On Fridays, we bring you the week’s best from around the web. This week’s collection includes lessons on work—from a young boy and an unemployed college graduate, a trick to being more virtuous, and more.
“Conserving Friendship in a Consumer Age” by Matthew Maule, Center for a Just Society
If Americans desire to preserve their freedom and distinctiveness, there is nothing more vital to cultural longevity than conserving and cultivating friendships and associations.
“Delivery Boy for a Day” by Joseph Sunde, Acton Institute
A new holiday ad for UPS does a nice job of illustrating a key point: something deep down in a boy longs for work, and that basic desire ought to be guided, encouraged, and discipled accordingly, not downplayed, distorted, or ignored.
“The Trick to Being More Virtuous” by Arthur Brooks, The New York Times
Psychologists study a phenomenon called “moral elevation,” an emotional state that leads us to act virtuously when exposed to the virtue of others. In experiments, participants who are brought face to face with others’ gratitude or giving behavior are more likely to display those virtues themselves.
“When Do I Become a Grown Up?” by Jody Byrkett, Humane Pursuits
Let us then be childlike—not childish—and revel in the fairy snows, walk so that we may see Beauty—not to burn calories. Let us know that the Fall happened, but not allow it to be the end of our stories.
“When You Are in Between Jobs” by Luke Murry, The Gospel Coalition
It may seem like an oxymoron, but those struggling to find work can sometimes be the most prone to make an idol out of work. Work is a gift from God, but it will not solve all our problems. It is not our salvation.
