Monday, 24 June 2019

Live Like You Give A Damn,
Tom Sine, Cascade Books, 2016
Chapter 7, "Imagine Living on Purpose Today" (pp. 144-166), page 157

Recently, I have been reading this book by Tom Sine, endorsed with a foreword by Walter Brueggemann. While I don't agree with everything that he says, it has been quite a compelling read. I have got through it quicker than some (shorter) books on my reading list!

Among many good things, he makes this interesting point:

Here it is important for me to define my notion of vocation. I know there are some in the church who would define whatever they do as a job as their Christian vocation. It is true, of course, that all we do, we should do "as unto the Lord." However, I find no biblical basis for assuming, as some do, that whatever one does as a job is automatically one's Christian vocation. In fact, a case could be made that many products and services offered by the firms where many Christians work reflect a very different notion of what is important and of value than is reflected in the mustard seed empire of Jesus. Clearly, it is not only those who are involved in the work of the church who are advancing God's purposes but also those who are directly involved in both human empowerment and environmental restoration.

So what should we say to those who do work for companies whose products and services do not reflect or enhance the kingdom of G-d? Should we say, "recognise that this is not a vocation" and seek one outside work? Or should we go further and say, "You should not be working for this company?"

Is Sine's evaluation of vocation fair and accurate?