Ploductivity by Douglas Wilson

The book is Ploductivity by Douglas Wilson. It was first published in 2020 by Canon Press. I read the 2020 paperback edition. I read it in June of 2022. 

I read this because I am currently looking for a change in my job. I’m working as a contractor for USAA and I’ve been trying to get a full-time position for about a year and a half now. I’ve been considering other career aspirations and I wanted to read a book on work. The subtitle for this book is A Practical Theology of Work and Wealth. Perfect. 

It was interesting how he calls tools and technology an “embarrassment of wealth.” We’re beyond the information age with the equivalent of 10,000 servants on these little devices called phones. And we’re not using them to their full potential. He warns against being a technofile and a technophobe. Everything can either be worshiped or redeemed. We’re to worship God and bear his image in taking dominion over every thing. But the things of this world have been corrupted. It’s our job to redeem them to their originally intended purpose. 

The most compelling point was to embrace the plodding of progress in one’s professional life. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Even for groundbreaking ideas, there comes a time when the day-to-day work of it will need to be carried out. There will be fires and there will be doldrums. Take everything in stride and just keep plodding. 

“The world, this world, is presently going where Jesus is taking it. So we should be wise, and stop worrying.” 

I wish Dougie got more into how we should find our gifts and use them in our career. I guess that wasn’t really the point. The point is to plod along and be productive. That’s clear. 

I’d recommend this book to anyone struggling with finding fulfillment in their job. Any job can be done to the glory of God. This book is super short and easy to read. Accessible to any reader. Another round of wisdom from Doug Wilson.