God at Work: Living Every Day with Purpose

by Ken Costa

<div><br/><div>As an investment banker in the City of London, Ken Costa has read The Financial Times and The Bible almost every day for thirty years. But there is a widespread view that God and business just do not mix. The competitive, cut throat demands of the marketplace are seen as the obvious enemy of Christian compassion and love.</div><br/><div> </div><br/><div>To Ken Costa the God who created and sustains the world is also the God of the workplace. If the Christian faith is not relevant to the work place it is not relevant at all.</div><br/><div> </div><br/><div>Without a value based architecture, the market economy is weak at its foundations. To be a Christian in the world today is therefore not comfortable. We will be left challenged and uneasy as we are constantly prodded by the Holy Spirit to question the ways in which the market economy  serves the Christian objectives of justice and fairness. Our task is distinctive as we live our lives as witnesses of the Judaeo Christian values which undergird so much of the market economy.</div><br/><div> </div><br/><div>Such sentiments will surprise many people. But this book is packed with surprises. It is also packed with real-life case studies of ethical dilemmas in business which bring the author`s arguments forcefully to life.</div><br/><div> </div><br/><div>This book will satisfy a deep seated gap in the literature of business practice. It will appeal to Christians of all denominations but will go beyond that to compel the interest of anyone who takes the Bible seriously, even if they rarely go to Church.</div></div>>

Genres: Christian, Religion, Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Faith, Personal Development

Paperback

First published May 19, 2007

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view on what it means to be a Christian in the workplace.

[Tamika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer I read the first four chapters, not the entire book. It's just not complete enough for me and the use of scripture is questionable. For example, the author will say something like, " We often think X is like this, but it's not," then give no proper explanation of what X is supposed to be. Since this happened often with business examples, I guess it's something you're supposed to infer with your business knowledge. But as a person having only worked hard labor jobs and is just starting my own business, I was lost. Similarly, the use of scripture seems to be the same. He'll make biblical statements or elude to biblical principles, but not cite the scripture. Conversely, the scriptures cited are usually the "common" ones that most people know. While his testimony is good, his advice seems to be more from him than the bible. Some of his steps or advice are clearly what work for him personally. While others are just not biblically sound. It's not all bad, but I gave it a two out of five because in addition to what I stated above, I would not recommend this to someone new to Christianity. The Ambition and Life Choices chapter is particularly misleading.

[Johannes]

Is God interested in our work? Many people do not see God as a 24/7 God, but as a withdrawn actor confined to a Sunday show with a declining audience. There is a widespread view that God and work simply don’t mix: the competitive, cut-throat demands of the working world are seen as the obvious enemy of Christian compassion and love. But the God who created and sustains the world is also the God of the workplace. If the Christian faith is not relevant in the workplace, it is not relevant at all,' writes Ken Costa, in his book God at Work (see also godatwork.org.uk).

For over forty years, Ken has been living out his faith on the frontline of Christian ministry – in the ‘secular’ workplace in the City of London. And he sees that as his primary calling as a Christian. Whatever kind of work you are called to, it will probably occupy a large proportion of your life. Work is an important part of God’s ‘economy’. It is part of what you were created to do, and will be part of what you do in heaven. Work has an intrinsic value. The Bible has a lot to say on the subject of our work.

[Lisa Titley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a moment to connect with this book, but once I reframed it as a mentorship letter from Ken Costa to a younger believer navigating work and calling, it clicked. Through that lens, I appreciated the wisdom and encouragement woven into every chapter. Ken shares personal stories with the heart of someone who wants you to learn from his journey—and avoid a few pitfalls along the way. His love for Jesus is evident throughout, making this a valuable read for Christians seeking to honour God in their professional life.

[KH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really finish it but it was good and insightful. I think I should have read this in my twenties and it would have helped me to avoid many pitfalls in my career and life.

[William Goh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ken does a great job to make this a valuable, practical book for the workplace. Worth reading.

[Bill Pence · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Ken Costa shares what he has learned about doing his work for the Lord from his experiences gained while working more than forty years working in finance. Throughout this helpful book he shares many stories – both his own and from others - that illustrate his points. He writes that he has found that the God who created and sustains the world is also the God of the workplace. He states that if the Christian faith is not relevant in the workplace, it is not relevant at all.
He asks what role Christians have to play in reasserting the values of Christ in our workplaces. He states that many work without joy in their work. One of his purposes for the book is to explore ways of recovering it.
He addresses the subject of love in the workplace, something that is not often spoken of. He states that love remains the key inheritance of faith and the missing jewel of happiness in the modern workplace. He hopes that the book will in a small way also help to recover the value and power of love at work.
The author states that all through the Bible, God is seen as a worker, and that just as God works, so each of us is made in order to work too. We are made in his image and God also commands us to work and to serve through our work.
He writes that people often portray church workers as being involved in sacred work, while he as a banker is involved in secular work. But he says that nothing could be further from the truth. He writes that we need to put away the view that there is a religious pecking order in God’s sight where bishops rank ahead of bankers and ordained clergy ahead of computer programmers. He states that Paul drew no distinction between hard spiritual work and hard work in the workplace. No, the apostle used the same words to discuss manual labor as he did apostolic service. The author states that the reality is that all jobs are equal.
He writes that perhaps the ultimate overarching purpose for work is to worship God in and through our work. We should be content from the knowledge that we are working for God in what he has called us to do. We should complete the task he has set for us and so to reflect Jesus in our God-given callings.
He writes a lot about the 2008-09 global financial crisis, and includes an appendix titled “The Moral Spirit in Light of the Financial Crisis”.

[Stanley Harder · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I wouldn't have given to have this book 40 years ago! I have found no other book that explains what I've been looking for for the past 10 years, like this book explains the interface of God and work. Of all the people I have asked over the past 10 years not one has given me a comprehensive answer that I could apply about how to practice my faith while at work, without being pushy, preachy, or pathetic. Answers abound from "just tell it like it is", "you can't talk about your faith", " you have to just love everybody", to "just show them without words." What does all that mean? Ken Costa explains it in real and practical terms so even I can understand.

[Ryleigh Cheese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I agree with Mr Costa and confess that I too, compartmentalise my life into the secular and the sacred, which as the book has pointed out, a big mistake. I love how this book combines bible wisdom and applied it to work situations we often face. I especially love chapter 7: Failure, Disappointment, And Hope - the part talking about the unforced rhythms of grace.

Illuminating. I really enjoyed reading this.

I hope to be able to bring this mindset to work when I start my new job. Thank you Mr Ken Costa.

[Matt McAlear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good principles for the most part. The book seemed very opinionated to me about the best way to do things without much research or backing. Most of the book is mainly one guys opinion with a little scripture thrown in here and there. If nothing else if does give you another perspective to think about.

[Nic B · Rating 2 out of 5]

The takeaways were good and the book is left with several highlighted spots but I was hoping for more from the book. A lot of the material is what I know but said by the author in a much more intelligent manner. Glad I read the book but not likely one I'd pick up to read again.

[Oluwakemi Tytler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read.

This book emphasizes the fact that you cannot separate your work life from your personal life because your work life itself is part of your personal life. This book does a good job of showing highlighting such lesson.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on leadership and work-life balance.

[jeff mcwilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

A wonderful insight for any Christian that works in the marketplace. It is our mission field. Inspirational words at a time needed.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with straightforward wisdom.