THIS new book on work from Chris Gillies benefits from his lifetime of working in the financial-services sector. He has spent more than 40 years in finance, working in many different markets, particularly for Zurich Insurance; and has more than 30 years’ experience as a board member of various charities, including the Children’s Society and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His book synthesises his own rich experience of work with his research and with perspectives from the Bible.

What sold the book to me was that it was described as “quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time” by Richard Higginson. As the founder of Faith in Business, he is the oracle in this field, because he has read every book ever written on the subject. So, on this glowing recommendation, I dived straight in.

The book itself is very readable, with a handy summary section and points for reflection at each chapter end. Part I focuses on the basics, such as using the Bible, addressing selfishness, being fruitful, and the need to keep a focus on God’s work throughout. Part II covers “Biblical role models” from Joseph to Jesus, and profiles forgotten heroes, such as Boaz as the model employer.

Part III tackles a range of knotty topics, from money to ethical decision-making, in which my favourite chapter was on “Balancing the Big Five”. It asks some sharp questions about work-life balance. His Big Five are: time with God, time with family, work time (paid or unpaid), time building community, and time for rest, leisure, and exercise. He encourages readers to analyse how they are spending their time across these activities, to identify where time spent may be out of kilter.

I also really appreciated his wise words on vocation: “the key to finding your special God-given calling is to loosen your grip on the idea that God is calling you to do a specific job.” Charles Eve once called this yearning for the certainty of a highlighted job advert our desire to “grab the steering wheel” instead of letting God drive.

Gillies likewise reminds us to look with soft eyes on the totality of our mission in life, to discern where our work and any particular job fits into the whole. Given that the world of work these days is very non-linear, this is sage advice. At the end of the book, Gillies recommends that we make use of a period of retreat to take stock of our work, to recommit ourselves to our vocation in its totality, and to listen for what God might be saying to us about what we should do next.

Dr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.


On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfilment
Chris Gillies
BRF £12.99
(978-1-80039-239-7)
Church Times Bookshop £11.69