As readers in the US celebrate Labor Day, the main activities of the day may be a final dip in the pool or a backyard barbecue.

However, what better time than Labor Day could there be for giving thought to enhancing our biblical understanding of labor? Today, we present five excellent books that M3 Weekly has reviewed in the last two years, each giving a slightly different perspective on the biblical gift of work. Why not commit to reading one of these books in the month of September?

• Workship: Recalibrate Work and Worship by Patrick Lai (Reviewed January 17, 2022). A pioneer and long-time leader in the world of business-as-mission, Lai dives into the original Hebrew and Greek of the Scriptures to give a fresh perspective on how work and worship integrate in the plan of God.
• Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer (Reviewed May 3, 2022). Comer’s exposition spans the biblical narrative from the garden of Eden all the way to the new heavens and the new earth. This deep but accessible book provides a rich exploration of not just the sacredness of work, but the calling to Sabbath and rest as well.
• The Entrepreneurial God: A Study Guide by Donald McGilchrist – a four-part Bible Study (Reviewed January 11, 2023). McGilchrist leads the reader through an study of the scriptures to discover how an entrepreneur’s true foundation for creating is the nature of God as the master creator. The Entrepreneurial God weaves together McGilchrist’s insights, scriptural passages, and open-ended reflection questions in a format perfect for group study.
• Called to Create: A Biblical Invitation to Create, Innovate, and Risk, by Jordan Raynor (Reviewed June 28, 2023). Raynor’s book is a well-balanced blend of biblical foundations, conceptual exposition, and many applicable stories that guide the reader to a deeper understanding and more faithful practice of Christian entrepreneurship.
• Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller (Reviewed August 31, 2023). Every Good Endeavor is a masterful book on the topic of the intersection of Christian faith and work. The authors expound upon the glory and goodness of work as God originally created it, the many ways that sin has distorted our relationship with work, and the impact a biblical worldview can have on our work endeavors.

Finally, can you think of someone who might be encouraged by one of these books, and by the topics covered in the M3 Weekly? Use the “Share” button below to forward this post and help spread a vision to glorify God through the work we do and the enterprises we lead.

Verse(s) of the Week:

As many of us rest today, let’s remember that God blessed his image-bearers and gave them work to do. May God grant us the grace to see the work he has given from his perspective.