Friday, July 06, 2007

Money Matters

“People buy things they do not need with money they do not have to impress people they do not even like.” George Fooshee

I just finished reading a great book about money. I am not too interested in money (honestly!), but I do believe that this is a valuable book.
The book is entitled Your Money Counts and is part of a program developed by Crown Financial Ministries. Howard Dayton is the author. I could quote many interesting thoughts and ideas from the 168 pages of this excellent book, but this is something you really need to read for yourself in the complete context and - if possible - as part of the whole program.

This is not a how to become a millionaire book, but a biblical guide to earning, spending, saving, investing, giving and getting out of debt - which also happens to be the subtitle of this book ;-) No name & claim / health & wealth prosperity gospel here, just plain biblical teaching about the right attitude towards money and material things. Highly recommended reading for Christ followers who don't want to be possessed by their possessions!

“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?” Ecclesiastes 5:10-11

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10

Money will buy:
A bed but not sleep;
Books but not brains;
Food but not an appetite;
A house but not a home;
Medicine but not health;
Amusement but not happiness;
A crucifix but not a Savior.
Anonymous, cited in YMC, p. 148

3 comments:

Carol Douglas said...

I listen to "Money Matters" (Crown Financial Ministries) with Howard Dayton and Steve Moore on WZXV Radio, Palmyra, NY. I'm still broke, but they're great!

Anonymous said...

I think we need a solid, biblical understanding of money. Extremes are easy. It's easy to fall in love with money or run from it. Truth is money is a tool for ministry. If we manage it well we can further the kngdom of GOD.

Paul said...

@ Mike - Amen. And that is what the book is all about. I really recommend it!
@ Carol - this is one good example of Christian activities in the media (you wrote something about "the rise in Christians broadcasting" in an earlier comment). Christians know the answer to the greatest problem of mankind (no, not global warming, but SIN) but the Bible gives us so much more insights that we need to share with people who want to listen. The way we are using money is just one example, but think about our marriages, relationships and the way we raise our kids - for instance. Following biblical guidelines will be a blessing for all people!