Every Good Endeavor—Tim Keller & Katherine AlsdorfSample

A New Compass For Work   

Christians must always be exploring—in communities of faith and practice—how it would be possible for their field of work to be more just and beneficial to more people.

Theological and ethical reflection on our field of work is not easy. It is easier by far to focus on your own job and merely seek to work with personal integrity, skill, and a joyful heart. That is indeed a major part of what it means for a Christian to do faithful work, but that is not all it takes. Christians are to think persistently and deeply about the shape of work in their field and whether (in biblical terms) it accords as well as possible with human well-being and with justice.

And if it doesn’t, what should you do? Most people just beginning their careers are not in a position to make any kind of broader changes to their field or work environment. But if you have done the work of sustained reflection, then when you begin to accumulate more power and influence—and especially if you are able to begin a new enterprise or business yourself—it may be possible to make significant changes to how work is done in such a way that it influences your profession. You might help lead a financial service or IT company that delivers such an unusual amount of transparency to shareholders and customers that it forces other companies to operate with more integrity. You might form a film production company, start a school, or run an art gallery—combining excellence and values in such a way that has an impact on may others who are working in the field. These moves would allow you to “serve the work” at a whole new level. None of this will happen, however, unless you begin thinking deeply about your kind of work now. Only then will you be ready to make the changes if and when the opportunity presents itself. Work in the hope that God will open such doors for you in the future. 

Reflection

In what ways can you imagine your field of work or workplace becoming more just and beneficial to more people?

Prayer

Jesus, may your love guide my vision and imagination for work.   

Option for Further Exploration

Click to watch a talk, Why Work Matters, from Center for Faith and Work. 

Excerpt from Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller. Reprinted by arrangement with Penguin Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2012 by Timothy Keller