Well, that's just what you do. I suppose I might be in for a very rude surprise some day if I look up and see what I'm not getting a decent return on hard work. If I was being taxed at some insane rate (say, 80% or 90% total), I'd stop. I'd work enough to live and barter for my wants. I'm a slave to no one, nor will I ever accept slavery. I'm not trying to make some dramatic gesture, I just don't see the logical point in it.
