[0D0]⋙ Read Every Good Endeavor Connecting Your Work to God Work Timothy Keller Katherine Leary Alsdorf 9780525952701 Books

Every Good Endeavor Connecting Your Work to God Work Timothy Keller Katherine Leary Alsdorf 9780525952701 Books

Download As PDF : Every Good Endeavor Connecting Your Work to God Work Timothy Keller Katherine Leary Alsdorf 9780525952701 Books

Every Good Endeavor Connecting Your Work to God Work Timothy Keller Katherine Leary Alsdorf 9780525952701 Books

My Rating - Put it on your list

Level - Easy read, medium length

Summary
This is another book that is hard to summarize with just repeating the title or copy/pasting the table of contents. I guess the title isn't super clear, it comes from a quote that he opens the book with. Basically asking, 'God give us strength in every good endeavor', so, to prosper and do well and any work or vocation we choose.

The book is broken into three main parts - God's plan for work, our problems with work, and the Gospel and work. An interesting point in God's plan is that work is not punishment. We often think we are required to work due to fall, but the punishment is only that it will be hard, not that we will have to do it. The problems section runs down the typical issues people have, be unmotivated and not 'work as if for the Lord', or being motivated by the wrong then (money, prestige, etc.), or making work and idol.

The final section is the strength of the book. Not only are there some practical how-to-ness in there, but it is extremely encouraging. This may be most important for anything who does not like their job. You will be lifted up and maybe even be a little pumped while reading this last part. I know it changed my thinking. It caused/challenged me to look at things differently and to find different ways of approaching my job and it's issues. Most of all, I was left with a feeling of hope, in that, if doing it for God, it cannot be pointless.

Keller is obviously a great writer, as evidence see his seven thousand books, most of which are best sellers. The whole book is well written and reads quickly. Most important, it is theologically sound and Biblically based. The books only weakness (one it shares with almost all of these types of books) is that it is written for white collar professionals. It assumes education, mobility, and choice in careers. There is a passing reference to blue collar work, but I found it lacking.

My Thoughts
The reminder that the curse isn't the work is an important perspective shift for most people. If you are like me, you remember that the punishments are hard work of the land and pain in child birth. However, we were already called to work and exercise dominion. The reason we don't like work, isn't that it is a punishment, it is that it isn't what it is supposed to be, and of course, it's hard.

I want to spend a little time reiterating some points for the third section. He does acknowledge that you may not like your job, you may even be stuck there, and in that, he goes on to point out what you can do for the Kingdom while there. Obviously, you can share the gospel. There are other things, though, that I thought were interesting. For one, he discusses just being a good boss. Making your place of employment a great place to work and that treats people right, and even more so, being an ethical place. That probably affected me the most as I am stuck in a place that often appears I will never leave. So, what can I do? If you feel this way, this is a good book for you.

I think just about anyone interested in a book regarding the Christian life and work should pick this up. Especially if you are in a white collar field, put it on your list. If not, it is still probably the best book on work out there, but there is just less for you. That really the only knock I have on the book and the only reason I didn't rate it higher.

[...]


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Every Good Endeavor Connecting Your Work to God Work Timothy Keller Katherine Leary Alsdorf 9780525952701 Books Reviews

As someone who has worked as a pastor, a barista, a bus driver, a lawn service professional, a retail specialist, and a writer, this book is immensely practical, possesses theological depth, and is a delight to read. The threefold structure, tracing "God's Plan for Work", "Our Problems with Work", and "The Gospel and Work" is elegant and accessible, and gives instruction concerning work's original intent, the impact of sin upon our work, and the redemption that is offered in Christ. Tim Keller, in both his speaking and writing ministry, is a true gift to the Christian world.

While a lengthy review could easily be written, these brief words will suffice you will seldom find a book that in its simplicity and clarity provides Christians with a helpful framework for understanding and undertaking work, to the glory of God.
Probably the best book on the topic of work written by a modern Christian author.

As is typical of Tim Keller - the writing style is very accessible. The book is very practical, addressing ways to improve your relationship with your job and the idea of work in general. It is good read.

This book would be a great gift for someone who was job hunting, combined with something like "What Color is Your Parachute" or "The Job Search Solution" as a package deal.
A really excellent discussion of the importance of vocation and how the gospel ties in to what we do in our working lives. Many Christians (including me) have a tendency to focus on the affects of the gospel on our own lives, our redemption, our identity, our hope, etc. This is all good, but we can't exclude the affect the gospel is supposed to have through us as well. The presence of Jesus in our lives should affect the people around us, including our workplace, which is what Keller is tackling here. And this impact is beyond evangelism through the speaking of the gospel, it also includes things like doing our work well, displaying gospel-informed patterns in our relationships, holding to a clear ethical standard, and more. This book does a good job of exploring all that and it would benefit every Christian to read it.
“Why do you want to work? Why is it so hard to work? How can we overcome the difficulties and find satisfaction in our work through the gospel?”
I have always been taught that hard work is good. The harder the work, the more valuable the work. When I went to college, I had a couple of jobs on campus. Most were unexciting; usually mindless, insignificant tasks that helped the school function. This is what I assumed work would always be like, dull and boring.

However, I did have one job on campus that I loved. I got to work alongside college students and help them thrive in their college experience. The moment I found out I could have a career in college student development was life-defining day. I never knew work could be meaningful, engaging, and even fun.

Work is part of God’s story. Our first story of God – the creation account – is a story of God working and loving His work. “Christians should places a high value on all human work (especially excellent work), done by all people, as a channel of God’s love for his world.”

As you can attain from the title, Every Good Endeavor is about the theology of work. Keller has definitely done his research. He frequently cites and references works by great theologians and Christian thinkers.

The book has a very simple message but it did drag on too long, but it is good nonetheless.
My Rating - Put it on your list

Level - Easy read, medium length

Summary
This is another book that is hard to summarize with just repeating the title or copy/pasting the table of contents. I guess the title isn't super clear, it comes from a quote that he opens the book with. Basically asking, 'God give us strength in every good endeavor', so, to prosper and do well and any work or vocation we choose.

The book is broken into three main parts - God's plan for work, our problems with work, and the Gospel and work. An interesting point in God's plan is that work is not punishment. We often think we are required to work due to fall, but the punishment is only that it will be hard, not that we will have to do it. The problems section runs down the typical issues people have, be unmotivated and not 'work as if for the Lord', or being motivated by the wrong then (money, prestige, etc.), or making work and idol.

The final section is the strength of the book. Not only are there some practical how-to-ness in there, but it is extremely encouraging. This may be most important for anything who does not like their job. You will be lifted up and maybe even be a little pumped while reading this last part. I know it changed my thinking. It caused/challenged me to look at things differently and to find different ways of approaching my job and it's issues. Most of all, I was left with a feeling of hope, in that, if doing it for God, it cannot be pointless.

Keller is obviously a great writer, as evidence see his seven thousand books, most of which are best sellers. The whole book is well written and reads quickly. Most important, it is theologically sound and Biblically based. The books only weakness (one it shares with almost all of these types of books) is that it is written for white collar professionals. It assumes education, mobility, and choice in careers. There is a passing reference to blue collar work, but I found it lacking.

My Thoughts
The reminder that the curse isn't the work is an important perspective shift for most people. If you are like me, you remember that the punishments are hard work of the land and pain in child birth. However, we were already called to work and exercise dominion. The reason we don't like work, isn't that it is a punishment, it is that it isn't what it is supposed to be, and of course, it's hard.

I want to spend a little time reiterating some points for the third section. He does acknowledge that you may not like your job, you may even be stuck there, and in that, he goes on to point out what you can do for the Kingdom while there. Obviously, you can share the gospel. There are other things, though, that I thought were interesting. For one, he discusses just being a good boss. Making your place of employment a great place to work and that treats people right, and even more so, being an ethical place. That probably affected me the most as I am stuck in a place that often appears I will never leave. So, what can I do? If you feel this way, this is a good book for you.

I think just about anyone interested in a book regarding the Christian life and work should pick this up. Especially if you are in a white collar field, put it on your list. If not, it is still probably the best book on work out there, but there is just less for you. That really the only knock I have on the book and the only reason I didn't rate it higher.

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