Jeff Weddle of anti-itch meditation recently completed his first book – The Gospel Filled Wallet – for Transforming Publishing. Milton Stanley, one of the bloggers I read / respect most, of Transforming Sermons is the owner of Transforming Publishing and sent me a copy of Jeff’s book to review. I was honored to do so as I respect both these men.
Any long term reader of Jeff’s blog knows that he is not one to mince words and that he holds views that are contrary to many within Christiandom at times. The Gospel Filled Wallet follows the same model that Jeff’s blog has followed previously.
That said and those facts understood, it does not mean Jeff is always right or always wrong simply because he differs from the views of the majority of Christians. What Jeff Weddle does is challenge his readers to not just accept what others tell them is Biblical or Christian, but to actually explore them for themselves the word and ways of God. Personally, I am always for people exploring God’s word and His ways for themselves and not depending on others to tell them what God says or has for them, so Jeff and I see eye to eye on that.
As the title would lead one to believe, The Gospel Filled Wallet is about exploring and finding the true Biblical model for money management. It attempts to show the difference between how Christians handle their money and how the Bible directs them too. Jeff definitely achieves that, but does so in a fashion that many will find downright contemptuous and offensive as it challenges what they have been taught by many Christians and have believed until now. Again, that is not exactly a bad thing.
As I said before, the content and text of The Gospel Filled Wallet will challenge how many to think about money and God’s plan for it in their lives. Agree with Jeff’s views or not, the fact is that his book is challenging in a vital area, managing money and wealth, that is fundamental to how Christians both view God’s blessings for them and how they live out the walk He calls them too. Jeff’s book is definitely worthy of a read and a lot prayer and reflection for those that call themselves Christians. Even if you don’t agree with Jeff’s conclusions, the text and pointes will make you think about how you view money.
Christians are called to follow the ways of God, not the ways of the world. When the ways of the world, in any area of life, begin to creep into how the majority of God’s people live then it is time for a search of the heart of the church and make changes. Such changes in the heart of God’s people have lead to revivals and shift’s in the church in the past. Those are good things.
When you look at the life of a person where they invest their time and their money shows where their heart is. For a long time Christians have invested in worldly things and matters far more then the things of God. The call of God is one which is revolutionary not reactionary. Many modern Christians seem to live lives that react to God’s ways occasionally more than one which is revolutionized by Him daily.
What Jeff presents in The Gospel Filled Wallet will both bother and offend many good meaning and well intentioned Christians will. Honestly, I found Jeff’s Biblical points to be spot on and inline with the view of what I have found to be true about the Bible and money for a long time – God’s plan is for you to use money to help others and further the kingdom of God. God is not in the business of building up your storehouse, your retirement plan, your guest house, or your bank account. What He is about is bringing people into relationship with Him, and He uses the money that HE blesses HIS people with to do that. That said, it does not mean all Christians are suppose to be homeless, live off alms, and have no savings. It does mean though that God is really not is focused on you having a large IRA / 401K.
Many, some even well meaning, people would have us believe that God wants His people to all be financially secure where His provision can be demonstrated to the world. That would be a great thing, and it may even occur sometimes, but a quick glimpse run through the Bible shows that God rarely choose or chooses to work that way. The “normal” Bible model is for God to remove all means of self support from people where they cannot claim they had ANYTHING do with their success and provision. Then and only then, God provides what they need to live, not what they want with some left over bank funds.
Now back to The Gospel Filled Wallet, Jeff begins his analysis of how the Christians should handle money by doing something novel – consulting the Bible. Jeff looks at how Christ viewed money, how Paul viewed money, and how money played into the lives of both Old and New Testament people. No Christian should be able to argue with that mode of analysis.
Sadly, many Christians and many Christian financial experts seem to skip that step when it comes to how the followers of Christ should handle the money God blesses them with. From there Jeff moves on to discuss how the Bible looks at money, the value of money within Christianity, and what money brings to those with and without it in the Bible. Jeff also discusses how many Christian financial guides / analysts lead people toward worldly solutions and models of wealth instead of models that are more in-line with God’s ways and will.
I must say I personally do not agree with all of Jeff’s conclusions, though I do think he has closer to right than wrong on the issue of God’s plan for money and His people. What I do agree with though is Jeff Weddle’s solid presentation and analysis of fundamental Biblical ideas. My disagreements with Jeff are not about what He finds in the Bible about money, or how God has used wealth and money to achieve His purposes. What I disagree with are Jeff’s conclusions that God’s model for finances is so globally no left over resources, no reserves, and no worldly “extras”.
I personally believe that Christians should have a balance to both how they store and distribute the wealth respectively God provides for them. A Christian’s storehouse need not, and should not be, excessive but I do think it is Biblical for it to exist. Too many Christians are far more about storing up earthly wealth then they should, but the zero store house model seems flawed to me as well. I am a firm believer that God calls His people to a balanced life. That is a balance of work in the Lord, growth in the Lord, and rest in the Lord. That model also carries to the other areas of Christian life – including finances.
Based on The Gospel Filled Wallet’s last chapter, and amendment section as well, I feel Jeff himself is concerned about the issue of finding the correct individual call for each Christian in relation to their finances as well. Jeff’s book is devoted to what is almost a 100% distribution of all wealth with a virtual zero retention model, yet he openly admits he is still working out all the details of God’s call for himself when it comes to money and that he personally is a hypocritical in this area himself. I find that to be very honest and truthful and I respect that as well. It is much easier to say do this and don’t look at me then to say do this and I am still trying to do it myself.
I must add, Jeff says he does not personally believe that God wants us all homeless, living off alms and eating locust and honey in the woods. Obviously, based on my statements above, I agree with and believe that as well. In the end, Jeff discussed how vital is it for each Christian to find the balance that God calls you too. Jeff in very careful to state that one model does not fit everyone and he does not attempt to say that God’s call for one’s finances is the same for everyone. I agree with those points as well.
In conclusion, I would recommend that Christians read The Gospel Filled Wallet, then really pray about and focus on both what the Bible says about money / wealth and what He wants each of us to do with it in our lives. You may not agree with the conclusions Jeff reaches, but you will definitely be challenged to look at money in a fresh and new way and then be challenged to live the model that God gives you out.
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