Despite Jesus' teaching regarding God and money, the paradox remains that churches need money to serve God. Ministers need salaries, bills must be paid, and benevolence programs require financing. By examining what the early Christian documents of the New Testament have to say about asking for money and the circumstances in which they did this, Jouette Bassler provokes reflection on the theological, ethical, and social dimensions of the practices of today's church. Suggestions for further reading and study questions complement each chapter and enhance the usefulness of this book.
Excellent research into the context and culture of asking for money in the New Testament. Bassler provides an introduction to complex issues that is clearly well researched but also accessible for the non-academic. This is an excellent resource for those wanting to deepen their understanding about what the Bible has to say about fundraising.