A Scriptural Guide for this Crucial Exploration

If you are reading this article in the U.S., you probably returned to work today after celebrating Labor Day yesterday. With the national celebration of workers fresh in our minds, it’s a good moment to reflect on the critical importance of developing a biblical view of work.

While developing this perspective is important for all followers of Jesus, it’s especially critical for those called to lead enterprises for God’s glory. To that end, we bring an excellent resource to your attention today.

The Meaning of Work: A Practical Theology of Work and Rest, by Donald McGilchrist is an excellent, in-depth biblical study of the topic of work. McGilchrist takes the reader through the grand sweep of biblical teaching on work, exploring both the scriptural text and the writings of biblical scholars. The study is divided into 38 short mini-studies divided into five major sections:

1. The Purpose and Nature of Work
2. The Great Tragedy
3. Restoring Work and the Worker
4. Work as Service
5. Rest and Recreation

Each mini-study takes the reader through several scriptures interspersed with insights and quotes from other writers on the topic. This is followed by several reflection and discussion questions which press the reader to think deeply and apply the insights personally.

The Meaning of Work is a perfect resource for a group of people interested in discovering a biblical theology of work together. There are many excellent books on this topic, but the strength of this unique resource is the way it takes the reader through an inductive study of large portions of the scriptures in a systematic way.

For readers who are interested in a book on a biblical theology of work, but might feel like an in-depth study like The Meaning of Work is biting off more than they can chew, we highly recommend the following resources:

• Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf (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.
• 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.

Verse of the Week:

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Genesis 1:31 (NIV)

Let’s consider what steps we can take this week to help ourselves and others grow toward viewing work and rest as God intended.