Focusing on Jesus - Through the Lure of Money

While I was at the beach I began to read a book called God and Your Stuff by Wesley K. Willmer. Have you ever read a book, like the Bible, and felt like it literally had boxing gloves that were jumping out of the pages just smacking you right in the face? Well this is how I felt since I've read midway through this challenging book by Mr. Willmer. I wanted to share with you a few quotes from his book and see what you think about them.
· “We live in a culture that worships at the shrine of four related idols: pleasure, wealth, professional status, and physical appearance. It is a culture of convenience rather than duty and of avoiding pain rather than seeking to relieve the burdens of others.” Wilmer goes on to ask, “To what extent have the idols of this age -materialism, smug professionalism, and the quest for self - influenced our search for the good life above knowing God? John Wesley expressed his profound concern, 'I fear as riches have increased, the essence of religion has decreased in the same proportion.'” - page 89.
· “In Robert Wuthnow's three-year study on religious and economic values, 89 percent of the respondents agreed, 'Our society is much too materialistic.' 74 percent said that materialism is a serious social problem, and 71 percent said society would be better off if less emphasis were placed on money. Yet, while we see materialism in our neighbors and decry its presence on television or in the movies, we do not seem to be able to find it in our own hearts. Lifestyles of those within the church vary little - if at all - from the lifestyles of others in the same income bracket.” - page 91.

One of the topics I have enjoyed most in this
book and I have certainly been challenged by as well, is the teachings of John Wesley. The thing about John Wesley was that he had a high income because of his book sales. So no one can say this is some jealous poor person telling us how to lead our lives. On page 76 of this book a teaching from John Wesley's sermon entitled “A More Excellent Way” is written about. Wilmer writes, “Wesley goes on to list some of the disciplines by which a Christian may walk on this more excellent road. They include rising early in the morning, regular prayer, doing one's work diligently, eating moderately, godly conversation...and the use of money.”
While I do not agree with every conclusion and premise drawn in this book, I have no doubt that anything that encourages you and me to remember that we should be living for eternity is a good thing :-) I do recommend this book to anyone serious about being a better steward.
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About the Author:
When people believe and understand who really owns everything, this can happen. Thomas takes pleasure in guiding his clients as they implement the financial planning strategies that help them become better stewards and meet the financial and life goals God has laid on their hearts. Mr. Cloud’s: ability to help others grow their wealth more conservatively, consistently, and profitably than any one investment by itself separate him from most others in his field. To do this Thomas created an asset allocation tactic he calls a TDP for Truly Diversified Portfolio. The TDP is managed using verses, he believes are relevant, from the Bible.