Reworking Work

From John Stott on how all work should be glorifying to God, not just vocational ministry:

"In my view, we are due for another reformation with regard to our view of work. Although it's much more subtle, many of us can still perpetuate a sub-biblical view of work. I remember once hearing a student leader suggest that the norm was for Christians to consider themselves called to vocational ministry—and that a calling to a so-called 'secular' vocation was the exception. In other words, the default for Christians should be to go into vocational ministry unless they feel compelled to do something else. But I don't find that idea taught anywhere in Scripture. The result is that we sometimes have people in vocational ministry, not because it is where they have been called by their church, or equipped by God, but simply because they never prepared to do anything else.

"We need to recover the reformational understanding of vocation: all of life in every sphere and in every calling—should be lived to the glory of God and in obedience to his Word. Abraham Kuyper wrote, 'There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, "Mine!"' If that's true (and it is!), isn't it worth our time and effort to think through how to glorify God in the area of work to which he has called you?"

HT: Josh Harris