The S.A.L.T. Plan

by Chuck Bentley

The Enemy will never waste a good crisis, so neither should we as God s people. We can turn everyday adversity into advantage by loving others and leading them into God s Kingdom during their time of need. The signs are around us everyday. We are truly in times of economic hardship, and some would even say that we are hinging on an Economic Event of Biblical Proportions. The idea of preparing for hardship is a timeless concept. How can you protect your family in the midst of financial crisis? God s Word provides proven principles for preparing you to do well in any economic situation. The S.A.L.T. PlanTM is a culmination of those principles compiled into a practical guide that provides both biblical wisdom and sound advice to help you carefully plan for hard times, while continuing to be faithful with your God-given resources. The S.A.L.T. PlanTM is a must read for individuals and families to live prepared for a worst case scenario and to seize the opportunity to be Salt and Light as God commands. Easily adapted for businesses and entire church congregations in the form of group studies, we suggest that individuals and families join together within larger organizations to help support each other while implementing the various aspects of the plan. Are you ready to commit to being salt and light in a darkening world?

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2011

About the author

CHUCK BENTLEY is a graduate of Baylor University and the CEO of Crown Financial Ministries. He has traveled throughout the world teaching biblical financial principles to the affluent, middle class, poor, and ultra poor. He is the author of four books, including his most recent: The Worst Financial Mistakes in the Bible, And How You Can Avoid Them. He is also executive director of the God Provides Film Learning Experience. These films are now in thirty languages with the potential to reach two billion oral and visual learners. Chuck and his wife, Ann, have been married since 1978 and have four sons and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[Brandon Miller]

Lots of extra words (especially for such a short book) but some really good points in the end. An important call to be prepared for tomorrow without abandoning our duties today.

[Megan Miller]

I feel like he could have said all these things in like, 2/3 of the pages? But all the things he said were good things.
I don't know that it was life-changing for us, but it did raise really good points, and the "Salt Plan" is biblically solid.
Good stuff.

[Greg]

Key Take Aways:
-Save 20% of your income for 7 years until you have 140%
-Prepper stuff: food, water, fuel, garden, skills
-Don't bunker up & get aggressive towards other people though - be willing to share
-Be liquid, willing to sell things, move, etc if needed
-Diversify assets
-Be the light when things go bad

[Sara]

There are some gems in this book, but I feel like some parts were thinly veiled political grandstanding. There is truth in much of what he says, but I am concerned about that which he omits that would give leverage to the other political party. I also find him contradicting himself when he says we have to be self-reliant (i.e., not rely on the government), and then turns around and says how we can't be self reliant as it leads to the urge to control too much of our environment, and that we must remember to lean on God. He also cites how Joseph implemented a government tax, for lack of a better description, to help people prepare for the 7 years of famine, but tells the reader not to pay attention to this story and not rely on the government. Yet his details for other stories against this aren't as plentiful.

Biblically, we should be responsible stewards and remember to trust God when times are lean. We should also give out of love and not out of duty. But the story of Joseph is an example of a leader helping his people be prepared for what will amount to severe suffering otherwise, and he is inspired to do so because God revealed the threat to him. God was still involved in this, even if it led to government intervention. I think the author shouldn't cherry pick the verses to support his political platform. It takes too much advantage of his faithful reader base and those who support Crown.org.

That being said, there are some worthy verses and wisdom in these pages. There is some insight in preparing for an economic disaster, and the author does keep the reader focused on God towards the last parts of the book.

I just wish he'd have left out the political grandstanding or remained neutral and presented cases all around for his stances on self-reliance and government programs for the poor, suffering, disabled, and ill.

If he's going to lead his flock, I'd rather he looked at what Joseph did as a leader and follower of God, rather than cite him as an exception to what Chuck Bentley is advocating.

[David]

Bentley offers some good ideas, but I don't agree with the notion of setting aside 20% of one's income for 7 years to be prepared for the coming downturn in the economy. He proposes setting aside the 20% even before eliminating debt. His plan is based on the preparations of Joseph for the famine that was to come upon Egypt. While Joseph was given wisdom by God for the famine coming in his time, it doesn't necessary follow that we as believers today are to have the same strategy to prepare for an economic downturn. I believe a far better course of action to be strong for coming hardship is to follow strictly Dave Ramsey's plan, which focuses on eliminating short-term debt, saving 3-6 months of living expenses, then reducing all remaining debt. As I see it, being debt-free is the best preparation for economic hardship.

[DPieper]

A must read for Christians. Makes you think about what our role is in this current economic crisis and how we're treating our neighbors.

[Sarah]

Practical, biblical advice for preparing to weather any economic storm headed our way...

[Catherine Sandy]

Good advice but I doubt that most people would be able to follow it completely.

[Bobbi Jo O'Neal]

A practical guide for Christians. Also read the book One Second After to see why his suggestions matter.

[Welven Wofford]

Follows the thinking of Dave Ramsey. Not sure who was first to the space.