It is wise for every person who works to consider how their worldview – their ultimate view of reality – informs the work they do and the way they do it. Any activity you undertake that requires systematic effort, with the goal of achieving some result, can be considered work, whether this is “typical” vocational work, being a stay-at-home parent, or anything else. Regardless of the work itself, your ultimate view of the world should influence the mental framework with which you approach your tasks.
Since there are some common rewards and challenges to all forms of work, there can be productive dialogue about work itself, without an overt emphasis on a particular field of work. The book recommended below, Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller, is one such resource that focuses on how our work efforts relate to the Christian faith and God’s ultimate plan for the world and its inhabitants.
Resources specific to a particular field or work situation can also be helpful. For example, the primary portion of my job as a professor is to contribute to science, the body of knowledge of the physical world. As such, understanding how my Christian faith relates to science helps me have a cohesive mental framework with which to approach my work. I am employed at a university, so understanding unique opportunities and challenges of being a Christian in academia is another way I can integrate my faith and work.
Below is the single resource I most strongly recommend for all Christians who would like to explore how their faith informs their work. For those in vocational work similar to mine, I also have pages of resources on the topics of faith and science and faith and academia.
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work (book by Timothy Keller). Besides the Bible itself, Every Good Endeavor is probably the non-fiction book I have re-read the most in my life. In it, Timothy Keller presents his view of a Biblical understanding of work. The book is broken down into three main sections: God’s Plan for Work, Our Problems with Work, and The Gospel and Work. I have read this book at least once at each major educational and career stage of my life, ranging from an undergraduate student wrestling with vocational pursuits to a tenured professor and father of three figuring out the next frontier. Each time I read this book, I have a deeper appreciation for the importance of God’s design for our daily tasks in work and life. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for those who want to capture a Biblical view of work.
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.