Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Work and Rest God's Way: A Biblical Guide to Finding Joy and Purpose in All You Do

Rate this book
Do you find joy and purpose in your work?

“Work and Rest God’s Way is a welcome contribution as Christians rediscover the doctrine of vocation in all of its practicality and spiritual richness.”
Dr. Gene Edward Veith—Provost at Patrick Henry College, director of the Cranach Institute at Concordia Theological Seminary, and author of God at Work

We spend an average of 90,000 hours, or about ten years, working. Hopefully, we find such a large investment of time and energy enjoyable and fulfilling, but for many people, work is the worst part of their day and of their life. In Work and Rest God’s Way, you will:

—Find the blessings God has for you in your labor
—Learn how to put off laziness and put on diligence (both physically and spiritually)
—Discover the quiet, restful life that’s pleasing in God’s sight
—Determine the balance between work and rest for your busy life
—Experience the peace that comes from resting in Jesus

Whether you’re a man or woman, young or old, this book will help you enjoy both work and rest as God intended. Families will also benefit from reading together. As a father of eight, Pastor Scott knows how hard it is to motivate children to work. He shares what has been successful for him and his wife, Katie.

Endorsed by prominent ministry leaders:

“God commands us to work. And God also commands us to rest. Scott LaPierre shows how the Bible discloses the sinfulness of laziness and ‘idleness,’ and he unpacks the contrary Biblical virtue of ‘diligence.’ But he also shows how our relationship to work can become sinful. Workaholism turns work into an addiction that can lead to burnout and idolatry. The Biblical principle of the Sabbath counters those tendencies with physical rest, the cessation of busyness necessary for spiritual devotion, and the life of faith, in which we realize that our salvation comes not by our work, but by resting in Christ. Work and Rest God’s Way is a welcome contribution as Christians rediscover the doctrine of vocation in all of its practicality and spiritual richness.”
Dr. Gene Edward Veith—Provost at Patrick Henry College, director of the Cranach Institute at Concordia Theological Seminary, and author of God at Work
“In Work and Rest God’s Way Scott LaPierre wonderfully reconciles the very real tension between work and rest by resisting the celebrated extremes of workaholism and play by relying on the principles and patterns laid out in God’s Word. In an age when so many are sacrificing so much to gain so very little—manifested through materialism on the one hand and hedonism on the other—this book will help you, especially if you’re a young man, navigate this life-altering strait.”
Kirk Smith—Church planter, pastor, and Executive Director for the Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE)
Scott LaPierre has produced a much-needed resource to help our churches and families recognize the blessing and purpose of work. He addresses sloth, the penalty for it and overwork and the need to rest, ultimately finding our rest in Christ.”
Gary Powers—Preaching elder and founder and CEO of Ortho Molecular Products

You’ll learn the right Bible passage for the topics related to work and rest, as well as answers to your important questions:

What does the Bible say about hard work?
Should Christian wives work?
What is the work of a Christian wanting to honor the Lord?

The Christian value of human work is immense because we're serving God. Inside you’ll find the Bible encouragement for work you need to experience joy in your Christian profession.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2020

58 people are currently reading
42 people want to read

About the author

Scott LaPierre

19 books158 followers
Receive a FREE copy of Scott's book, Seven Biblical Insights for Healthy, Joyful, Christ-Centered Marriages!

Scott LaPierre is the teaching pastor of Woodland Christian Church in Woodland, WA, an author, and conference speaker.

Scott's wife, Katie, is also an author, and God has blessed them with ten children. They grew up together in the small town of McArthur, in the mountains of northern California.

After college, Scott served as an Army officer before becoming an elementary school teacher. While teaching, he began working part-time as an associate pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Lemoore, California. When the church grew, he was hired full-time and remained there until moving to Washington.

Scott has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and two master’s degrees, one in education and the other in biblical studies.

Scott spends most of his time with his home and church families. He loves studying and teaching God’s Word. The free time he has is usually committed to reading and writing.

Scott's books come from his sermons, which take twenty-to-thirty hours of work each week. This means each book contains hundreds of hours of study in God’s Word.

Subscaribe to Scott's subscribing to my newsletter to learn more about him and follow his ministry.

If Scott can pray for you in any way, please contact him.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
30 (68%)
4 stars
12 (27%)
3 stars
1 (2%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Quirkyreader.
1,629 reviews7 followers
July 22, 2020
There are many different flavours and sects of Christianity. So always keep an open mind and read books from as many denominations as possible.

I was given this ARC by the author to review. Thank you Scott.

First off, I highlighted the dickens out of this book. It brings up thoughts and ideas that commonly come up in our lives.

And it also reminded me that as a woman, the story of Mary and Martha will always follow me and never be resolved. That theme started to crop up in my life this past winter.

What this book mostly brings up is our working and service to God. And what you should be thinking about is, is my service actually for God, or is it for other reasons?

This book is a good conversation starter for yourself and for everyone that you know that has read it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rachel.
60 reviews10 followers
January 7, 2021
If you are seeking clarity in understanding what God’s Word actually says about work, rest, and our attitude towards them, you will find this book an excellent guide. Scott LaPierre explores scripture with depth, simplicity, and just plain clarity. This book will be a particular help to you if you have struggled to understand or have been confused about what God wants of you. As well as clearing up the misconceptions surrounding the topic of work and rest, this book is also very convicting. While “Work and Rest God’s Way” won’t give you a black and white solution to balancing work and rest, it will allow you to better listen to and seek what God would have you do with your time, using scripture.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Matthew James Elliott.
Author 27 books52 followers
Read
July 27, 2020
Scott has always been a fantastic writer. I am always intrigued by the biblical connections he weaves through out the pages of his books. The lessons I am remind of are always good ones that I need to be reminded of. This book continues that tradition and I am proud to say I learned a few good lessons from reading the pages of this book. Sometimes we forget the importance of balance in our lives. Scott's newest book helped me remember that. I plan to add more details to this later but, I was certainly impressed yet again. Thanks Scott for always following God's direction in what you bring to us, as your readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1 review
July 24, 2020
Pastor Scott LaPierre does a wonderful job unraveling what the Bible teaches about work and rest - what God meant them to be. The book felt like a very thorough, readily applicable Bible study or devotional. Reading it, I felt convicted and challenged about how I'd been viewing both work and rest. I was left in awe of God's plan for purpose in our lives.
Profile Image for Stacy.
1,003 reviews90 followers
August 6, 2020
Work and rest from a Christian perspective with lots of scripture references. Also addresses laziness and workaholicism. Great food for thought.
2 reviews
July 23, 2020
When I first read the title, “Work and Rest God’s Way” my eyes skipped over the “Work and,” part and focused on “Rest God’s Way” because I felt rest was what I lacked. I didn’t know how to rest.

In an engaging and biblical manner, Scott LaPierre took 12 of the 18 chapters of the book and explained how God views work, diligence, laziness and workaholics. Cutting to the heart of the matter is the question, “What is the motive for physical work?” The conclusion I felt LaPierre reached was we work to honor God.

My favorite discussion was Chapter 5 The Importance of Diligence. The author states, “If we want to stop a certain behavior, there’s a corresponding behavior we must also start.” If we want to repent of laziness, we don’t just put off being lazy, we have to replace the behavior with diligence. He gives several examples in the chapter that I think are well worth the reader’s time to study and take notes.

Spiritual work and spiritual rest were addressed in the remaining six chapters. I believe the message was not legalistic – we don’t serve God to earn salvation. We rest in the fact He has done everything for us, and we show appreciation by leading lives of devotion, quietly serving. I love LaPierre’s statement, “Service is good, but devotion is better.”

I believe ultimately these two sentences sum up the book: Working God’s way means working “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” so He can be exalted,” seeking no credit for ourselves. And “Resting God’s way means resting in the salvation Jesus provided, and that frees us to do the work He has prepared for us.”

For those seeking a balance between work and rest, I would highly recommend this book.
9 reviews
July 23, 2020
This is a great book to help one reach a balance between Work and Rest according to Biblical principles. The book's subtitle, "A Biblical Recipe for Finding Joy and Purpose in All You Do", is a great summary of the book, but a statement found later in the book also describes its teachings very well:
"We must find the right balance between the two [working and resting] in our busy lives if we're going to be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually."

I appreciate how the author uses examples from the Bible and from modern life, and shares his personal testimonies. His example about his wife suggesting he take his kids "down to the lake to spend time with them" is especially instructive as he shares his three arguments against doing it (you'll have to read the book to find out what he did).

I also appreciate his inter-mixing questions in the text. One question that particularly applied to me was:
"When you're supposed to be resting, does your mind return to work?"
I remember many times when I would be sitting at home after the children had gone to bed and think, "I should log into work and see how things are going." Sadly, I did that too many times.

Thank you, Scott, for sharing the insights the Lord gave to you!
111 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2020
This book takes an in-depth view of work and rest, and how those two major aspects of life fit into God’s plan for His children. Taking a broad view of work as any activity where energy and effort is expended, the author shows that the Bible teaches that God created work, and so work is good and a blessing. Our lives have more meaning and value to us when we engage in our work in a godly fashion.

Along those lines, the book examines the negative consequences of laziness, and the opposite problem of workaholism. The book also reviews how work comes into play in marriage, and how a proper view of work benefits both husbands and wives. Strategies are provided for parents to aid them in teaching their children and young adults the value of industrious and productive work.

The author also spends a good amount of the book explaining what rest and sleep are, why God apparently made humans to need rest and sleep, and how to rest in ways that reflect the ways of God, and that do not lead to idleness.

This book is very informative, and mostly stays away from using too many life illustrations, rather it focuses on the Bible and the truths articulated there regarding work and rest. Recommended for all believers, because we all have some type of work we do every day.
Profile Image for Ellen.
707 reviews7 followers
July 22, 2020
Work and rest God's way Is a book that gives you a different perspective on your life, and how you can reverse some things in a better way so that it is consistent with God's word.It determines what the Bible says about some of the things and situations in your life. The writer takes you on a tour of the entire Bible. It makes you think about what and why you do things and what God says about them.A very informative book with many interesting references to God's word and how to apply it in our daily life.The book explains how God views works and laziness and how that sometimes sneaks into your life unnoticed.The writer also explains very well what mental and physical laziness affects your life.It is a very well written book that will certainly give you a deepening in your faith life and your relationships.The author will certainly let you review your spiritual life, a very good edifying Christian book to read
725 reviews11 followers
July 22, 2020
Work and Rest God’s Way is packed full of scripture and Biblical insight. This book is not for passive readers, but for those who want to take time to reflect on those things that are contained between it’s pages. There is a workbook available so I suggest having a highlighter, pen and the book, or paper handy. Yes, I’m old school, but I believe this book begs to be studied, and then applied.

There is a great contrast in the book between how God sees work and rest compared to how we see them. God in His infinite wisdom has given us a perfect balance for both in our lives that lead us to physical and spiritual health. We, as humans, seek temporary satisfaction when He offers fullness of joy in all He commands us to do.

Work and Rest God’s Way could be the life-changing book you’ve been looking for. I recommend it.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Meyers.
Author 3 books17 followers
July 27, 2020
The author does an excellent job tackling the complexities of work and rest from a Biblical and God-honoring perspective. He addresses the subject matter very thoroughly and explains each facet carefully.
This book is appropriate for adults and older children alike. The author uses several examples of his own life experience and the dynamics of a large Christian family.
This clear teaching and presentation could easily be used in a family setting (during homeschool or family devotions) to coach your children on issues of diligence, excellence, laziness, workaholism, and the necessity of rest.
2,056 reviews19 followers
July 23, 2020
A great book to get you started

Scott has done an excellent job of setting out the Scriptural Principles we are to live by regarding Work Life and Rest. He makes some extremely helpful comments on: true repentance; on roles; on how to avoid extremes; on how life is not just about the physical, but the spiritual; and about "sitting at Jesus' feet". I would recommend this revised book.
816 reviews4 followers
Currently reading
July 26, 2020
Very informative

I have to say that this book helped me so much. I read this book and saw how I related to the "lazy person". It made me acknowledge that I have not been my best self. I had to take notes on this book. A lot of information that is pertinent to all areas of your life is in this book. I learned that my beliefs, attitude and my actions need to be in order to be my best self. This is worth buying.

1 review
July 26, 2020
This book is a helpful guide for those who want to study what the Bible has to say about how to spend their 24 hours, each day. Using familiar stories from the Old and New Testament, the author explains God’s plan for people to use their time and talents wisely. The writer explains common pitfalls that can thwart God’s desire for men, women, and children to fulfill their callings.
Profile Image for Dorothy  Scott.
919 reviews4 followers
July 27, 2020
Work and Rest God’s Way helped me focus on the importance of keeping priorities in order. I found the references and Bible verses particularly helpful to balance work and rest. I especially enjoyed the specific examples of how to encourage children to respect the value of work.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6 reviews
July 22, 2020
This helps me to understand how God brings me to work. I use to be a workaholic man but it often leads me to fatigue and burnout. I hope this principle of Sabbath from this book will help many others to understand the vocation in the God's way.
3 reviews
July 25, 2020
by Richard Lattman

A very solid Bible based perspective on the value and purpose of work for His people. Each of us has a purpose, every job is to be done as unto the Lord. A second focus is on every child of God to enter His rest, to operate from a position of trust and dependence on Him.
71 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2020
Great Christian author

It's refreshing to find a Christian author who remains true to the Bible. The verses aren't twisted to fit a theory or suit an audience. I look forward to reading more from this Pastor, and highly recommend this book in particular.
Profile Image for Omitiran-Oguntuase  Adeola.
1 review2 followers
July 26, 2020
Very insightful. Deep and inspiring to finding the right balance God's way. Recommended for all Christians/believers that struggle with fulfilling God's purpose.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1 review
July 27, 2020
A very good and helpful book

The book “Work and Rest God’s Way” by Scott LaPierre is a very good and interesting book where the author is making many important points about how to work and rest God’s way. Step by step he’s walking us through various relevant topics to do with work and rest, like why we should work hard but not overwork, the importance of getting enough sleep and in other ways rest physically, and the need for also resting spiritually.

The Book is structured in a natural and logical way that makes sense. Gradually we’re being led through discussions about various aspects of working and resting God’s way, each chapter leading onto the next one in a natural way and each new chapter having a connection to the previous one.
When it comes to the contents of this book, it is a book with a lot of Scripture references, something I really enjoyed. It’s been very good to see how the author is making many important points to do with work and rest based on the Bible, and I like that he again and again has used plenty of Bible verses to back up the points he’s making. All in all there’s a lot of solid teaching from the Bible here in this book, so as a Christian one can feel instructed, informed and inspired in ones Christian life from reading in this book.

“Work and Rest God’s Way” has also been spiced up with many real-life examples, like from the author’s own experiences, something that was nice to be served as a reader. Some of the most enjoyable examples were about some of the authors own children and how he and his wife are encouraging them to do work and expand their skills in areas they are interested in. In addition to this the book comes with pointers on how to apply the Word of God in each of our lives, like how a husband can work hard to provide for his wife and children, and how wives are “doing a great thing in God’s eyes when they care for their homes and families”, to quote the author himself.

This book has reminded me of the importance of setting boundaries in relation to work and rest, as neither too much working nor too much resting is healthy. It has also reminded me of the need to work diligently and, as the author LaPierre is saying, that: “God rejoices in the seemingly small things we do”. Furthermore, this book about work and rest has also shown me many good points about how we as Christians can be resting in Jesus, who has saved us from the need for trying to become accepted by God. The work Jesus did for us was enough, and now we can rest in his completed work of salvation and his grace.

This book has been really interesting, uplifting and inspirational to read, and I can absolutely recommend it to anyone who wants to read a book about working and resting God’s way.

I was given a free copy of this book by the author and am voluntarily giving a review.

Ruth Kristin Burton, technical translator and writer
Profile Image for Rachel Risner.
Author 7 books4 followers
August 6, 2020
In Scott La Pierre’s newest book, Work and Rest God’s Way, readers find a thorough, Biblical perspective on both work and rest. Scott demonstrates that work is not a curse and that true rest is both physical and spiritual.

Scott walks readers through topics like: laziness, diligence, idleness, workaholism, physical rest, and spiritual rest. Each chapter is written in a pastoral tone—one that speaks with conviction, and yet cares about the reader—with plenty of scriptural backing.

A few highlights include:
• LaPierre points out the danger of both laziness and workaholism, showing that both of these extremes are unwise and unbiblical.
• A clear distinction is made between physical and spiritual rest—with an important emphasis that our bodies need more than physical refreshment, but we need to be spiritually refreshed as well.
• LaPierre is clear that the work of making a home is highly valued—work doesn’t have to be income-producing to be significant and worthwhile.

I appreciate the thorough treatment LaPierre gives—the reader gets a clear understanding of different scriptural passages that speak to a Biblical perspective on work and rest. He debunks our own worldly perspectives that work is a curse and that laziness is appealing, replacing them with Christ-honoring, right thinking.

This book is perfect for anyone wanting to delve more deeply into what scripture teaches about work and rest. I recommend it!
Profile Image for Charity  Bartley Howard.
116 reviews7 followers
July 22, 2020
This is well-written book and thought provoking. When thinking about the subjects of work and rest in the Bible all aspects are addressed. This book is well formatted with chapters addressing the major elements in the Bible discussing work and rest. The wonderful inclusion of Bible verses to go with the thoughts are easy to find in each chapter as well to support the writer's focus of the chapter and book.

This would be a book I recommend as a helpful discussion lesson for families or churches.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
816 reviews4 followers
July 24, 2020
I have to say that this book helped me so much. I read this book and saw how I related to the "lazy" person. It made me acknowledge that I have not been my best self. I had to take notes on this book. A lot of information that is pertinent to all areas of your life is in this book. I learned that my beliefs, attitude and my actions need to be in order to be my best self. This is worth buying.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1 review
July 24, 2020
I have digested this book - firstly because I have at times thought I am a "workaholic"! I have discovered that I am not. A book that is written for the serious believer - and non-believer wanting to hear what God has to say. It is a study, not a light-hearted people pleaser.
I would highly recommend this book and trust that it will enlighten and bless others as much as it has me!
1 review
July 26, 2020
In Work and Rest God's Way the author finds a very sound Biblical balance between work and rest.
His warning against laziness is very sobering and should be taken to heart by every Christian.
I warmly recommend this book as food for thought in an area that doesn't often get covered in such a Biblical way.
I look forward to other books by this author!
1 review
Read
July 26, 2020
In a time when life is so full of unknowns, this book is perfect to settle your heart on what God's original design and plan for us is.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6 reviews
August 25, 2025
This book really was helpful! Thank you Scott LaPierre for the wise advice you gave. I have a fresher outlook outlook on my walk with God. I am trusting Him more and am not as burdened down with worry! I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Robin Morgan.
Author 5 books286 followers
April 14, 2022
These days, regardless of who you are, trying to balance all aspects of your life can be a monumental task. At your job, you might get harried, which merely adds to the pressure you already have from it. You get faced with family life measures at home, making sure everyone is adequately getting cared for. Yet through all of this, one of the most important things you probably want is to find a reason in everything you do, coupled with finding gladness as well.

In regards to us finding joy in the work we do, we need to look to what we read in ECCLESIASTES 3:13 [NKJV]:
“and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.”

This verse reinforced what we read in ECCLESIASTES 2:24 [NKJV]:
“Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.”

If, as a Christian, you’re looking to transform how you look at the combination of your work and rest [family], then this is the book you’re looking for.

PROVERBS 10:4 [NKJV] tells us:

“He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

And according to the book’s description, readers will learn how to put off laziness and put on diligence (both physically and spiritually).

The Lord desires for us to live our lives to the fullest, free of any worries. If you’re in doubt, then read MATTHEW 6:34 [NKJV]

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

To avoid having turmoil in our lives as we balance all aspects of it, especially the work and rest for it, we need to determine what needs to get done. And this book can serve as a guide to do the balancing.

Books which center its contents on Christian family life are quite limited, which is why I found this book to be quite enlightening and a must-read for Christian families; and why I’ve given this endeavor by its author, Scott LaPierre, 5 STARS.
69 reviews
January 25, 2023
I always seem to learn a lot when reading Scott LaPierre's books. During this time of the pandemic, it has obviously slowed me down to not working at all and not knowing when my jobs will start up again. In reading "Work and Rest God's Way: A Biblical Recipe for Finding Joy and Purpose in All You Do", I am finding that there is Biblical evidence that we must find our medium between being lazy and being a workaholic so that we may learn to rest spiritually in Jesus. Neither is good for us and the book explains what a horrible sin laziness is in work and also for us spiritually.

The book takes us through men and women working, but also how to teach kids to work for God instead of for fame and fortune as well as how young people should be examples for those who are younger than them. Scott uses his own family life experience as examples as well as others in showing how this could be done.

I have been going through my own life changes this year and trying to find my new purpose in life due to some life altering events over the past 18 months, so this book comes at a time when I can really use it. It also has been reinforcing some thoughts I've had on how I should go about finding my purpose and I feel that in reading it again in a few weeks or at least going through some notes that I've made will help me to make better decisions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for J. T. K. Tobin.
Author 0 books9 followers
August 10, 2023
At the same time that I am reading (and have now finished) Scott's book, I am also reading "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" by Jordan B. Peterson. Reading both of these books at the same time was a blessing because in Scott's book, I see clarity, purpose, peace, and a mind set on glorifying God. In the other, I see a man, brilliant though he is, that is lost, and desperately confused about what the Bible means. In Scott's book, I see wisdom. In Jordan's, I see incredible academic knowledge, which is useful in many ways, even brilliant, all while missing the forest for the trees on points related to the Bible.

Scott's focuses on God saving us. Jordan's focuses on mankind saving itself. There is a lot more to unpack in Jordan's book - but that will be for another review.

Work and Rest God's Way is a quick and easy read with some real, practical takeaways that can be implemented immediately.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.