What do you think?
Rate this book
Risk Is Right: Better to Lose Your Life Than to Waste It
A choice lies before Either waste your life or live with risk. Either sit on the sidelines or get in the game. After all, life was no cakewalk for Jesus, and he didn’t promise it would be any easier for his followers. We shouldn’t be surprised by resistance and persecution. Yet most of us play it safe.
We pursue comfort. We spend ourselves to get more stuff. And we prefer to be entertained. We are all tempted by the idea of security, the possibility of a cozy Christianity with no hell at the end. But what kind of life is that really? It’s a far cry from adventurous and abundant, from truly rich and really full, and it’s certainly not the heights and the depths Jesus calls us to.
Discover in these pages a foundation for fearlessness. Hear God’s promise to go with you into the unknown. And let Risk Is Right help you see the joys of a faith-filled and seriously rewarding life of Jesus-dependent abandon!
Risk Is Right is a significantly expanded version of a chapter previously published in the book Don't Waste Your Life (chapter 5).
We pursue comfort. We spend ourselves to get more stuff. And we prefer to be entertained. We are all tempted by the idea of security, the possibility of a cozy Christianity with no hell at the end. But what kind of life is that really? It’s a far cry from adventurous and abundant, from truly rich and really full, and it’s certainly not the heights and the depths Jesus calls us to.
Discover in these pages a foundation for fearlessness. Hear God’s promise to go with you into the unknown. And let Risk Is Right help you see the joys of a faith-filled and seriously rewarding life of Jesus-dependent abandon!
Risk Is Right is a significantly expanded version of a chapter previously published in the book Don't Waste Your Life (chapter 5).
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
56 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
John Piper
609 books4,598 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
February 9, 2013
Well Piper has done it again. A great, challenging, Bible saturated, Christ glorifying book that get s to the very heart of being a Christian.
I actually listened to the Audiobook version. Firstly I was challenged by Dr David Platt's forward, that would have been enough, really, but then Piper works through examples of Biblical characters, and the risks they took - not knowing what the outcome would be, but trusting God to do his will in their lives - whatever the outcome.
The book was quite short, so I was surprised, but as we find many influential writers in their later years have huge impact with smaller simpler easier-to-digest books. And the book is no exception.
Buy it for your self, buy it for your spouse or friend or small group leader to encourage them to step out in faith (take a risk) for the sake of the advancement of the glory of God.
Ebook - http://www.christianbook.com/Christia...
MP3 Audio download - http://christianaudio.com/risk-is-rig...
Another well respected review of this book - http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/...
I actually listened to the Audiobook version. Firstly I was challenged by Dr David Platt's forward, that would have been enough, really, but then Piper works through examples of Biblical characters, and the risks they took - not knowing what the outcome would be, but trusting God to do his will in their lives - whatever the outcome.
The book was quite short, so I was surprised, but as we find many influential writers in their later years have huge impact with smaller simpler easier-to-digest books. And the book is no exception.
Buy it for your self, buy it for your spouse or friend or small group leader to encourage them to step out in faith (take a risk) for the sake of the advancement of the glory of God.
Ebook - http://www.christianbook.com/Christia...
MP3 Audio download - http://christianaudio.com/risk-is-rig...
Another well respected review of this book - http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/...
January 7, 2017
The great thing I take from this book is an interpretation of "In this, we are more than conquerors..." IN this refers to the "being slaughtered like sheep". It is not apart from this, but IN this that we are more than conquerors. But he asks, "What is more than a conqueror". And answer: A conqueror destroys his enemy. Someone who is more than a conqueror makes his enemy work for him. And he then goes on to quote 2 Corinthians 4:17 : "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison". Affliction is no longer our enemy, but works for us an eternal weight of glory.
If it wasn't for that part, it would've been 3/5, but this is so worth 1 star!
If it wasn't for that part, it would've been 3/5, but this is so worth 1 star!
November 8, 2023
bread and butter john piper. what happens when the people of god try to live their lives in the mirage of safety? wasted lives.
December 26, 2020
Short, passionate book with a clear biblical call to live (and die) for Christ.
December 13, 2012
It took me almost nothing to finish the book, and it’s not only because of the lenght, but because of the content and the easy language John uses to explain the topic.
Starting with de definition of Risk in everybody’s life, and going through many biblical examples, like Esther’s running the risk to enter the throne room without being called by the King in favor of her people. Although God holds our lives and our future, we don’t know exactly what is happening and then risk is everything what is left.
Piper quotes Bonhoeffer who wrote in a letter to the christians in Germany, back when it was under Hitler’s rule:
To delay or fail to make decisions may be more sinful than to make wrong decisions out of faith and love. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
With many other examples, Risk is Right is a book filled with encouragement to leave our safety zone, which by the way doesn’t exist but most of the times is what hinders our boldness to take what it takes to accomplish God’s will in our lives. We must take risks for the cause of God, not for heroism or to earn God’s favor.
In the other half of the book, Piper deals with the suffering in the christian life: is it right to suffer? And in the end and personally I’m agree with the explanations given, which would may not fit with someone’s “theology” but at the end they show the love, promises and victory of God over every circumstance.
I really recommend this book, it contains a message that I believe must be heard in these times, from the youngest to the older, in and out the church. It’ll change your perspective about going further no matter what.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book for free from Crossway trough NetGalley for an honest review.
Starting with de definition of Risk in everybody’s life, and going through many biblical examples, like Esther’s running the risk to enter the throne room without being called by the King in favor of her people. Although God holds our lives and our future, we don’t know exactly what is happening and then risk is everything what is left.
Piper quotes Bonhoeffer who wrote in a letter to the christians in Germany, back when it was under Hitler’s rule:
To delay or fail to make decisions may be more sinful than to make wrong decisions out of faith and love. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
With many other examples, Risk is Right is a book filled with encouragement to leave our safety zone, which by the way doesn’t exist but most of the times is what hinders our boldness to take what it takes to accomplish God’s will in our lives. We must take risks for the cause of God, not for heroism or to earn God’s favor.
In the other half of the book, Piper deals with the suffering in the christian life: is it right to suffer? And in the end and personally I’m agree with the explanations given, which would may not fit with someone’s “theology” but at the end they show the love, promises and victory of God over every circumstance.
I really recommend this book, it contains a message that I believe must be heard in these times, from the youngest to the older, in and out the church. It’ll change your perspective about going further no matter what.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book for free from Crossway trough NetGalley for an honest review.
October 20, 2020
Quick read, but a powerful reminder of the reality of eternity and the worthiness of Christ. A wake up call from the “myth of safety” and “enchantment of security” we can easily live in.
Using both Old Testament and New Testament examples, John Piper examines what it means to risk our lives rightly — because of faith in the “all-providing, all-ruling, all-satisfying Son of God, Jesus Christ” — not because of “heroism, the lust for adventure, the courage of self-reliance, or the need to earn God’s good will.”
Using both Old Testament and New Testament examples, John Piper examines what it means to risk our lives rightly — because of faith in the “all-providing, all-ruling, all-satisfying Son of God, Jesus Christ” — not because of “heroism, the lust for adventure, the courage of self-reliance, or the need to earn God’s good will.”
January 8, 2019
“The power and the motive behind taking risks for the cause of God is not heroism, or the lust for adventure, or the courage of self-reliance, or the need to earn God’s good will, but rather faith in the all-providing, all-ruling, all-satisfying Son of God, Jesus Christ. In this way, risk reflects God’s value, not our valor.”
February 17, 2023
Short little 50 page read. So good though. Very much like don’t waste your life- giving me lots of good things to contemplate!!
August 16, 2025
A helpful reminder that all happens according to His will. I'm dissatisfied with John's promise to dispel the illusion of security, I think that point needed more time in the oven. I liked the framing of risk as "ignorance" towards the future and God making us live like that by design.
July 3, 2023
Excellent and enjoyable read!
The Christian life is risky and it is right.
The Christian life is risky and it is right.
April 17, 2019
Theologically delightful. Wonderfully practical. Splendidly concise.
October 9, 2024
(5/5) super short and to the point but talks about our false senses of safety and risk! And how we can better leverage our lives for the gospel
October 20, 2020
PIPER: [What] empowers us to take risks for the sake of Christ... is not the impulse of heroism, or the lust for adventure, or the courage of self-reliance, or the need to earn God’s favor. It is simple trust in Christ—that in him God will do everything necessary so that we can enjoy making much of him forever. Every good poised to bless us, and every evil arrayed against us, will in the end help us boast only in the cross, magnify Christ, and glorify our Creator.
What a wonderful little book! Help me Lord to take more risks for the sake of your name!
What a wonderful little book! Help me Lord to take more risks for the sake of your name!
September 21, 2021
I’d rather hear Piper than read him. But for its brevity, it’s convincing truth, & the nature of the topic + potential impact = I’d give copies of this away. This is Piper in his pocket, sweet spot.
Some of this material was used in a short sermon series we did on Not wasting our lives. Valuable, deeply thoughtful, but digestible resource for the Church.
Some of this material was used in a short sermon series we did on Not wasting our lives. Valuable, deeply thoughtful, but digestible resource for the Church.
January 16, 2022
Great, easy read! John Piper writes about the importance of making decisions to make much of Jesus! Piper argues that to follow Christ is to take great risks!
March 24, 2023
Short excerpt of a book based on "Don't Waste Your Life" but a helpful reminder that risk is necessary in the Christian life.
January 23, 2023
Super succinct arguments from scripture on why to risk for God’s glory. Would be easy to hand to a student.
November 13, 2024
Super short, but solid.
April 11, 2022
Re-reading this chapter (the most convicting, in my opinion) of JP's larger book, Don't Waste Your Life. "Losing life is not always the same as wasting it... It may not be loving to choose comfort or security when something great may be achieved for the cause of Christ and for the good of others."
December 24, 2024
A shorter and summarized version of Piper’s larger work “Don’t waste your life.” Both are worthwhile.
February 2, 2020
This is a powerful message. I’m thankful for it. It’s a short, quick read but it cuts very deep. Couldn’t recommend more highly.
January 2, 2020
Challenging Read
I used the word challenging not to say that the book was hard to read. It’s actually a short book. The book is challenging because of what it calls its readers to do. Take risks. It worked out that I read this short book at the start of a new year and I’m glad for the timing as I can consider what risks God is calling me to take in the coming year.
I used the word challenging not to say that the book was hard to read. It’s actually a short book. The book is challenging because of what it calls its readers to do. Take risks. It worked out that I read this short book at the start of a new year and I’m glad for the timing as I can consider what risks God is calling me to take in the coming year.
December 19, 2013
If you have listened to John Piper, or read his earlier works like Don’t Waste Your Life, you will quickly grasp the heart behind this short and direct little book. Piper calls on believers in Christ to let go of the mirage of safety in order to attempt the kind of gospel work that might result in glorious success.
While Piper understands that some risks are foolish and obviously wrong, putting yourself at risk of danger or hardship for the sake of the gospel is right. Piper shows us through brief looks at history, the Old Testament, and the New Testament that it has always been the part of believers to put their lives or their comforts on the line in order to see the will of God accomplished.
This little book is simple and encouraging. I would certainly recommend it to anyone thinking about the dangers of missions or the potential hardships of stepping out in faith and sharing the gospel.
I received a free audio copy of this book through ChristianAudio.com’s reviewers’ program. Though I actually read most of this book in the free PDF that Desiring God offers, I did listen to enough of the audio recording to know that this work meets ChristianAudio.com’s high standards.
While Piper understands that some risks are foolish and obviously wrong, putting yourself at risk of danger or hardship for the sake of the gospel is right. Piper shows us through brief looks at history, the Old Testament, and the New Testament that it has always been the part of believers to put their lives or their comforts on the line in order to see the will of God accomplished.
This little book is simple and encouraging. I would certainly recommend it to anyone thinking about the dangers of missions or the potential hardships of stepping out in faith and sharing the gospel.
I received a free audio copy of this book through ChristianAudio.com’s reviewers’ program. Though I actually read most of this book in the free PDF that Desiring God offers, I did listen to enough of the audio recording to know that this work meets ChristianAudio.com’s high standards.
January 1, 2020
A great explanation and presentation of the biblical act of righteous risk-taking. Short and succinct, bold and powerful.
July 28, 2019
For what it is--an extremely brief but compelling thought that Piper flushes out in an articulate argument--Risk is Right is well worth the time. For anyone who claims to walk in Christ's model, this succinct pamphlet is a reminder to avoid a life of comfort and to act in love, regardless of the consequences. The only request I would make is for Piper to ask for a sequel, to explain what risking might mean in concrete terms.
April 8, 2017
Would've definitely liked this book more if it wasn't so short!
May 5, 2017
Can be read in one sitting and provides an excellent biblical argument to live for the cause of Christ, rather than wasting it.
August 10, 2019
If you’ve heard Piper preach on the topic of risk, this is a good review of what he’s preached. Still a good read.
February 14, 2021
3 stars [Christian Praxis]
(W: 3, U: 2.75, T: 2.83)
Exact rating: 2.86
#33 of 51 in genre
Piper delivers a short book on risk as it relates to magnifying God. Its prose was above average; the book length aided that rating, but on the other hand reduced its utility. It was not long enough to entertain alternate positions (e.g., "waiting for God" of other writers contra his general thrust of "just do something, and 'may the Lord do what seems best to Him'").
Its truth was uncommon [3], but attenuated somewhat by using a bit of [the more-than-slightly-flawed] Bonhoeffer in Chapter 2, and perhaps missing a more accurate parallel in the final chapter. There, Piper likens "being more than a conqueror" with not only defeating an enemy, but subjugating him—fairly reasoned, especially considering historical contextualization. But then Piper equates this with merely staying faithful to Christ when missionary praxis (a topic Piper is not unfamiliar with) would render greater explanatory power. Strength under persecution actually turning, converting, and catalyzing a Movement of God would better exposit Piper's proposed idea of subjugation. An apostolic interpretation eclipses a soteriological one here.
(W: 3, U: 2.75, T: 2.83)
Exact rating: 2.86
#33 of 51 in genre
Piper delivers a short book on risk as it relates to magnifying God. Its prose was above average; the book length aided that rating, but on the other hand reduced its utility. It was not long enough to entertain alternate positions (e.g., "waiting for God" of other writers contra his general thrust of "just do something, and 'may the Lord do what seems best to Him'").
Its truth was uncommon [3], but attenuated somewhat by using a bit of [the more-than-slightly-flawed] Bonhoeffer in Chapter 2, and perhaps missing a more accurate parallel in the final chapter. There, Piper likens "being more than a conqueror" with not only defeating an enemy, but subjugating him—fairly reasoned, especially considering historical contextualization. But then Piper equates this with merely staying faithful to Christ when missionary praxis (a topic Piper is not unfamiliar with) would render greater explanatory power. Strength under persecution actually turning, converting, and catalyzing a Movement of God would better exposit Piper's proposed idea of subjugation. An apostolic interpretation eclipses a soteriological one here.
August 10, 2020
It's barely 50 pages, but this book definitely punches above its weight. John Piper does not waste any time convincing you that "Risk is Right". He uses a number of examples of both characters in the Bible who took risks, and he also points to many principles of risks throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament. The ultimate pursuit of human safety and security is an illusion. While Piper does argue for wisdom and against recklessness, he points out the futility of comfort and passivity.
This quote (pg. 47) sums-up the book well. "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 hedonism, 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.
This quote (pg. 47) sums-up the book well. "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 hedonism, 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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews