The Articles Library, Section 1

What does “Christian” mean on Monday morning?

YOUR WORK IS YOUR MINISTRY

Michael Zigarelli

The Christianity 9 to 5 Bible Study is designed specifically for your busy work life. Previously published by Moody Press, we’ve now reformatted this study into ten 45 minute sessions. Perfect for Sunday school, before-work or lunchtime small group discussion, it also includes a leader’s guide to help you disciple people into a deeper reflection of what it means to do their jobs as Jesus would.

As part of our ministry to you at 9 to 5, we are now pleased to offer The Christianity 9 to 5 Bible Study free of charge in a downloadable (pdf) format. All we ask is that you pray for us as part of your study and that you drop us an email once you’ve completed the study, to let us know what God is doing in your work life.

Dallas Willard 

Willard may be to the 21st century what C.S. Lewis was to the 20th. He says more in this brief devotional piece than most writers say in an entire book.

Tim Keller

Tim Keller, pastor of New York City’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church and bestselling author of The Reason for God has taught and counseled students, young professionals, and senior leaders on the subject of work and calling for more than twenty years. Now he puts his insights into a book for readers everywhere, giving biblical perspectives on such pressing questions as: “What is the purpose of work? How can I use my skills in a vocation that has meaning and purpose? Can I stay true to my values and still advance in my field? How do I make the difficult choices that must be made in the course of a successful career?”  This is the introductory chapter from Pastor Keller’s book.

Click here for a two minute book introduction from Pastor Keller or click here for an in-depth, 70 minute interview with Pastor Keller.

Also, learn more about Redeemer Presbyterian’s innovative Center for Faith and Work.

Doug Sherman and William Hendrix

Does your work matter to God? If so, how? In this now-classic book, the authors explain five ways that our work serves God’s purposes: Through work we serve people, we meet our own needs, we meet our family’s needs, we earn money to give to others, and we show our love for God.

Wayne Grudem

In this article, a world-renown theologian turns his attention to business, identifying several business activities that glorify God. In particular, he makes the case that God-honoring business activities include producing goods, employing people, buying and selling, earning a profit, and borrowing and lending.

Related article: What Makes a Business “Christian”? (R. Paul Stevens)

Kenman Wong and Scott Rae 

What should a business be, from a Christian perspective? What does that actually look like in today’s competitive, global economy? Professors Kenman Wong of Seattle Pacific and Scott Rae of Biola offer a valuable overview of the emerging trends in faith-based business practice, among them social entrepreneurship, comprehensive corporate social responsibility, business as mission, micro-finance and bottom-of-the-pyramid business. Throughout, they powerfully advance the premise that business should not be exclusively an engine to generate private wealth, but also an active partner in solving social problems like poverty, hunger and disease. Their abundant examples point the way to a better way to think about business, entities participating in a new kind of capitalism that pursue multiple bottom lines. This is the culminating chapter of their path-breaking book, Business for the Common Good. (For more information about this book, click here)

Related article: The Purpose of Business: A Catholic Perspective

A.W. Tozer

Which parts of your job please God the most? Which parts are more sacred and which are more secular? Don’t be surprised if your answers change after you read this masterpiece from Tozer.

Brother Lawrence

Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) was a monk who is most remembered for his persistent, close walk with God, for the peace that he enjoyed as a result of that walk, and for his teachings that are preserved in The Practice of the Presence of God. This excerpt from that book shares some of that wisdom, especially as it related to doing our daily work in the presence of God.

Bob Briner

Looking for your vocation? Seeking your calling in life? Consider abandoning the comfort zone of the Christian sub-culture and pursuing a career in secularized industries like art, entertainment, the media, and education. In this classic work, the nationally-renown author fervently challenges Christians to engage and change the world by taking positions in culture-shaping professions.

Henry Blackaby

If we ask the wrong question, we’re likely to get the wrong answer. With piercing clarity and insight, Pastor Henry Blackaby shows that when we ask the common question “What is God’s will for my life?” we open ourselves up to a range of misinterpretations and missed opportunities. It may be better for us to simply ask “What is God’s will?” and then get on board with what we see Him doing in the world.

Rick Warren

Without a clear purpose, the author of The Purpose-Driven Life explains, you will keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, and even churches, hoping each change will finally fill the emptiness in your heart. If this describes you even a little, the timing of this article may not be a coincidence.

Nancy Pearcey

No Christian, says Nancy Pearcey, can be truly happy at work when torn between a secular and a supernatural perspective on that work. In this excerpt from her profound book, Total Truth, Pearcey encourages Christians to discover the joy of finally thinking rightly about their work–of thinking about it from a biblical worldview.

John Ortberg

In American society, we don’t talk much about “calling” anymore. Instead, we’re much more likely to think in terms of career. But that can be a trap, says Pastor Ortberg. A calling is something I do for God while a career threatens to become my god.

David Miller

Yale Divinity School professor David Miller offers us a rare, erudite perspective on the broad-based movement to live out our faith in the workplace. If you’re hungry for something deeper than what’s typically offered by workplace Christianity books, this excerpt from Dr. Miller’s widely-read book, God at Work, is just for you.