Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work

Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work In my Southern Baptist circles, I often hear too often "Not enough men go into ministry," or "preaching is the highest form of worship," or "I could do so much more for the Lord as a full-time minister." I believe this often creates guilt among laypeople and sets up a class divide-- either you're "really spiritual" or you're part of "the world." Keller argues that these types of statements lack a proper understanding of a theology of work. This book is a wonderful primer into theology of work, including praxeology. Keller cites from many sources, the bibliography is rich and helpful. Redeemer Presbyterian has a Center for Faith and Work that seeks to equip individuals in all work spheres with tools to develop a biblical worldview, inspire creative and Gospel-soaked behavior, and help entrepreneurs both start new ventures and revitalize current ones with a view to the Gospel. Keller's thinking is along the same lines as A.W. Tozer and others before him who saw everything we do as Christians being a reflection of God's work in us, and a way to worship and glorify Him. "If the God of the Bible exists, and there is a True Reality beneath and behind this one, and this life is not the only life, then every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God’s calling, can matter forever." Keller notes that the attitude of an actively working God, and a God who created a world that needs work (Genesis 1) which He has appointed us to do for His glory, sets Christianity apart from other religions and philosophies. Unfortunately, the Greek concept of work as a necessary evil to be avoided is what has permeated Church culture, particularly Catholic doctrines, until relatively recently. "In the beginning, then, God worked. Work was not a necessary evil that came into the picture later, or something human beings were created to do but that was beneath the great God himself. No, God worked for the sheer joy of it. Work could not have a more exalted inauguration." Keller tears down the false dichotomy of "secular" and "sacred:" "No task is too small a vessel to hold the immense dignity of work given by God. Simple physical labor is God’s work no less than the formulation of theological truth... “Secular” work has no less dignity and nobility than the “sacred” work of ministry...No everyday work lacks the dignity of being patterned after God’s own work" (emphasis mine). Keller does not cite A.W. Tozer, but I find my favorite Tozer quote from The Pursuit of God applicable here: "Paul's sewing of tents was not equal to his writing an Epistle to the Romans, but both were accepted of God and both were true acts of worship. Certainly it is more important to lead a soul to Christ than to plant a garden, but the planting of the garden can be as holy an act as the winning of a soul... "The “layman” need never think of his humbler task as being inferior to that of his minister. Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry." One beautiful allegory Keller often refers to is Tolkein's short story Leaf by Niggle. We should view whatever work we do here as having echoes in eternity.When Paul exhorts his followers that they should remain in the work God "has assigned to him, and to which God has called him," "Paul is not referring in this case to church ministries, but to common social and economic tasks—'secular jobs,' we might say—and naming them God’s callings and assignments." Keller looks at how man is called to "subdue" the earth in Genesis, and how the Hebrew used to describe God's work in creation is the same as that used repeatedly for ordinary human work. God's call to "subdue" doesn't give a license for exploitation, but rather cultivation and invention-- to call forth things from the earth and bring order to chaos as God did with the universe. That is what we do as entrepreneurs and technicians. "Your daily work is ultimately an act of worship to the God who called and equipped you to do it—no matter what kind of work it is." It's helpful to draw on earlier church sources for help in developing a theology of work, but Keller doesn't spend much time looking at various debates. He notes that Catholicism over the centuries has evolved from having the Greek view of work to now being more in line evangelicism in work being a way we can be the "fingers of God," as Luther put it. "It means that all jobs—not merely so-called helping professions—are fundamentally ways of loving your neighbor. Christians do not have to do direct ministry or nonprofit charitable work in order to love others through their jobs." Keller and others argue that the Christian worldview is distinct among other belief systems in its approach to work. I found the chapters on "common grace" quite helpful-- we are all made in God's image and therefore many non-Christians will have amazing talents, creativity, senses of justice, and be among the best in their field. We should learn from them, but understand that what those people are missing is an avenue for greater glorifying their Creator. Similarly, because of sin all work Christians do-- whether ministry in the church or at the workplace-- will be tainted with sin. That's where redemptive grace comes in, we recognize that all work needs to be redeemed through Jesus. Work, status, money, etc. can all become idols. But so can family, ministry, knowledge, etc. This definition of "idol" really rocked me: "Now, if anything is our 'salvation' we must have it, and so we treat it as nonnegotiable. If circumstances threaten to take it away, we are paralyzed with uncontrollable fear; if something or someone has taken it away, we burn with anger and struggle with a sense of despair." Anything that is a "non-negotiable" to me-- that isn't Jesus-- is an idol. That's powerful. The Gospel frees us to work without fear of status or failure. Keller notes that too often our society, and our churches, look down on people who are "underemployed," not understanding that all work is worship and valuable and by fulfilling God's calling on our lives. Maybe I'm better equipped and called to be a $30,000/year teacher even though I could easily be a $250,000/year investment banker. And one job is not morally superior to another. How this plays out in reality is the focus of much of this book, and Keller offers up many stories from Redeemer congregants. He rightly combats the "dualism" often much too present among Christian thought: "Dualism leads some to think that if their work is to please Christ, it must be done overtly in his name. Or they must let everyone know that they lead Bible studies in the office in the morning before work hours...The integration of faith and work is the opposite of dualism." If you're a carpenter, the best way you can serve God and love others is to make great tables...! There's an opposite dualism that's also problematic: "Christians think of themselves as Christians only within church activity." Christians need help in understanding that worship is a 24/7 thing. "To be a Christian in business, then, means much more than just being honest or not sleeping with your coworkers. It even means more than personal evangelism or holding a Bible study at the office. Rather, it means thinking out the implications of the gospel worldview and God’s purposes for your whole work life—and for the whole of the organization under your influence" That's where the Center for Work comes into play, there are small groups of professionals bouncing ideas and ethical dilemmas off one another for wisdom and accountability-- that's how church should be done! I found this work encouraging and would recommend it to all business students and faculty, as well as pastors and factory workers-- ie: everyone. Five stars.

Tim Keller has given us another excellent resource. In my 40 years of ministry I have done lots of things, one of those was operate the Job Training Program for an inner city ministry. We had a ten week Theology of Work (written by Dr. Keith Phillips) course that we took our young people through and then helped them to find good employment opportunities. Until now I have not found a book on the Theology of work that I felt did an adequate job with the subject. Keller's book handles it well, documents the Biblical principles and gives a good practical application for all that he is discussing. Do you feel as though you have a "job" or a "calling"? That is one of the questions asked by Keller. Most of the time people think of a "calling" as being something a Pastor / missionary / professional Christian worker has from God. But Keller does a great job of reminding us that God put work in place as something for all of us, and it is a "GOOD" thing. Thus we are all "called" by God to do our work in a way that pleases Him and brings honor and glory to His name. God gives each of us talent and intellect. He gives each of us a "calling" to the work that we do. As such we need to be asking other questions such as, how can I bring honor and glory to God through my daily work? How can I share God with others through my daily work? How will my attitude at work actually be a positive witness to others about my walk with God. Keller's book is wonderful. It would be a great book for small groups to read together and then discuss. I would recommend that it would even be a great book for you to read, place on your desk at work and see if it will generate discussions with co-workers about your belief that God gave us work as a "good" think not as a punishment. I believe everyone will benefit from this book. Enjoy!

An insightful account of how work and faith can be integrated for both kingdom impact and fulfilment of the call to work. Recommended for everyone who wants to have a kingdom impact in their vocation.

Great book. Lovely to read

The book is fascinating. I highly recommend it for those, who like me, are seeking powerful resources on how to walk out a gospel-centered vocation at the workplace.

Este Titulo me ayuda a confirmar que tengo una misión que cumplir dada por DIOS, que no es impuesta sino que se me ha invitado a contribuir al proyecto grandioso que aun está en marcha y que por supuesto será culminado. Este trabajo no es para nada fácil y aunque aún no tengo claro el panorama, me contento con las tareas y actividades que mi SEÑOR me va encomendando, teniendo presente que mi ayudador el ESPÍRITU SANTO me va guiando en el camino. Todo sea para gloria de DIOS PADRE, HIJO y ESPÍRITU SANTO.

It has changed my perspective on work

As a Christian member in small, suburban church, I have witnessed a gradual transition over the last couple of decades to what is basically a dualistic view of life and faith. In this view, there is a difference between what is required for basic, everyday life - paying the bills, putting food on the table and supporting your family, giving to others, etc. and the sacred professions: preaching in church, being a missionary or otherwise evangelizing others, or being involved in formal "ministry" work in one way or another. Sometimes, this dualism has pervaded into how we should think about our children's schools (should they go to the "good" Christian school or the "secular" public, local school?) or summer camps or how to counsel young adults in their reflexions on future professions. The dualism is sometimes painful for those who make the "wrong" choices - those who believe that Christians ought to be in the world, struggling with right and wrong in their daily lives and in those of their non-christian friends, and not necessarily isolated in their specific institutions. In this book, Tim Keller addresses these questions by describing, in very readable terms, the traditional reformed perspectives on work, faith and life. The book reminds us that the distinction between secular and sacred work is, in fact, not described in scripture, not in the terms in which it is presently lived out by many. The idea of work as a good and pleasing human activity, perhaps what we were meant for in the beginning, is brought out beautifully, as is a description of how work, after the fall, can become a slave driver or an idol of sorts, where all focus can be lost to lower objectives, which become overly crucial. Keller addresses the issues of general, common Grace and how non-christians are often engaging in the will of God, and how Christians may sometimes be missing the point - not that this is always the case, but rather that a dualistic view of Faith and Work, may lead us to think that the result of work depends on our faith, an idea that is not supported by scripture. Cases in point are brought out - Daniel, Esther, Joseph and others who lived in non-believing environments, accomplished what many would consider "secular" work, but whose results were touched by God and clearly accomplished the will of God. The suggestion is that our prayer and hope should be that our work also be touched by God in similar ways. Life is complete. Life is integrated. Everything we do has spiritual and secular implications personally, for those close to us and for our communities. This is not an eastern idea, it emerges from an understanding of scripture. And it is one of the clear messages of this book - no matter who you are, think of what you do, confide it to God. Sometimes repentance and changes in direction are called for - the book certainly does not say that all work is "holy". Rather, it is a call to see that much work and work in many disciplines are in the service of God and of greater purposes. God has worked with carpenters, slaves, teenagers and the elderly, doctors, prostitutes, reprehensible tax collectors and soldiers - all have something to bring to the table. All can confide in God, choose a noble task, change their heart and accomplish what they do for the Greater good.