What I liked about it most was the way it used the Bible. The other book on money that I've read stole quotes from the Bible to back up the author's points (e.g. "You need to tithe, because as it says in Deuteronomy chapter 11 verse..."), but the author of this book, Amie Streater, has got a much better handle on the big ideas that the Bible - and Jesus - are trying to get across. This one has a more practical, real-life feel to it, which I loved.
God cares about real people, and how real people live through the everyday challenges and celebrations of their lives, and this come across wonderfully in the way Amie writes. She's a pastor herself, and you can tell she's spent many hours, days, years, praying and crying with people as they work through these challenges and come out the other end more content and more generous - more like God.
Couple of other things that I found helpful...
At the start of the book, Amie goes through some of the myths about money that have sadly been preached many times in churches. If you've ever been to church, you've probably heard some of these myths, and they're really quite damaging, and not at all what God has in mind.
Also, there are some very helpful chapters on different money "personalities." Everybody deals with money in a different way, and Amie goes through each style, celebrates the positive points, but also
points out some possible pitfalls in each way of living. I found these chapters helped me to understand myself and the other people around me a lot better.
It's well worth a read, for anyone who has a wallet or bank account (whether they have money in them or not). Everybody deals with money, and it's my belief that the way you use money in your life is one of the best signs of what kind of person you are.
If you're looking for an exegetical work on the matter, Craig Blomberg's book Neither Poverty Nor Riches is a measured and uncontroversial effort. The one sentence summary is: God wants everyone to be in the middle of the income stream, as depicted in Pr 30:7-9.
ReplyDeleteBut, from what I remember, it focuses on the biblical texts more than on the practical advice. It's a scholarly work, with some extras. I have a copy if you want to borrow it.
Is he just talking about cutting out the extremes, or that everybody should have the same income?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that for most things God has created variety to splash more colour in the world - and to give us more opportunity to work together.
Afraid of a little communism, Ben? :)
ReplyDeleteThis is what's so uncontroversial about the book. He advocates only for trimming the extremes. Everyone should have enough to be secure (regular food, clothing, shelter...), and no one should have excessive wealth (wasteful spending, exploitative means of production...).
I don't think he regards disparities in wealth as a divinely-ordained variety, though. His argument is that the bible opposes wide disparities in income.
Little followup...
ReplyDeleteAt its best, the notion of "neither poverty nor riches" is a constant reminder for the rich to forgo excessive wealth in favour of supporting the poor. At its very best, this ought to be an encouragement for us to change the system that allows for excessive wealth at the expense of others. Some of the poorest places in India also have the highest ownership rates for luxury cars.
At its worst, the result is a bland mediocrity of middle-class suburbanism, with no lasting change. A kind of Better Homes & Gardens For Everyone! Blech.