Connecting Your Work to God’s Work
Every Good Endeavor
"Every Good Endeavor" by Timothy Keller is a profound exploration of the intersection between faith and work. Keller, a pastor and theologian, seeks to address the question of how Christians can find meaning, fulfillment, and purpose in their professional lives.
Video Explanations:
A 27 minute explanation of Every Good Endeavor.
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Book Summary:
The book begins by examining the biblical understanding of work, drawing from passages in both the Old and New Testaments. Keller argues that work is not merely a means of earning a living but is inherently valuable and meaningful, reflecting God's creative and redemptive purposes. He emphasizes the idea that all legitimate work has dignity and worth, regardless of its perceived status or significance.
Keller then delves into the challenges and complexities that individuals encounter in the workplace, including issues such as competition, ambition, and the pursuit of success. He offers insights from scripture and Christian tradition to guide readers in navigating these challenges with integrity, humility, and a focus on serving others.
Throughout the book, Keller explores various themes related to work, such as vocation, calling, and the relationship between faith and culture. He argues that Christians are called to be salt and light in the world, bringing their values and beliefs into their professional spheres and seeking the flourishing of society as a whole.
One of the central ideas in "Every Good Endeavor" is the concept of integration—bringing together one's faith and work in a cohesive and harmonious way. Keller contends that rather than compartmentalizing their lives, Christians should strive to integrate their beliefs into every aspect of their work, allowing their faith to inform their decisions, actions, and relationships.
Additionally, Keller addresses practical questions related to work, such as finding the right job, dealing with difficult colleagues, and balancing work and family responsibilities. He provides practical advice and wisdom grounded in biblical principles, encouraging readers to approach their work with diligence, excellence, and a sense of stewardship.
Ultimately, "Every Good Endeavor" offers a compelling vision of work as a means of glorifying God, serving others, and participating in the ongoing work of redemption in the world. Keller challenges readers to view their vocations as opportunities to live out their faith authentically and make a positive impact in their spheres of influence.
Book Quotes:
“Our work can be a calling only if it is reimagined as a mission of service to something beyond merely our own interests. As we shall see, thinking of work mainly as a means of self-fulfillment and self-realization slowly crushes a person and undermines society itself.”
“In this book we will do what we can to help illuminate the transformative and revolutionary connection between Christian faith and the workplace. We’ll be referring to this connection-and all the ideas and practices surrounding it-as the “integration of faith and work.”
“So if you are a Christian who is trying to be faithful in your work, you might find yourself trying to weigh sentiments as varied as these:
The way to serve God at work is to further social justice in the world.
The way to serve God at work is to be personally honest and evangelize your colleagues.
The way to serve God at work is just to do skillful, excellent work.
The way to serve God at work is to create beauty.
The way to serve God at work is to work from a Christian motivation to glorify God, seeking to engage and influence culture to that end.
The way to serve God at work is to work with a grateful, joyful, gospel-changed heart through all the ups and downs.
The way to serve God at work is to do whatever gives you the most joy and passion.
The way to serve God at work is to make as much money as you can, so that you be as generous as you can.”
“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.”
“Whatever you are seeking in your work-the city of justice and peace, the world of brilliance and beauty, the story, the order, the healing, it is there. There is a God, there is a future healed world that he will bring about, and your work is showing it (in part) to others. Your work will only be partially successful, on your best days, in bringing that world about. But inevitably the whole tree that you seek-the beauty, harmony, justice, comfort, joy, and community-will come to fruition.
“It is perfectly clear that God’s good plan always included human beings working, or more specifically, living in the constant cycle of work and rest.”
“So the commandments of God in the Bible are a means of liberation, because through them God calls us to be what he built us to be.”
“Work-and lots of it- is an indispensable component in a meaningful human life. It is a supreme gift from God and one of the main things that gives our life purpose. But it must play its proper role, subservient to God. It must regularly give way not just to work stoppage for bodily repair but also to joyful reception of the world and of ordinary life.”
“As we have seen in the earlier chapters, especially in the teaching of Martin Luther, God’s loving care comes to us largely through the labor of others.”
“If we can experience gospel-rest in our hearts, if we can be free from the need to earn our salvation through our work, we will have a deep reservoir of refreshment that continually rejuvenates us, restores our perspective, and renews our passion.”