Best Books
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus makes a statement that stands in complete opposition to one of our society’s most entrenched values. Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with marriage, the sanctity of life, or even immoral conduct. “No one can serve two masters,” he said. “For either he will love the one and hate the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Hate money? Despise money? The inability to wrap our minds around such a statement reflects the degree to which our society’s love of money has seeped into our thinking. Even Christians feel compelled to back-peddle or caveat the words of Christ on this one.
In his new book, Redeeming Money, Paul David Tripp tackles the incongruity between what the Bible says about money and how most of us actually live. This is not a “how to” book. It is not about debt reduction, retirement planning, or paying tithes. Tripp is concerned about the spiritual seduction of money, which is far more important than our 401K or credit score. The question is not what we do with money, but what money does in us. Do we envy those with it? Do we look down on those without it? Are we in constant anxiety over the amount we have, or do not have?
Money can be a tool in the hands of a godly person. It can also be an invisible idol, robbing us of our trust in the goodness of God, stealing our joy, contentment and peace. We are a people obsessed with money. We are one of the richest nations in human history and we still don’t think we have enough. The most important principle Tripp shares in Redeeming Money is that financial matters always concern the heart. There is a remedy for our money problem, and it is not found in financial manuals or budgets. It is found in the grace of God.
-Darrel Holcombe, Owner
Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts
Colonial Promenade, Alabaster
205-663-2370
