I’m currently skimming and fumbling my way through The End of Poverty, a book by economist Jeffrey Sachs that I found at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit in August. I was enticed to buy it mainly because the cover advertises a forward by (St.) Bono.

I’m skimming and fumbling because even though The End of Poverty is written on a popular level, it’s still a little over my head and I find the details impractical for any involvement I might have in world relief. But there are interesting moments. Sachs has enjoyed a front-row seat to some of the major economic dramas of our times. He was one of the chief designers of Poland’s entry into the European marketplace after the Soviet collapse.

What strikes me most as I read The End of Poverty is just how much good a Christian young person could do who decided to devote her life to serving God by becoming an economist.

Yes, that seems like a strange thought to me too. Economics is so dry and academic, right? Besides, I’ve always thought that the noblest callings in life were to missions work, hunger relief, etc. And these ARE noble, for those who are so called. But Sachs (who BTW does NOT bring faith into the discussion) shows how there are moments in history when economists can step into a country in transition (like Poland after socialism) and make the difference between a future of crushing poverty and a healthy productivity that gives people a chance to provide for themselves. That’s a pretty noble calling, wouldn’t you say?

That’s why, more and more, I encourage young people to think broadly about how they can serve God with their unique set of gifts and passions. Who knows who God will use next to change the world?