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Loving Monday : Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul
When Peter Jennings and ABC News did a story on John Beckett's company, they found something surprising. They found a company that was a living example of integrity and excellence in the workplace. They reported that this was a company where people could love their work, be people of principle and succeed. Jennings summarized the story for ABC by saying, "They are using the Bible as a guide to business." John Beckett's company uses the same unadorned truth that has guided individuals and civilizations for thousands of years but applies it to today's high-tech, fast-paced, market-driven world. This is a book that brings life work, belief, value, truth, character and joy. John D. Beckett reads the text. Perfect for the busy commuter, these three CDs allow you to listen to Loving Monday on the way to work--a great way to begin your day!
191 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1919
15 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 19, 2008
Excellent book that can be read very easily in an hour and a half. John Beckett does a very nice job of sharing his testimony. Starting with how recognized God at work in his personal life and then allowing God to work in his career! Amazing stuff well worth reading. I wish I had the book longer to place some of the quotes here. But the one thing that I can remember clearly is his statement about Proverbs being the a great book to reference for advice about life, work and family.
February 24, 2020
I finished this book early this year and it's the first business Christian book that I read.
My takeways from this book are:
1. Both secular and sacred calling are from God. It's the same, wherever we are came from the Lord.
2. Thrive on where you are. If we keep on pushing ourselves out of our current job then we won't be able to serve God and our community with our all.
3. No matter how many destructions and detours we faced in our work/business, there'll always be a greener pastures elsewhere. Seek to find it.
4. Glorifying the Lord at work will make a lasting influence and impact to others in the right time. Keep at it.
I look forward to read more books about business and entrepreneurship in the future
My takeways from this book are:
1. Both secular and sacred calling are from God. It's the same, wherever we are came from the Lord.
2. Thrive on where you are. If we keep on pushing ourselves out of our current job then we won't be able to serve God and our community with our all.
3. No matter how many destructions and detours we faced in our work/business, there'll always be a greener pastures elsewhere. Seek to find it.
4. Glorifying the Lord at work will make a lasting influence and impact to others in the right time. Keep at it.
I look forward to read more books about business and entrepreneurship in the future
June 8, 2017
By and large, I love this book. I love how it encourages those of us in the secular workplace that we don't have to drop everything and go into full time ministry; we can and should minister where we are, and perhaps that is where God has called us to. This was a game changer for me.
I would just love to see more of how this applies to those who may not work in either ministry or the "normal" workplace- e.g. freelancing, MLM, etc. (the former being one thing I'm personally looking to expand on). I feel like it could be updated a bit in that regard as work changes and the world becomes even more global and less tied to traditional workplaces and processes.
I would just love to see more of how this applies to those who may not work in either ministry or the "normal" workplace- e.g. freelancing, MLM, etc. (the former being one thing I'm personally looking to expand on). I feel like it could be updated a bit in that regard as work changes and the world becomes even more global and less tied to traditional workplaces and processes.
Want to read
August 17, 2024Total Truth
February 17, 2016
Self-described as a book on “succeeding in business without selling your soul,” this is the very readable account of John Becket, the CEO of RW Becket Co. in Elyria, OH, the largest manufacturer of residential oil burners in the world. He begins by telling his personal story, his search for faith (he was raised in the Episcopal church), realizing that all work is sacred and his was “called to business”, and his eventual commitment to faith in Christ. Telling his story around an ABC/Peter Jennings report his company was part of on Faith in the Workplace, Becket moves back in forth in time to discuss the foundations of his life and faith, then focusing on Western culture and the Greek philosophy that tainted our worldview (he apologizes for this part of the book, although it is presented rather well). In the Applications section of the book, he begins to identify how foundational truths (all centered in the Bible) can be applied in business settings. Finally, in the Wrap-Up, he speaks expressly about the implications of these principles for business, including a specific explanation of how saving faith in Christ has the power to transform individuals and thus the businesses in which they work.
A very interesting and insightful book. I did note a few areas of disagreement with him - notably that we “lose” God’s grace when we ask for more than He intends to give us. He also has a quote from Ken Lay (pre-Enron debacle) that seems to ring a bit hollow in the face of later events. Still, a very excellent book. This quote near the end of the book makes his point well:
“Work is a high calling, not secondary in value. We should endeavor to stay within our areas of gifting, within the spheres we’ve been allotted. Work takes on an added dignity as we regard each person we contact in business with great respect, and as we function in a framework of excellence and integrity. It is essential that our success never be at the expense of our soul. There is more to consider than the bottom line. The norms and values rooted in the Bible can serve as a compass in this regard, on seas that can be turbulent and treacherous. A sense of purpose emerges as we look for opportunities to serve one another in our work, and as we strive to be responsible stewards of resources committed to our care. Our vocations are much more apt to be a delight when our priorities are right, with proper place given to our relationship with God and with our families.” (p. 162).
A very interesting and insightful book. I did note a few areas of disagreement with him - notably that we “lose” God’s grace when we ask for more than He intends to give us. He also has a quote from Ken Lay (pre-Enron debacle) that seems to ring a bit hollow in the face of later events. Still, a very excellent book. This quote near the end of the book makes his point well:
“Work is a high calling, not secondary in value. We should endeavor to stay within our areas of gifting, within the spheres we’ve been allotted. Work takes on an added dignity as we regard each person we contact in business with great respect, and as we function in a framework of excellence and integrity. It is essential that our success never be at the expense of our soul. There is more to consider than the bottom line. The norms and values rooted in the Bible can serve as a compass in this regard, on seas that can be turbulent and treacherous. A sense of purpose emerges as we look for opportunities to serve one another in our work, and as we strive to be responsible stewards of resources committed to our care. Our vocations are much more apt to be a delight when our priorities are right, with proper place given to our relationship with God and with our families.” (p. 162).
December 17, 2009
John Beckett's story of his faith growing as the demands of the business he took over from his father grew.
He explains how he has been led to integrate his Christian faith into the way he does business.
"Life, when it becomes an unforgiving anvil against which lessons are hammered home, can devastate and dishearten; but that same anvil can also forge character and produce hope."
He learned that Biblical insights could be instrumental in shaping his company's policies and practices.
The book of Proverbs is a goldmine for businessmen.
He explains how he has been led to integrate his Christian faith into the way he does business.
"Life, when it becomes an unforgiving anvil against which lessons are hammered home, can devastate and dishearten; but that same anvil can also forge character and produce hope."
He learned that Biblical insights could be instrumental in shaping his company's policies and practices.
The book of Proverbs is a goldmine for businessmen.
August 7, 2016
Good road map
There are no guarantees for success in business. But success in life can be achieved by reading the Roadmap of life. Biblical processes are often used without realizing them in business. Honesty, integrity are good examples of good business practice. Beckett describes a biblical centrality to all that he does along with a bold statement of faith in all aspects of life. Committed Christian faith and good business practice prove to be not only compatible but integral to wholeness of life from the boss to the night watchman.
There are no guarantees for success in business. But success in life can be achieved by reading the Roadmap of life. Biblical processes are often used without realizing them in business. Honesty, integrity are good examples of good business practice. Beckett describes a biblical centrality to all that he does along with a bold statement of faith in all aspects of life. Committed Christian faith and good business practice prove to be not only compatible but integral to wholeness of life from the boss to the night watchman.
April 19, 2008
The author of this book is a business owner from Ohio. He offers encouraging notes on how to operate a business along biblical principles in this book (and also in the audio book I'm listening to: Mastering Monday). And he has proven that it works. This book has motivated me to want to learn more from godly business leaders. I really enjoyed the personal stories he shared and the honest insight.
January 25, 2018
There was no indication that this was going to be a religious book when I purchased it. I wish I would have known as I wouldn't have purchased it. The religion permeated throughout the book and I ended up not finishing the book because it was so biased. There was very little business in the book, everything was preaching about church and the Bible. If you are looking for a book on how to suceed in business, I recommend avoiding this book.
May 21, 2014
This book is beautifully written. It's a wonderful and useful material not only for business leaders, but for anyone working in a management position, or for people looking for ways to incorporate their faith into their work. Definitely a worthwhile read. I will most likely revisit this book again and again for future references and questions.
August 4, 2012
Great book. Very much enjoyed it and it was very practical.
Read
May 22, 2014It was an ok book for me. It was often a little to preachy/generic for me but I love learning about the ways Beckett interwove Christianity in to the workplace.
Want to read
March 28, 2017good
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews