Take God to Work

2006 INDIES Finalist
Finalist, Career (Adult Nonfiction)

For many, work is just another four-letter word, the cause of much stress and aggravation and precious little else. The relentless pursuit of success and fulfillment leaves many people feeling empty and unfulfilled. Such was the case for the author: with executive positions at such companies as Lionel Trains, Oneida, and Pratt’s Hollow Advisors, Moreau seemingly had it all—a big house, exotic vacations, and the respect of peers, employees, and strangers alike. Unfortunately, that all came crashing down during the late ’90s, when he lost his position and was faced with the question: “Without my job, who am I?”

Moreau, who has written other books about ethics and faith in the executive suite, examines in this volume the negative consequences of an increasingly competitive and cutthroat workplace, including job stress, isolation, overload, injustice, disappointment, prejudice, and uncertainty, and, in each of ten chapters, looks to faith and teachings of the Bible for ways turn those negatives into positives. In Chapter Seven, “Overcoming Disappointment,” for example, he says, “Disappointment is a fact of life for all of us. And because of the nature of the environment and the stakes involved, the workplace, in particular, brings each of us more disappointment than we’d like.”

Although disappointment can offer the opportunity to grow, he continues, it can also lead to feelings of bitterness and futility. Instead, he proposes, Christians can use disappointment to help them develop character through the lesson of humility, because “no one likes to be around someone who has let their blessings go to their head. … That is why humility is so important to faith. Arrogance not only separates us from other people, it also puts a barrier between us and God. Humility is the hammer that breaks down that wall.”

Using Biblical quotations to illustrate his points (in Chapter Seven, for example, Moreau cites passages from Matthew, Corinthians, and Deuteronomy, among others) he succeeds in offering food for thought, a way to look inward to turn obvious negatives into occasions for improvement. Moreau also offers many personal anecdotes from his life at work and outside of it. For readers looking to affirm their faith, this book is an obvious choice, but it offers value to non-Christian workers as well. The final chapter of Take God to Work nicely sums up its overall message: “Who we are, not what we accomplish, is what really matters. And what we do speaks volumes about the real person inside.”

Reviewed by Vicki Gervickas

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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