Authors: William Boekestein
Publisher: Reformed Free Publishing Association
138 pages
Purchase from: Amazon (£15.59)
William Boekestein’s excellent book ‘does what it says on the tin’.
The opening chapters provide a brief biblical theology of work: as Christians we do the same work as others, but with a new master and new motives. We work to honour God, meet our needs, serve others, commend Christ, and become more like him. Work matters, but it isn’t ultimate.
Next comes practical preparation: we are to gain wisdom, cultivate character, and develop skills. Our choices should be well-informed, ambitious, and realistic as we trust God.
The final section calls us to work well: responsibly and productively, with focus, love, and contentment. There is a sensible view of guidance (‘there isn’t one perfect job that you must magically find’), and work is placed alongside our other responsibilities to family and church. There are also chapters on rest and on managing money wisely.
The book interweaves Scripture, theology, realism, and common sense (including a tough take on lazy entitlement: ‘you need to be good at something before you can expect a good job’). Boekstein is eager to draw on the wisdom of the past – the book is peppered with quotes, mostly helpful – and each short chapter ends with insights from his interviews with Christians from a wide variety of professions.
In the appendices, Boekstein deals briefly but helpfully with several key questions: What if I hate my job? Is my vocation compromised by sin? Should I go to college? He also addresses military service and the call to Christian ministry. Some examples have a definite US flavour to them, but most of the content is easily applicable to the UK, and the book is well written.
‘You don’t need a “perfect” job. But you do need to be faithful and productive in ways that honour God.’ Definitely recommended.
Phil Heaps
Highbury, North London
