Don't Waste Your Life

Dec 05, 2008 David rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, philosophy-theology-spirituality

It's a great book. It does what it does well, but it doesn't deal with the possible (or even, likely) reaction that people might have to it. That is, to draw their sense of approval and validation from how successful they feel they are at "not wasting" their life. If they aren't what they consider to be successful at this, then they will feel less approved or loved by God (even if they know intellectually that isn't true). So if they aren't "successful," then they will be depressed. If they are...more

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Amy I see and appreciate what you are saying, but it shouldn't end there.

Yes, both the "I'm a great Christian" and the "God must hate me" extreme are not...more I see and appreciate what you are saying, but it shouldn't end there.

Yes, both the "I'm a great Christian" and the "God must hate me" extreme are not correct or healthy views, but we don't get these ideas from Don't Waste Your Life and we especially don't get it from a "hidden lair" of Christianity. If any hidden lairs are involved, it is the hidden lair of Satan twisting God's truth.

God's truth is that we are ALL filthy sinners with absolutely NO WAY of saving ourselves. (Romans 3:23) We should never forget that we owe our SALVATION to Jesus Christ's FREELY AND LOVINGLY given blood and perfect life, and NOT to anything we have done or will do.

Satan twists this beautiful truth and drags us done into the mindset that because we are sinful, we can't be bothered with trying to do good things. After all, God already saved us and loves us, right? We, lowly beings that we are, should just live our lives as we please, (since we can't do anything else) and feel good about ourselves because we know that God loves us anyway.

Romans 6:1-4 says, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

This "new life" is what John Piper is talking about! It is a life of devotion to God. With his help, every day, every minute, we learn to make decisions that will honor Him, and we do it because we love him. We don't do "good things" because we need to feel that we are good Christians, but because God is a wonderful God and we live for His glory.

I believe this quote from (appropriately) "Don't Waste Your Life" sums up what I'm trying to say.

"So here is the question to test whether you have been sucked into this world's distortion of love: Would you feel more loved by God if he made much of you, or if he liberated you from the bondage of self-regard, at great cost to himself, so that you enjoy making much of him forever?" (In case you're wondering, the answer is the latter.)

It's telling that when Jesus is asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" He doesn't doesn't say, "Be happy knowing that God loves you." He says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:36-40)

When we repent and confess our sin, God clears it from the record. We do not need to feel guilty about that, but with God's help, we need to move past that point of making the same mistakes over and over. A life focused on loving and serving God will never be a life wasted.

Long story short: Don't try to justify YOUR existence; live to glorify GOD'S!

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updated Aug 02, 2009 11:13am

Debra Yes, that is how I feel about this book. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Thanks for putting that into words for me.
Feb 20, 2011 05:31pm

Richelle Knapp Yeah you summed it up nicely. As I read I had this vague feeling of being condemned and that what he describes seems like we can't just enjoy life som...more
Mar 09, 2013 10:24am

Oct 20, 2008 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I so enjoyed reading this while in Kenya. Beth Mixon, Sara's good friend who gave up her bed so I had a place to sleep, had this book on her shelf. Since it had been recommended to me by my son Ben and I have enjoyed Piper's work before I went for it. The chapter on "Risk is Right" was superb and reminded me that to risk it all for the kingdom pays BIG TIME. Not a bad return, given the current market crash. I am quite certain that when I think of risk I am thinking of different things than Ben....more I so enjoyed reading this while in Kenya. Beth Mixon, Sara's good friend who gave up her bed so I had a place to sleep, had this book on her shelf. Since it had been recommended to me by my son Ben and I have enjoyed Piper's work before I went for it. The chapter on "Risk is Right" was superb and reminded me that to risk it all for the kingdom pays BIG TIME. Not a bad return, given the current market crash. I am quite certain that when I think of risk I am thinking of different things than Ben. I was challanged as to what it means to risk at different stages of life. At my stage to risk means being humbled by "starting over" for example if God calls me back to clinical practice-after 10 years in research- stuff that seems daunting but wonderful too. Maybe to risk means saying "God do whatever it takes" to keep me close to you, knowing from past experience how much that might hurt, maybe for someone who is such a "doer" like me it means the discipline of "listening" to God and others. Maybe for me the biggest risk is to say to God you get to choose about my future, even when you know a part of my heart is planted in Africa and has been for a very long time. Maybe at a different life stage it means having another baby when the world seems in such lousy shape. Risk may be such different things at different life stages. It is a risk to stay home with children for women who struggled to become competent at a career, it is a risk to REALLY BE what GOD CALLS ME TO BE, whatever my age or life ;stage, because he does not call to mediocrity but to excellence. Being HIS head, and heart, and hands, so often does not look important. I remember well my diaper days, when faithful service was a risk of a positive attitude with mundane tasks, when risk was moving to stay married and hoping God would still show up in a forsaken desert. Now risk is looking different. But one thing has not changed, it is not comfortable. Risking always makes me suck in my breath, and ask myself, "Can I trust God with even this?" The advantage of age and grey hair (and yes you get it from your kids) is I can afirm, God always shows up and it is always worth the risk. (less)

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Jul 01, 2008 Traci rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book got me by the preface. I originally picked it up at the library, b/c I RARELY purchase a book. Well, I got so sucked in to it that I had to buy it and sit with a pencil or highlighter b/c so much of this book hit home.

I'm the woman with a college degree not being used, work experience in telecom which barely exists anymore (and which I'm terribly underexperienced for), a mom wanting to be here for my kids--their homework challenges, their activities, their lives--a substitute teacher...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Josh Wilson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: formation, theology

John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

In 189 pages, Don’t Waste Your Life summarizes the ministry and mission of Pastor John Piper, one of the most influential pastor’s of our generation. It is a powerful message, passionately presented, by an authentic leader. I have read the book on numerous occasions and have never done so without being challenged and moved.
Piper opens the book by describing, somewhat poetically, his search for the meaning of life. He chronicles his personal journey and reveals...more John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

In 189 pages, Don’t Waste Your Life summarizes the ministry and mission of Pastor John Piper, one of the most influential pastor’s of our generation. It is a powerful message, passionately presented, by an authentic leader. I have read the book on numerous occasions and have never done so without being challenged and moved.
Piper opens the book by describing, somewhat poetically, his search for the meaning of life. He chronicles his personal journey and reveals his fear of wasting his life. Through Dylan and Schaeffer and Lewis and Edwards, Piper details how he came to the realization which would guide his life; the realization that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” Piper proclaims that a life lived for God’s glory is also the surest road to satisfaction. He proposes that that ultimate happiness does not lie in focus on self or personal satisfaction, but rather, in a focus on God and His glory. But far from a sacrificial endeavor, Piper depicts it as a hedonistic pursuit. He describes that exalting God is the purpose for which we were designed. In the pursuit of God, Piper promises unparallel satisfaction for the believer as he experiences the ultimate beauty and meaning in the universe.
If knowing and treasuring Christ is the highest objective, then nowhere is this better expressed than the cross. Piper explains that the cross is central to the life of the Christian. Not only because on the cross is God’s character most revealed in Jesus. But also, because as we follow Christ through suffering, is Christ most magnified in us. Piper explains that the Christian may claim to value Jesus amid comfort and luxury, but when, as Job, everything is stripped away, and the Christian remains radiant, filled with joy in Jesus, this value is revealed. Piper continues by attacking the notion of a “safe life.” He brings life into perspective, challenging the reader to grasp that life is a fleeting commodity which cannot be held, only invested. In the closing chapters, Piper urges, pleas, and calls a generation to spend their lives joyfully for Jesus. He explores the implications of these concepts for wealth and missions. He tells stories of those whose lives were lost and those whose lives were wasted. He challenges his readers to embrace Jesus as the greatest treasure and in doing so, sing his value to the nations.
Don’t Waste Your Life has had a significant and recurring impact on my life. Not only has it significantly helped to framing the way I think and challenge the way I live, but also by giving words to my conception of what it means to be a disciple. This week, I borrowed numerous phrases from the book in sharing my faith with a co-worker. In conjunction with Piper’s other works, Don’t Waste Your Life helped me to shift from a paradigm of service out of duty to one of love. The book has helped me to become more authentic, as my ministry has been transformed from one of strategic presentation to one of overflowing grace. The simple idea present in this book that our mission is nothing more than finding joy in Christ, has radically transformed my spiritual life. Perhaps no other book has had such a significant impact on my life. I read it each year and continue to benefit and grow from it’s simple but passionate challenge.

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Mar 08, 2013 Dottie Parish rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-living, christian-non-fiction, missions, church-renewal

John Piper’s book inspired and informed my mind and heart about the danger of Christians wasting their life rather than being intentional about how we spend it. Unless we lose our life – we waste our life. Risks are worth it and necessary. This is Piper’s thesis throughout the book. His detailed application of what it means to be “crucified” with Christ yet live for him gave me new understanding – both intellectually and emotionally of the profound and difficult meaning of this Scripture.

Piper...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Billy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book will hit folks hard, for the better or for the worse...,

I apologize for this long review. I feel very passionate about the subject covered in this book and I feel that I would be amiss if I did not state my humble opinion, pointed as it may be. So please forgive the loquacious effort that I humbly offer in hopes that others will read this book and find themselves changed for the better as I have.

I found it very interesting to read through the fifty-something reviews on this book before...more

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Apr 16, 2012 Meredithie added it · review of another edition

I can't actually rate this because I didn't finish, but I wanted to acknowledge that I did get half-way through. I gained a lot of insight into the Bible about God's glory, our glory in God's glory, and many other VERY important aspects of the Christian faith. But it was just too over my head and I was not getting most of it. It took me over a month to even get half-way through. This is the second time I've had to stop reading a John Piper book because of this same thing. It's too complex for me...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book did a good job of shaking me out of my self-involved thinking - reminding me that it is far better to risk and suffer loss for following Christ than to die having lived comfortably without him.

As other reviewers noted, chapters 7 and 8 were the high-point of this book, describing living for Jesus in a purposeful and urgent way (war-time living) regardless of where we work or what we do.

The book started off and ended slowly for me, but I got drawn in at the end of chapter 5, when Pipe...more

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Jul 27, 2011 James added it · review of another edition

(Composite score)

A fairly good book in toto. One might disagree if one were to pick it up casually in a bookstore. The first 6 chapters are an abominable slog. Written in a discombobulated style (attempting, perhaps, C.S. Lewis, but with far less clarity), it is almost as if Piper is talking out loud through his points rather than writing them in a concise, orderly fashion. Despite this, there is a jewel or two in the rough in each of these chapters.

Chapters 7-9 are like bright stars in a black...more

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Jun 19, 2011 John Gardner rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I guess you could say that, for me, this is the book that started it all. That is to say, for all the reading I do now of books relating to faith and theology, this is a relatively late addition to my life. I’ve always been a big reader, but prior to 2003, I pretty much stayed in the realm of fiction, with the occasional history book thrown in.

In June of 2003, however, the man who was discipling me challenged me to dedicate two of my greatest loves — music and reading — to the Lord. He told me t...more I guess you could say that, for me, this is the book that started it all. That is to say, for all the reading I do now of books relating to faith and theology, this is a relatively late addition to my life. I’ve always been a big reader, but prior to 2003, I pretty much stayed in the realm of fiction, with the occasional history book thrown in.

In June of 2003, however, the man who was discipling me challenged me to dedicate two of my greatest loves — music and reading — to the Lord. He told me that I ought to read books that would cause me to focus on the Lord, and the first book he handed me was John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life, which had just come out the previous month.

The book changed my life. Of course, it was God who changed my life, but he used the words of John Piper to do it. It was a huge wake-up call for a guy who had always coasted through life, piddling away my time and talents and taking faith for granted. Piper’s strong language convicted me of my apathy and wastefulness, and helped me see that I was indeed wasting my life. I realized that I had never fully grasped the magnitude of the gospel, and that what I called “faith” had no roots. I needed to devote my life to the pursuit of God, which included a serious study of theology and a lifestyle of active obedience to the Word.

I recently “re-read” this book by listening to the audio book. I was once again challenged and convicted, but also encouraged. By no means have I “arrived”, but as I listened, I remembered where I was when I first read those words. I can see the vast difference Christ has made in my life, and how He has walked with me every step of the way. I see that life can have meaning. It doesn’t have to be a waste! And my life is so much more fulfilling knowing that I am no longer a slave to my own selfish desires, but a slave to Christ and His perfect purpose for my life.

I could go on and on about this book, but I’d rather you just read it yourself (even if you’ve read it before). (less)

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Sep 25, 2010 Josh Morgan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café.

John Piper is a prolific writer who people seem to either love or hate. In December, I had the opportunity to review his latest book (in audiobook format), which made me into a non-fan of Piper. I cross-post my reviews on other sites, including Amazon. It was quite interesting to see how passionately people defended Piper in response to my review. And how they review the usefulness of a review and people's comments based on their agreement with...more This review first appeared on my blog, Jacob's Café.

John Piper is a prolific writer who people seem to either love or hate. In December, I had the opportunity to review his latest book (in audiobook format), which made me into a non-fan of Piper. I cross-post my reviews on other sites, including Amazon. It was quite interesting to see how passionately people defended Piper in response to my review. And how they review the usefulness of a review and people's comments based on their agreement with them.

Another of Piper's books became available in christianaudio's reviewers program (with a complimentary copy), so I decided to take the opportunity to give Piper another chance. Don't Waste Your Life is actually an older book of Piper's (from 2006), and it definitely gave me a more positive view of Piper.

I'm still not a Piper fan, but he presented a much more balanced view of life in this book. As the title suggests, he is encouraging people to not waste their lives. In short, we need to live for Christ and not for the materialism of the world in order to not waste our lives. He gives an excellent story from his childhood that his father would frequently tell people about an older man who died feeling like his life was wasted on "worldly" endeavors.

I agree with this viewpoint. We need meaning and purpose in life, and the only way to get true meaning is by loving others through Christ (or more accurately, letting Christ love others through us). I also appreciated that Piper acknowledged the various ways people can enhance the Kingdom--not always through explicit ministry. He did an excellent job of supporting an incarnational view of spreading the Gospel, as he noted the critical need of people to do "mundane, secular" jobs.

He illustrates these points with nice stories, anecdotes, and metaphors. At the same time, it would have probably been easy to make a more concise version of the book.

In his eagerness to emphasize the tragedy of a wasted life, Piper also invalidates other life tragedies. He explicitly states that people getting cancer and dying in accidents are not tragedies. I greatly and passionately disagree. These are all tragedies; just different types.

Further, there was still too much emphasis on sin and leading a holy (meaning morally pure) life. From my post Wednesday: "While we do need to combat sin and move toward moral purity, this is something that is impossible in this world. And it's not the primary goal of the Gospel or what God wants, in my opinion. He wants a relationship with us. And battling sin can get in the way of that. If we are always beating ourselves up in order to repent, we are ignoring God's redemption and therefore ignoring God."

Different Christian traditions emphasize the roles of repentance and redemption to varying degrees. Piper clearly comes from one that sees the role of continual repentance as central. I think we need to emphasize redemption more.(less)

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Feb 15, 2010 JPaul rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to JPaul by: Desiring God Ministires

Another great book from John Piper with a powerful message for today's generation of believers, "Don't Waste Your Life". Piper quoting Johnathan Edwards, lists some of the resolutions that Edwards sought to live by. It would seem he did so successfully, as evidenced by the profound impact this eighteenth-century preacher used by God, had on this world.

"*Resolution #17: 'Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.'

*Resolution #22: 'Resolved to endeavor to obtai...more

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Jan 27, 2011 Shelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Go to the best school you can. Get the job that makes the most money possible. Retire early. Spend the rest of your life "Doing what you want to do"-----collecting antiques, going on cruises, woodworking.

None of these things are bad in and of themselves. But is that all life is intended to be? Is that the way God designed living our life here on earth to look like?

John Piper, in the book Don't Waste Your Life, takes issue with the prevailing thoughts that life is primarily for our enjoyment. Ins...more Go to the best school you can. Get the job that makes the most money possible. Retire early. Spend the rest of your life "Doing what you want to do"-----collecting antiques, going on cruises, woodworking.

None of these things are bad in and of themselves. But is that all life is intended to be? Is that the way God designed living our life here on earth to look like?

John Piper, in the book Don't Waste Your Life, takes issue with the prevailing thoughts that life is primarily for our enjoyment. Instead, Piper pleads with his readers to "Make much of God"; that the joy that doing so creates, as well as the grace that we don't deserve, should lead the believer to be willing to risk all for Christ.

I was personally very taken by the story related in this book about Adinoram Judson, who, with his young bride, left the United States to serve God in Burma, only returning one time. That sort of risk of life and wealth and the Western definition of (pseudo)-"happiness" and satisfaction seems to carry with it the kind of lasting contentedness that acknowledges that we are but sojourners in this life on earth-that our home is not here but eternally with God our father.

In reading this book, I have been reminded of a verse that has come to have a great deal of meaning to me personally. Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18:

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

But until that day when the eternal weight of glory is realized and attained, we are to live in this world. But will our time here be wasted in vain pursuits? In gaining all the "glory" we can gain here on this earth? All the money, the cars, the vacations? Piper urges his readers to evaluate their lives, to give thought to what really matters. To realize that we may be called to give everything--including our lives--in order to make much of God. And that to make much of God is the reason why we were created.(less)

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Jan 22, 2010 Danny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a great book on focusing on the war versus merely existing. Some of my favorite quotes:
"He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."
"Because I was created by God & for His glory...My desire is to make knowing & enjoying God the passionate pursuit of my life." Louie Giglio
"We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples, through Jesus Christ."
"the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy lif...more What a great book on focusing on the war versus merely existing. Some of my favorite quotes:
"He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."
"Because I was created by God & for His glory...My desire is to make knowing & enjoying God the passionate pursuit of my life." Louie Giglio
"We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples, through Jesus Christ."
"the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
No one ever said that they learned their deepest lessons of life, or had their sweetest encounters with God, on the sunny days. People go deep with God when the drought comes. That is the way God designed it.
There is more of God's glory to be seen and savored through suffering than through self-serving escape.
But when all is said and done, the promise and design of God for people who do not waste their lives is clear. "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). And when persecution pauses, the groanings of this age remain. "We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23). We will groan one way or the other. As Paul said, "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10).
Paul had learned what love is. Love is not Christ's making much of us or making life easy. Love is doing what he must do, at great cost to himself (and often to us), to enable us to enjoy making much of him forever.
On the far side of every risk-even if it results in death-the love of God triumphs. This is the faith that frees us to risk for the cause of God. It is not heroism, or lust for adventure, or courageous self-reliance, or efforts to earn God's favor. It is childlike faith in the triumph of God's love-that on the other side of all our risks, for the sake of righteousness, God will still be holding us. We will be eternally satisfied in him. Nothing will have been wasted.
Affliction raised his sword to cut off the head of Paul's faith. But instead the hand of faith snatched the arm of affliction and forced it to cut off part of Paul's worldliness. Affliction is made the servant of godliness and humility and love. Satan meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.
Sometimes I use the phrase "wartime lifestyle" or "wartime mind-set." … It tells me that there is a war going on in the world between Christ and Satan, truth and falsehood, belief and unbelief. It tells me that there are weapons to be funded and used, but that these weapons are not swords or guns or bombs but the Gospel and prayer and self-sacrificing love (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). And it tells me that the stakes of this conflict are higher than any other war in history; they are eternal and infinite: heaven or hell, eternal joy or eternal torment (Matthew 25:46).
I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth "home."
when the trifling fog of life clears and I see what I am really on earth to do, I groan over the petty pursuits that waste so many lives-and so much of mine.
Oh, that young and old would turn off the television, take a long walk, and dream about feats of courage for a cause ten thousand times more important than American democracy-as precious as that is. If we would dream and if we would pray, would not God answer?
if your work creates a web of redemptive relationships and becomes an adornment for the Gospel of the glory of Christ, your satisfaction will last forever and God will be exalted in your joy.
Missions exists because worship 'doesn't. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever. Worship, therefore, is the fuel and the goal of missions.
We are hypocrites to pretend enthusiasm for overseas ministry while neglecting the miseries at home.
Missions and mercy are inextricable because the very Gospel we take to the nations models and mandates mercy to the poor at home.
Help us to see that if we try to guard our wealth, instead of using it to show it's not our god, then we will waste our lives, however we succeed.(less)

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May 06, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christianity

I learned about this book from hearing about it in Jeremy Lin's video testimony on You Tube. This is a very eye-opening book, because it challenges Christians to live out our faiths and explain to non-Christians why merely relaxing during your retirement is a waste of time. It opened my eyes to see how crazy it is to just work so I can have a great retirement relaxing and enjoying free time. Life is too precious to be wasted living independently instead of caring about the people around us. I re...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Kurt rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book suffers from Piper's tendency to fill 200 pages when 30 would have illustrated his points sufficiently, but the points in Don't Waste Your Life are terrific, and it's well worth the read. Mostly, the book challenges the reader again and again to live deliberately for God's glory instead of wasting life pursuing anything else. I love Piper's exhaustive Biblical citations and his presentation of rarely referenced milestones in the history of international missions. I also love that Piper...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-read-in-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Where to start. I think this is a book that can change your life If you are willing. It is filled with scripture and information about living the way God intended us to. I thought that everything in this book was correct. The standard in this book was high because it was God's standard. For he says, "Be perfect as I am perfect." To live the way John Piper says we should and the way the Bible says we should would not be an easy life, but it would be a life filled with joy and ultimate happiness b...more Where to start. I think this is a book that can change your life If you are willing. It is filled with scripture and information about living the way God intended us to. I thought that everything in this book was correct. The standard in this book was high because it was God's standard. For he says, "Be perfect as I am perfect." To live the way John Piper says we should and the way the Bible says we should would not be an easy life, but it would be a life filled with joy and ultimate happiness because the end of this life would be the eternal life with God in Heaven. This book truly deals with all aspects of our lives including life itself and death. Living by risk, not the usual way we think of risk though. And also, courage, which he gives several examples of citing Iowa Jima and first hand accounts. The goal of this book is for you to have a complete life in God. He will give you everything that you need. One of the things Piper says is when he quotes the verse, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" The way Piper explains this verse to us along with other similar verses where God promises to take care of us, is different than the way I have usually heard it explained. God will provide for you if your trust him and He will give you exactly what he intends to give you. Does that mean you will never be without? No, you may be starving, but God will provide in such a way that you will be content in him to not curse his name. An important topic this book covers is that Christ is our ultimate joy and everything we do should be from a love of Christ. Our lives need to be connected to this joy and not separate and Christ should be an aspect of everything we do. Piper speaks of honoring God in our daily routines, when we are at work and how to live in a secular job and still be with Christ. He also speaks of missionary work and asks you to consider if that is your calling. He does not say that you should be a missionary, indeed he references the Bible in that some of us need to work in secular jobs while others will be called to serve God as some kind of a missionary. Piper speaks of money and materialism, of worldliness. How many of us really give as much as we should? I know I do not. And often the things we think we "need" are really only wants and we can do without. We all lack in this area. Time-wasters are mentioned briefly in this book, mainly TV and the internet, clothing and other things that will dull our brains. He even mentions secular music and books and things that take us away from God. Again, all of this is true. I do not watch TV often, usually once a week or less, but yes I do find my appearance and clothing to be important and I know I focus on that more than I should. As far as music in books go, I agree that they can take us away from God. But, for me music is such a part of my life and reading too (four overflowing book cases in my room) that I can never see myself giving either of them up. Piper does not want us to waste our lives, to come to die and realize that we have spent our years in a meaningless way. The only way to not waste our lives is to give everything to Christ. Now for the personal part of this review. Like I said, this was a good book. For me I found it hard to follow at times and would get frustrated. Piper gives a lot of information, but as for his information on how to apply his principles to our lives, that I feel is not there. Also, this book really showed my inadequacies. I know I can never measure up to God's standard of perfection, but Piper's wishes for us to me seem so unattainable that I find it laughable. I am the first to admit that I am full of failures and that I am a sinner who needs Christ in my life daily, I know I can easily fall away and I know that I need to do more to follow after him. I know I live too far in this world and need to come out of it. For me, the life Piper wants for us is one that is so hard. I thought I was doing okay, in my walk. Reading my Bible, praying, trying to live each day as a Christian. Of course I messed up. I am only human, and being a Christian does not mean that my sin nature is not in me. But, this book showed me that I have so far to go, to really serve God. And the truth is I don't want to die and stand before the throne and say that I have wasted my life. What worse terror in this life is there except eternal separation from God?(less)

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Feb 28, 2012 Nathan Wheeler rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have to admit, I’m not a fan of John Piper. I had no idea who he was until a few years back when he wrote a blog about a tornado in downtown Minneapolis, MN was God’s warning to the ECLA for voting in favor in ordaining homosexuals. From that point on most things I’ve read or heard him say have irked me to no end.

I’ve dreaded reading this book, but I knew that one day I would. It’s a big hit with lots of young adults. John speaks at tons of conferences and one of the biggest is Passion. Passio...more I have to admit, I’m not a fan of John Piper. I had no idea who he was until a few years back when he wrote a blog about a tornado in downtown Minneapolis, MN was God’s warning to the ECLA for voting in favor in ordaining homosexuals. From that point on most things I’ve read or heard him say have irked me to no end.

I’ve dreaded reading this book, but I knew that one day I would. It’s a big hit with lots of young adults. John speaks at tons of conferences and one of the biggest is Passion. Passion gathers thousands of young adults each year, 40,000 young adults this year alone. I don’t dislike Passion. The Passion conference has influenced a lot of young adults to live for Christ. I don’t fault Passion for inviting John either. He is a draw for lots of young college students. I think the biggest influence John Piper has is on college campuses. RUF (the campus ministry of the PCA) & Baptists campus ministry seem to push his brand of theology with vigor. I can see why now.
There aren’t many young adults who don’t want their lives to matter. They want their life to have purpose, meaning and fulfillment. Don’t waste your life is the author’s manifesto to captivate young people not to waste their life. It’s thought-provoking, introspective and authoritative. It’s also, I believe, a bit misguided.

The overall feel of the book for me is someone trapping me in a room until I get it. I agree that God does not want us to waste our life. I agree that we should pursue God with our heart, mind, soul and strength. I just don’t compare that pursuit to having a”war-time mindset”. Nor do I think that the “blazing center” of God’s glory is Christ’s “blood-soaked cross”. It’s not that the cross is not important I just find it not the full picture of God’s glory in Christ. Maybe I’m mistaken but I don’t remember many references to the resurrection of Christ in this book. I would think when we speak of God’s glory in Christ the resurrection should be at least as prominent as the cross.
I agree with John with his critiques of the prosperity gospel. I agree with him that many lives are wasted “simply avoiding badness and providing for the family”. That following Jesus is risky and difficult. But I don’t approach it from a “war-time mindset”. This worldview fails to embody the mindset I find in the gospels. Sure, that mindset fits with his views on Paul and how he interrupts Paul but I just don’t find this being how Christ viewed the world or the view Christ wanted others to have of the world.

I think his approach to religious pluralism seems a bit outdated. It doesn’t address the real questions of billions of people dying and living in eternal torment based on a decision that I would say is based more out of where you were born than anything else. His “no-God” diatribe isn’t useful to many young adults whom are seeking to connect Christ to cultures other than the American culture. That mentality seems like police interrogations that force folks to confess things that are not true. You keep pounding people long enough with hell and eventually they believe in Christ to avoid hell. That seems the exact opposite of what don’t waste your life is about.(less)

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Aug 20, 2012 Bill rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-life, audio-books

I love the no-holding-back challenge of this book! Piper says the only way any person can not waste their life is to live a life of glorifying God by enjoying and displaying his glory. I was confronted many times to question whether I am living with a passion to display the greatness of God in all the spheres of life. Am I choosing comfort and avoiding risk? Am I living gladly to make others glad in God? Do I work (my job) to make much of Jesus? Is my life counting in the task of reaching those...more

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Nov 19, 2010 David rated it 4 of 5 stars

John Piper is a good motivator. He starts out telling how God got ahold of him as a young man and lead him down the path that he's on now. Piper calls the reader to a life of faith and in that avoid what the title suggests. Here are some excerpts:

"What does it mean to glorify God?...It’s more like the word magnify…like a telescope, you make something unimaginably great look like what it really is…Magnifying God like that is worship."

Boasting in the cross happens when you are on the cross..."I’ve...more John Piper is a good motivator. He starts out telling how God got ahold of him as a young man and lead him down the path that he's on now. Piper calls the reader to a life of faith and in that avoid what the title suggests. Here are some excerpts:

"What does it mean to glorify God?...It’s more like the word magnify…like a telescope, you make something unimaginably great look like what it really is…Magnifying God like that is worship."

Boasting in the cross happens when you are on the cross..."I’ve been crucified with Christ [so I am dead]...And the life I now live in the flesh [so, yes, I am alive, but it isn’t the same “I” as the “I” who died] I live by faith in the Son of God..."

Daily Christian living is daily Christian dying…to take up our cross daily the way Jesus commanded, is to embrace this life of loss for Christ’s sake and count it gain.

Untold numbers of professing Christians waste their lives trying to escape the cost of love...People go deep with God when the drought comes. That is the way God designed it.

We can risk because of his promises…God does not promise enough food for comfort or life—he promises enough so that you can trust him and do his will.

The issue of money and lifestyle is not a side issue in the Bible. The credibility of Christ in the world hangs on it...Have a “wartime lifestyle” or “wartime mind-set”.

Both pleasure and pain are laced with poison, ready to kill us with the diseases of pride or despair.

Using our possessions in a way that makes the most needy glad in God would save us in more ways than one.

...you dare not choose between the motives to love people and glorify God. They are not separate motives...any good-hearted goal, without the desire to give people eternal joy in God, is condemnation with a kind face. Love always wants what is best for the needy...

This book is a good wake up call to people who have been lulled to sleep, whether Christian or not (myself being one). It's a good reminder to put Christ first and to live by faith no matter what situation we find ourselves in.

God give us the grace to live such a life. (less)

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Jul 14, 2011 Lorna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In order to give the most accurate review, I've included some of my favorite excerpts from the book...I hope they reel you in to a very worthwhile read! I highly recommend Chapter 8 "Making Much of Christ from 8 to 5."

"If you don't people to God for everlasting joy, you don't love. You waste your life." (p. 35)

"...The way we honor Christ in death is to treasure Jesus above the gift of life, and the way we honor Christ in life is to treasure Jesus above life's gifts." (p. 71)

"The world is not im...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Saraí Hernández rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Es un libro lleno de enseñanzas y las notas al final de cada capítulo son una invitación a nuevas lecturas. Mi intención es volverlo a leer con Biblia, cuaderno y marcatexto en mano: todavía hay mucho que puedo sacar de provecho.

Después de la primera lectura de este libro ciertas preguntas que tenía se han respondido a la luz de la Palabra, que constantemente es citada y analizada. Algunos puntos que aprendí, parafraseando y copiando frases del libro, son los siguientes:

*No desperdiciar la vida...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was recommended to me by a very close friend. In fact, out of all her Christian books, she told me that was probably the best one she had. At first, it was hard for me to get into the book especially in the first few chapters that talked about John Piper's life and different theories that were around when he was going through college about theology.

However, once I actually reached the substance of the book (chapter 3 or so) I couldn't put it down. I've read many Christian books in my...more

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Mar 21, 2010 Jay rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What I learned:
1. You/I can not love man or honor God without doing both.
2. You/I Don't waste your life by where you work but how and why you work.
3. The Balance of being a merciful church at home and church planting: The authenticity of each depends much on the authenticity of the other. It is unauthentic to presume to send what we don't have and unauthentic to have a treasure and not send it.
4. God is most glorified in us when we are satisfied in him.

Summary: pg 177: You don't have to be a mi...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Tiffany rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

John Piper has become my new favorite Christian authors for many reasons- one of which is that he makes all of his books available online for FREE! Check out www.desiringgod.com for all of the resources. Don't Waste Your Life was written quite a few years before David Platt's Radical and has the same themes woven throughout. As Christians, our lives are meant to be lived FULLY for Jesus. The way to ensure you waste your life is spending all of your time, talents, and treasures on earthly pursuit...more

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Mar 02, 2011 Noai Leidenfrost rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Amazing! everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy and be challenged by this book. Life changing

some quotes:
"God created me - and you - to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion - namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life." - p31

The opposite of wasting your life is to live by a single, soul-satisfying passion for the supremacy of God in all things." - p43

"the people that make a durable difference in the...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Debra rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

I can't bring myself to finish this book. I don't want to waste my life on reading it.

While I think the idea of the message is good, the actual message and delivery is not. I found it difficult to understand in places and very repetitive. I'm pretty sure it's geared toward new young Christians, but there are so many other books that do a better job at presenting this message.

I was also feeling a sort of condemnation or legalism that I couldn't quite put my finger on to explain until I read someo...more

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Dec 08, 2008 Rodger rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Piper is at his best explaining why God put us here in the first place. The title is a negative way of saying, Be Sure Your Life Counts."

Even though it is a short book, don't plan on a fast read. Savor it and take time to meditate on your single passion to live for.

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Jul 12, 2009 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: faith

I finished this a while back and haven't reviewed it because I am still processing it. This book was given to me in Feb 2005 while we are in Oman. I read a couple of chapters and then put it on my bedside table (after we returned to Texas, it went on my current bedside table that has stood in five apt/house since then). The other day I just had the desire to read it and was so glad that I did.
JP isn't the best writer and kinda has a CS Lewis quality of stating something very deep in easy to und...more

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Jun 15, 2011 DeAnna Morris rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

John Piper says alot to make his point. He is a little more wordy than I care for, however, I rather enjoyed this book. My take away is his continual reminder that my life is meant to bring God glory. My struggle has been to find out HOW God wants me to bring Him the most glory. John Piper calls the reader to find what your God given purpose is, do it, and that is how you will glorify God. I have been inspired to continue to seek God's direction in this particular season of my life and will cont...more

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