The Top Ten Books on Faith and Work—An Updated List for 2018

By Hugh Whelchel

It’s been nearly six years since IFWE published our first “top ten” list of books on faith and work. Since then, we’ve seen additional great books published that we want to bring to your attention. We’ve updated our “top ten” list with books that powerfully and creatively explain the biblical meaning of work. They are all rooted in solid theology. Many of the concepts we’ve discussed on this blog, like the cultural mandate or the four chapter-gospel, are more fully explained in these works.

Many of these books also helped me shape my own views on faith, work, and economics as I was writing my book, How Then Should We Work?

The Call by Os Guinness

This is a classic work on finding purpose in life. If you’re wondering what to do with your life, read this book.

Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller

Every Good Endeavor pulls together all the biblical wisdom and teaching from Tim Keller on faith and work over the last twenty years.

Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good by Amy Sherman

Understanding our vocations and our callings can have a huge impact on our communities. This book tells us how that’s possible. I found it helpful because of the real-life stories of faith in action that Sherman tells.

Why Business Matters to God (And What Still Needs to Be Fixed) by Jeff Van Duzer

Van Duzer combines biblical studies, business, and economics to create a Christian approach to business. If you’ve ever wondered how business can be a force for good, read this book. It’s also an encouraging read if you’re a businessperson who feels that the church has ignored your vocation.

Work Matters by Tom Nelson

Tom Nelson is a Kansas City pastor who, when he discovered the truth about integrating faith and work, confessed to his congregation that he had committed “pastoral malpractice” by not preaching about the importance of everyone’s work to God.

God at Work: Your Christian Vocation by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

Veith explains the doctrine of vocation in a way that’s easy to understand. I appreciated how this book helped me see how God is at work in even the ordinary moments of my life where I wouldn’t expect him to be at work.

BAM Global Movement: Business as Mission Concepts & Stories by Gea Gort and Mats Tunehag

Swedish author Mats Tunegag chronicles the inspiring stories of thirty practitioners over numerous continents as they learn to live out the gospel through their work, sharing gospel shalom through the movement called “Business as Mission.”

Work, Love, Pray: Practical Wisdom for Young Professional Christian Women by Diane Paddison

A former Fortune 500 executive team member, Paddison shares stories from her own life and the stories of other women who are seeking to navigate home and office life in a way that’s pleasing to God.

Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer

Hipster Pastor John Mark Comer’s book, Garden City, which reads like a long, conversational blog, speaks to the original design regarding faith and work found in the opening chapters of the book of Genesis. It also has an excellent and much-needed section on the importance of the Sabbath.

How Then Should We Work? Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work by Hugh Whelchel

At the risk of shameless self-promotion, I do want to recommend my book on faith and work in which I share my research on how the church and culture have influenced our view of work. I truly believe it will help and encourage you if you are looking to find deeper meaning in your life. I also think it will aid you in discovering a more spiritually fulfilling purpose for your work.