Here is a book with you in mind.
Why do I say that? Because like you, many of us have a multitude of things to get done each day. In the midst of all our busyness, we sometimes wonder – do the things we do really matter? Do they matter to God? Does our daily routine of getting things done make any difference at all? Does waking up early to spend time in the Word, and then going about our day’s work, truly count for something in God’s eyes?
A former senior director of strategy at Desiring God Ministries, Matt Perman, presents a Bible-saturated perspective of what productivity means to God and to us, and how the Gospel makes sense in our daily grind of getting things done at work and at home. In his foreword to What’s Best Next, John Piper praises the book as one that is about “how to be so satisfied in God that the power of this joy is released to love people better in the midst of the current, very challenging environment of our modern, technological, constantly interrupted knowledge work era”. He also noted some interesting quotes by Perman in the book:
“The only way to be productive is to realise we actually don’t have to be productive.”
“This book is also for screw-ups and failures!”
“Serving is exciting. It’s like steak, not broccoli.”
“Gospel-Driven Productivity is about … bringing the gospel to all nations.”
“Productivity is the only long-term solution to world poverty.”
“The most important principle for being productive is Bible reading and prayer, before the day begins,every day.”
While many secular books on productivity have been written (e.g. Stephen Covey’s First Things First and David Allen’s Getting Things Done), Perman is at the forefront of Christian thinking on productivity. He highlights several reasons why personal productivity is necessary for Christians:
- Bad productivity approaches are annoying!
- Managing ourselves well is foundational to all we do.
- A good productivity approach enables us to be more effective in doing good for others.
- Knowing how to get things done is a component of our sanctification.
- Knowing how to get things done enables us to fulfil God’s call to make plans for the good of others.
- Knowing how to get things done is a component of a complete worldview.
- Managing ourselves well enables us to excel at work and in life.
He then introduces Gospel-Driven Productivity (GDP) – an approach that reminds us that the things we do each day are really about doing good works out of a heart that desires to live for God, love others, and put them first. He explains that through faith in Christ, the gospel becomes the motivation for us to do good works – and to do them well – for the glory of God. This book is available for loan at the Resource Library.
This book review was written by Ho Chee Yoong, Amos, Jan 2020.
