Very few books address with equal seriousness the biblical teaching that, on the one hand, “God richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17), so “nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4), and, on the other hand, “There is nothing on earth that I desire besides you, [O God]” (Psalms 73:25), and “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians. 3:8).

Joe Rigney’s new book is one of those few books.

One of the most important challenges in life is to glorify God both by treasuring him in and through the created world, and by treasuring him more than the created world. The good things that God has made may be instruments of worship one day and enslaving idols the next. We must know ourselves. And we must know what God’s purposes are in making a material world which has fallen into “futility . . . and bondage to corruption” (Romans 8:20–21), and which is still “the Lord’s” (1 Corinthians 10:26), and which will be redeemed (Romans 8:23).

If you want to think biblically about these things — if you are looking for the path of holy joy and joyful holiness — The Things of Earth will be a helpful guide on the way. I am thankful that Joe Rigney put his hand to this important task.

Listen to the entire message from John Piper, “Scripture: The Kindling of Christian Hedonism.”

Read John Piper’s foreword to Joe Rigney’s book, The Things of Earth: Treasuring God by Enjoying His Gifts.