Your Money God's Way by Amie Streater

Title: Your Money God’s Way

Author: Amie Streater

Rating: Good

Reason for Reading: I received this book through the BookSneeze program. The title jumped right off the list of available books as one Dawn and I would like to read. This is my review, but I am hoping she’ll read it and provide a review as well.

Summary: Streater describes the 7 money myths she has discovered from years of serving as the pastor for financial stewardship at two churches. These myths spawn from counterfeit convictions, misunderstandings of scriptural direction about how Christian’s should handle money. The include enabling the misbehavior of others, viewing the accumulation of wealth as evil, or expecting divine providence to rescue one from oneself.

Review: This is an outstanding book. It provides sound biblical advice about how Christians should put the money God has entrusted to them to do his work, while including funny, personable, relatable stories. The stories are even jaw-dropping sometimes, but they certainly illustrate the point that a misunderstanding, or outright ignorance, of scriptural guidance can lead Christians to having a financial life much less than what God has planned for them. And, Streater includes methods to correct one’s past mistakes and infuse the true convictions into your spirit and your habits.
I highly recommend this book to any Christian who thinks their financial life might not be all that it should be, and to the fellow Christians who know and love them. It can be hard to give someone else financial advice. If that puts you off, or if your relationship with someone who is struggling isn’t close enough to share, buy this book and put it in their hands. There is a wealth of knowledge here that will help any Christian.

Other resources: www.amiestreater.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Richest Man in Babylon

Title: The Richest Man In Babylon

Author: George S. Clason

Rating: Good

Reason for Reading: This is from our personal library.  I purchased this book for just 10 cents at a used book store.

Summary: The book is a compilation of separate writings the author prepared for banks and financial institutions in the early 20^th Century.  Each chapter is a story all unto itself, but some of the characters appear in more than one or are referred to by other characters.

As the title indicates, the stories are set in ancient Babylon, which is described as a city of great wealth and knowledge.  Many of the chapters revolve around Arkad, who is described as the richest man in the community, as he shares his knowledge of money with others.

The language used is similar to what you might read from the King James Version of the Bible, or from Shakespeare.  Don't let that worry you.  There isn't anything here you can't understand.  Money is often referred to as "coins", banks as "moneylenders", and those in debt are sometimes slaves.

The author is using a historical setting to teach simple truths about money and finances that have survived the test of time.  The parallels to modern life are not hard for the reader to draw.

Review: For me, this is a classic, a must read, and on my list of books to read at least once a year.  It is a quick and easy pick up to have in your pocket while you are heading out to a place where you might read for a few minutes here or there.  If you sit down to read it from front to back, it won't take you long.  And because each chapter is a separate story, don't worry about losing your place.

The truths contained within are simple and common sense, but you won't be bored in reading it.  The setting, the phraseology, the characters are rich with colors and flavors that will make learning fun.  And the truths will help you with everything from day-to-day tasks like the importance of budgeting your expenses, to long term goals like purchasing a home or preparing for leaving your estate to your family.

I highly recommend The Richest Man in Babylon to everyone who wants to know how money works and how the decisions they make will affect their financial destiny.

Devon

Other resources: None