Colossians 3:17 and 1st Corinthians 10:31 make it clear that that Christians are to be motivated to do their very best work whatever work they are doing to the glory of God. While everyone has a vocation many Christians don’t understand why their work matters.
The term vocation comes from the Latin word for “calling.” The Scriptures are full of passages that describe how Christians have been called to faith through the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14) and how God calls us to a particular office or way of life (1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 7:15-20). The doctrine of vocation is thoroughly biblical and was developed with its greatest rigor during the Reformation.
Out of the Protestant Reformation came what is known as “the Protestant work ethic,” but this was not due to the pressure to prove one’s worth to God, but rather emerged out of an understanding of the meaning of work and the satisfaction and fulfillment that come from ordinary human labor when seen through the light of the doctrine of vocation. The Reformation was the time in which the Protestant church enjoyed its greatest cultural influence—in art, literature, music, as well as in social institutions. All of this was because the Reformers understood what the Bible has to teach about the doctrine of vocation. Recovering this doctrine is important to contemporary Christians because it will open the way for the Church and Christians to influence our culture once again through our work.
In his helpful book Work Matters Connecting Sunday Worship To Monday Work Pastor Tom Nelson helps clear away misconceptions and misunderstandings about the nature of vocation and work for Christians. Many Christians may feel that their work is drudgery, or may have even have made their work an idol. All Christians need to understand that because God has ordained man to work, He desires that all men do their work to and for His glory. Whether you’re a workaholic or weekend warrior, the doctrine of vocation has fallen on hard times in contemporary evangelicalism, and it’s time for Christians to bridge the gap between Sunday worship and Monday work by understanding what the Bible teaches about our work.
Pastor Nelson in Work Matters strikes a good balance between theological depth and practical counsel by outlining God’s purpose for work in a way that will help Christians to make the most of our vocation and join God in His work in the world. If you’re tired of feeling that your work doesn’t matter, or you want to learn about how God views your vocation, read Work Matters. Reading Works Matters will help Christians to discover afresh what it means to do all their work for the glory of God. I recommend you read this book to discover the Bible’s perspective on work, because doing so will transform your workday and make the majority of your waking hours matter, not only now, but for eternity.
Title: Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work
Author: Tom Nelson
Publisher: Crossway (2011)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Crossway review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
