A Good Return: Biblical Principles for Work, Wealth and Wisdom

by John C. Lennox

Publisher:

Christian Focus

, 2023

Overview

Can work be worship?

A Good Return does not provide maxims to get you through the day. Instead, it is a book that encourages Christians to view their workspace as an avenue of worship.

The world of work is expanding. New technologies, industries and means of communication, have presided in the transition of the workplace into a fast, digital and busier–than–ever era.

With increasing demands and declining rewards, in whichever sector you care to name, work can become all–consuming, overwhelming, burdensome, dissatisfying, and more. It becomes easy to complain, drag one’s feet while getting out of the door, and face daily tasks with an apathetic attitude.

When battling external pressures and internal conflicts, the workplace is a challenging environment. We need equipped to tackle so many aspects of working life:

Salaries

Wealth

Time management

Motivation

Rest and Sabbath

The secular sacred divide

Eternal rewards

Our digital technological era

Gospel support

How should the Christian navigate these areas? John C. Lennox has crafted a book with thoughtful, biblical and evangelical deliberation on our behaviour in, and towards, our work. With his trademark clarity, faithfulness and wisdom, Lennox invites us into a wider discussion on Christian approaches to lots of areas of working life.

“It will provide great help, encouragement and joyful inspiration to all who are seeking to apply the Lordship of Christ in all these vital areas of life” – Lindsay Brown (Former General Secretary of IFES and International Director, Lausanne Movement)

Contents

• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Preface
• Chapter 1: Creation and Sabbath
• Chapter 2: Motivation
• Chapter 3: A Fisherman seeks God’s Kingdom
• Chapter 4: Secular or Sacred?
• Chapter 5: Gospel Patrons
• Chapter 6: Wealth Management
• Chapter 7: Work’s Eternal Rewards
• Appendix A: Principles of Gospel Support
• Appendix B: Insights from Neuroscience
• Bibliography

Praise for A Good Return

With a mathematician’s precision, Dr Lennox presents an array of business factors that I wish I had read before starting my own company thirty-five years ago. The dividends one will add from reading this will multiply business success exponentially. My word of advice: read this book and take its messages to heart!

—Mark Lanier, The Lanier Law Firm, Founder, Lanier Foundation, Houston, Texas

Foundational, humbling, and searing – that’s how I found this book. Foundational, because here’s the handbook for the Scriptural principles for your work. As a city worker says in the foreword: ‘What I would have given to have had the benefit of this book at the outset of my working life.’ Humbling, because John Lennox has actually done two jobs simultaneously over the last fifty years – Oxford academic, and apologist. I wince when I think about how hard he must have laboured, so from personal experience he knows what he’s talking about. And lastly, searing, because of the warnings about both idleness and exploitation among those in full-time Christian work.

—Rico Tice, Senior Minister (Evangelism), All Souls, Langham Place, London

Product Details

• Title: A Good Return: Biblical Principles for Work, Wealth and Wisdom
• Author: John C. Lennox
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Pages: 176
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• ISBNs: 9781527109926, 1527109925
• Resource ID: LLS:GDRTRNBWLTHWSDM
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-01T19:20:41Z

About John C. Lennox

John Lennox is a mathematician, author, apologist, and philosopher of science. He is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and a Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College. He is the author of numerous books on the relationship between science and religion. He is also well known for his debates on the same subject.