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Overview
Talking about money in a personal way remains more of a taboo than sex or politics. This seems odd within a Christian context, since Jesus addressed topics of money, poverty, and wealth more than any other concerns. For many, money becomes an idol; we see it in our own culture as we pursue economic growth no matter the cost to the overall well-being of God’s creation. When that happens, “enough” is always more than we have right now, and scarcity becomes the lens through which we see the world.
On a personal level, this book opens up issues of scarcity and abundance, idolatry and freedom; on a societal level, it invites exploration of greater equity and sustainability. On both levels, it empowers individuals and groups to apply their faith’s values in practical ways while taking pastoral and prophetic stances. The author suggests we need to experience the nurturing companionship of a wise, compassionate pastor or spiritual guide in our relationship to money, while also needing to experience the power, strength, anger, and call to repentance of an Old Testament prophet.
People want to connect their values with everyday concerns, while discovering ways to make a positive difference. This book helps them do both.
Includes a comprehensive study guide within the book for groups and individuals.
Contributors include: Henri Nouwen, Dave Barry, Walter Brueggemann, David Boyle, Lynne Twist, Lewis Hyde, William Stringfellow,John Haughey, Ched Myers, Bill McKibben, Sallie McFague, William Greider, Leonardo Boff, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Maria Harris,
Rich Lang, Wayne Muller, Sharon Parks, Rodney Clapp, Ted Nace, Lester Brown, Pete Barnes,Andy Loving, Edgar Cahn, Sarah Tarver-Wahlquist, Susan Wilkes, Jim Klobuchar
Synopsis
Talking about money in a personal way remains more of a taboo than sex or politics. This seems odd within a Christian context since Jesus addressed topics of money, poverty and wealth more than probably any other concern. For many, money becomes an idol; it certainly has for our culture as we pursue "economic growth" no matter the cost to the overall well-being of God's entire creation. Where money is an idol, "enough" is always more than we have right now, and scarcity becomes the lens through which we see the world. On a personal level this book opens up issues of scarcity and abundance, idolatry and freedom; on a societal level it invites exploration of greater equity and sustainability. On both levels it empowers individuals and groups to practically apply their faith's values. The book seeks to balance a pastoral and prophetic stance while being a practical guide as well. In the ways we relate to and feel about money, we need to experience the nurturing companion-ship of a wise, compassionate pastor or spiritual guide. In some of our society's more powerful assumptions, such as "more is better," "time is money" and "economic growth is an unquestioned societal good," we need to experience the power, strength, anger and call to repentance of an Old Testament prophet. And in the face of great need, inequities, and ecological degradation, we need practical guidance for actions, decisions, and policies that will lead us toward a world where there is enough for all.