The Legacy Journey: A Radical View of Biblical Wealth and Generosity

by Dave Ramsey

In  The Legacy Journey , Dave Ramsey takes a deep dive into God’s word, revealing the truth on money, wealth and how to build your personal and family legacy. It’s time to address the toxic messages in our culture that say we should be ashamed of the success God’s given us. You can truly live  and  leave a lasting legacy. Start your journey today! The  Legacy Journey  will show you:

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Christian, Money, Business, Personal Finance, Self Help

237 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He’s a #1 National bestselling author and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. Dave’s eight national bestselling books include The Total Money Makeover, Baby Steps Millionaires, and EntreLeadership. Since 1992, Dave has helped people take control of their money, build wealth, and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO of Ramsey Solutions.

Reviews

[Carrie Daws · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was quite refreshing to read this book on biblical wealth. For anyone familiar with Dave Ramsey's message, you'll read briefly about the baby steps to financial freedom. But this book goes farther by looking at what the Bible really says about building wealth and being generous.

Is it okay for some people to earn substantially more than others? Does the Bible say anything about the redistribution of wealth that seems so popular within American culture today? If I'm debt free, can I really enjoy a nice car, or is that being too extravagant?

Not only does Mr. Ramsey discuss these kinds of questions within this book, but he talks briefly about the importance of teaching your children how to handle money, and what kinds of decisions you should be considering in estate planning.

If you are looking for a practical how-to on money, then I recommend either The Total Money Makeover or the Financial Peace University classes, both also by Dave Ramsey and his team. However, you are working your way through the baby steps Dave recommends and are wondering if it's ever okay to enjoy any of the money God gives to your stewardship, then this is the book to read.

[Matt Lillywhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Darrell Worthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dave Ramsey has a bizarre reinterpretation of Jesus' ascetic denial of material wealth. Dave seems to have some dissonance between his view that people should store up wealth to gain financial freedom (which I more or less agree with) and Jesus' view that you should give it all away. so...he completely reinterprets jesus' view to reduce this dissonance. it ended up being a little discordant.

[Paige Rohe · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED. THIS.

If you've grown up with toxic messages swirling in your head regarding money, this is the cure. Whether it be from the gnostic-sackcloth-and-ashes vs. health-and-wealth bi-polarism in the church today, or the "buy"-today-pay-tomorrow, payment-plan-all-the-things mindset of the world, this is the solution to clearing the financial stewardship chaos in your world. There are tangible recommendations for growing your money, but the biggest value for this is to really dig into Scripture and find out what GOD says about money, wealth, stewardship, contentment, generosity, and your legacy. Dave covers all the pitfalls and ditches on BOTH sides of the road and addresses each candidly, clearly, and with his message coming through loud and clear.

[Alana Treloar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and articulated book on how we are stewards of Gods money. It also talks about the bibles view building a legacy and leaving a inheritance for your children and their children, something I had never even gave a second thought to.

[Jeremy Winafeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Dave Ramsey's previous books, he tackles the how to get financially fit.

In this book The Legacy Journey, he tackles more of the why we should get financially fit.

He exposes some myths many Christians carry regarding wealth. Using passages that are normally misinterpreted in the bible, he explains why it's important to build wealth now in order to leave a greater legacy.

He also expresses the need for a will, and the importance of selecting the right investments for retirement.

This book will help you create a bigger vision for your finances. I'm currently on baby step two from his previous book, Total Money Makeover but am pumped to push harder in order to advance me on my legacy journey!

[Sarah Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because as my husband and I approach the end of our debt payoff journey, it's becoming apparent that I need to deal with my discomfort around having more money than what's strictly necessary for survival. I certainly don't agree with a lot of Dave Ramsey's biblical interpretations, and I absolutely took notes to compare his financial teachings to those of progressive Christian leaders. But I will say that some of the arguments he presents in this book have been helpful in making me feel less guilty for being middle class and more ready to handle saving and giving money once our debt is paid off.

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. Like FPU 201. Especially love the chapter about training our children to be good money managers. While I don’t agree with Ramsey about everything, I am shocked at how many takeaways this book gave me (and he uses Scripture solidly, too!).

(Relistened.)

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow-up from Financial Peace University for those who are on Baby Steps 4-7 and focused on building wealth and leaving a legacy. I really loved the chapters giving a Biblical view of success/wealth and focus on the goodness of our daily work.

The “Baby Steps” of The Legacy Journey:
Now: Taking Control—laser focused on taking control of your money and cleaning up a financial mess
Then: Getting a Future Focused—adopt a future focus (Baby Step 4 and 5)
Us: Creating a Family Legacy—imaging the future for not just your immediate family by teaching your kids about money but also for future generations.
Them: Leaving a Legacy for Others—looking at how God will use you to meet the needs of your community and the world.

Chapter 2 The War on Success
P. 20 discusses a Jewish view of wealth which is eye-opening. “If there is one Jewish attribute more directly responsible for Jewish success in business than any other, it is this one: Jewish tradition views a person’s quest for profit and wealth to be inherently moral.... Believing that making money is a selfish activity will undermine anyone’s changes of success.”
P. 29 “Humility recognizes that God is 100 percent responsible for every blessing, every success, every outcome, and every reward in my life. I only have these things because God gave them to me. Sure, I worked hard but God provided the result. Humility, then, leads to gratitude.”

Chapter 3 Snares and Dares
P. 41 Martin Luther quote, “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”

Chapter 4 The Law of Great Gain
P. 60 “Contentment is not a lack of ambition or action or intensity. It’s the condition of our hearts while we’re pursing those things. The question shouldn’t be, ‘Is it okay for me to have some nice stuff?’ The real question is, ‘If I don’t have nice stuff, will my spirit be okay with that? Do I have to have this stuff in order to have peace.’”

Chapter 5 Your Work Matters
P. 87-88 “Success is a journey, not a destination.” “I believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us, and that plan includes a job, a career, a calling to do a specific work while we’re on this earth... That means our work matters to God, and what we do with our days has a huge impact on the legacy we leave behind.”
P. 93 A quote from Rabbi Lapin, “Man is most in God’s image when he is creating things.”
P. 96 “Get out there and move some things around, and your purpose will find you. It’s called the Butterfly Effect and it means: A little bit of activity today can lead to enormous results later.”
P. 99 “Earl Nightingale defined success as “the progressive realization of a worthy ideal,” or goal. Notice that he didn’t say it’s the accomplishment of a goal; it’s the progressive realization—the active of working toward the goal. So when are you a success? You’re a success when you get off the cough, set a good goal, and get to work!”
P. 103 I’ve never read Zig Ziglar’s Wheel of Life but like the concept of goals in each of these areas to grow: Family, Spiritual, Physical, Social, Financial, Intellectual, Career

Chapter 7 Generational Legacy
P. 148 Andy Andrews quote on parenting “‘I’m not that interested in raising great kids. I’m more interested in raising pretty good kids who grow up to be great adults.’ If you’re focused only on having great kids, your parenting style will be all about basic rule following and stiff punishment for going out of bounds. Your kids will be well-mannered and polite, and you may have the picture of a perfect family. At least until they go to college...”
P. 160 I love the idea of a family constitution starting with a family mission statement which takes into account your skills/abilities, personality traits, values, dreams and passions. 2. Tailored to your specific family 3. Live it out! 4. Forming a family council to update and enforce the constitution with regular meetings
P. 164-165 The idea of a Legacy Box readily accessible for spouse, children, etc in the event of your death:
Executive Summary (lists what’s in the box)
Legacy Letters (personal letters to each close family member)
Birth Certificates
SS Cards
Passports
Marriage Certificate
Auto Insurance
Homeowner’s/Renter’s Insurance
Health Insurance
LTD Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
ID Theft Protection
Life Insurance
Umbrella Liability Insurance
Estate Plan
Power of Attorneys
Wills
Funeral Instructions
Financial Account Log
Safe Deposit Log
Monthly Budget
Tax Returns
Money Market Statements
Mutual Fun Statements
College Funds
Retirement Accounts
Rental Property Summary
Car Titles
Home Ownership Records
Passwords/Combinations

Chapter 8 Called to Generosity
P. 188 Displacement method of generosity “We’re supposed to go into a dark world with our time, talents, and treasure and engage the culture in such a way that we create displacement. And the more of that we do, the cleaner the society becomes. The more we surrender and pull back from that, the more the filth takes over—because one side is going to displace the other.”
P. 192 A cake vs candle view of wealth. The cake is finite and will be cut up and eaten away, a candle lights others but doesn’t lose any of it’s light.

The Pinnacle Point (this chapter is taken from Ramsey’s Complete Guide to Money)
P. 201 “[Investing is] is no about the dollars; it’s about the kind of life you want to live later on. What you do today will determine that.”
P. 207 Inflation: he suggests that investments need to make around 6% to stay ahead of inflation.
P. 209 He suggests Money Markets are the way to go for savings—specifically the emergency fund so it is liquid while still giving you at least a little return.
P. 214 Mutual Fund Diversification Types: growth, growth and income, aggressive growth, and international.
P. 219 Ramsey’s tips on rental real estate which should only occur at Baby Step 7
1. Buy Slowly and Pay Cash
2. You Make Your Money at the Buy
3. Pay No More than 70-80% Market Value
4. Only Buy Properties in Your Area

The part of the book is a chapter from Jon Acuff’s book Start
The Five Lands described for every life as a map to plan out the career side of the legacy journey
1. The Land of Learning—finding your beginning will take time
We don’t need to have the finish line in place before we take the first step. “The only line you can control is the starting line; that one is entirely up to you.”
2. The Land of Editing—subtracting distractions, separate the good from the great.
3. The Land of Mastering—Gain lots of experience and be financially smart. The fastest way to become an expert at your new calling is to do so slowly—by acquiring insane amounts of experience.
4. The Land of Harvesting—You’re killing it and making money. But be sure to surround yourself with wise counsel.
5. The Land of Guiding—mentoring others in the way you’ve come. Helps someone else on their own road to awesome.

“We shouldn’t settle for ordinary because we don’t serve and ordinary God.”

[Jay French · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you find yourself at some point in life having some success in making money, through earnings, investment, skill or luck or perseverance, but feel that biblical teachings put monetary wealth in a bad light, this is the book for you. Ramsey dives in to those specific biblical passages that appear on the surface to be dissing the rich and provides an alternative interpretation. There are a handful of passages that get a detailed review, especially describing the historical situation that influenced the wording and reading the surrounding passages for context. Context is the big “eye-opener” here. You can easily understand where he’s coming from. One of the messages that comes out of this book is that according to Ramsey’s reading, God wants you to enjoy the fruits of your labors. And tithing is a given. I read this because I thought it was a general book on the mindset of planning investments for the distant future for heirs and for charity. It’s not that - the key word in the title ends up being "biblical". But I must admit that the message was a nice change from the self-loathing that much of society and the media has been heaping on people.

[Brandon Lawryshyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always appreciated Dave Ramsey’s teaching on finances and how he connects them to biblical principals. Some examples can be extreme,,but the principal behind it as actually fairly simple, and often common sense.

Reading Dave’s teaching on leaving a legacy, and not only in a financial way is a great boost to current day saving and managing finances. Understanding we’re stewarding resources God has provided puts money in a different perspective. I believe it’s something to often think upon, and a great motivation for growth!

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I have been following Dave Ramsey’s baby steps for over a year now. This book showed us the spiritual purpose behind being responsible with the resources God has given us. With his “now, then, us, them” segments, he shows how our finances are to ultimately be used to care for our families or generations to come and to give generously to others. The legacy is that we are to teach our children about financial responsibility so they can carry on the legacy of generosity.

[Bryan Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to poke holes in Ramsey’s logic or find something to criticize him about… But the fact is he’s gotten bajillions of people out of debt, told them to tithe 10% the whole time and live incredibly generously as they build wealth. Hard to argue against that being a Christian.

Would recommend to anyone who is curious what the heck to do in the long-term (in their life, and in the ultimate “long-term”… for eternity) with their money. I loved reading this book, thinking about how I can try to bless my children’s children and further God’s kingdom with just responsible spending/saving.

[Benjyklostermann · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first Ramsey book. Baby steps, check, no problem. Was hoping for many more concrete ideas on building wealth for a lasting legacy. Over half of this felt like trying to convince himself he isn’t a bad Christian because “the Bible says you have to take care of your family first”.

[L.A. Wiglesworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book on wealth, which is different for Dave who usually talks about money. I felt like this book was mainly justification for building wealth in a capitalistic society using biblical passages. While I didn’t listen to this book for that purpose, it was the major theme throughout and I felt the book left me with a Spirit of Argument and Debate.

I’m now equipped to debate anyone who thinks rich people are damned for their wealth. The only problem is I don’t want to debate people on Biblical Interpretation on themes so small. I want to love them. I will be able to do this with action. Physical and financial.

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

This should be recategorized as fiction. Don't take advice from people who talk to an invisible man in the sky, especially about real life things like your money, and certainly don't give any to Dave Ramsey. If you like this, might as well read "Dollar Signs: an astrological guide to personal finance" by Yvonne Morabito since they're both based on absolutely disproven mythology.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to get to the point where your investments provide a higher return then your work start your journey here by reading this.

Things my 👂 picked up on...👇

God has been teaching me about money for the last ten years now it's time to teach me about wealth
If you are diligent and wise with your income then over time you will become wealthy
Where there is no vision, the people perish Proverbs 29:18
I refuse to give ownership of what God's given me to manage
Yes he's the true heir to your estate
Service to the market generates wealth, not your inherent value as a human
The things that are impossible with man are possible with God
Money is like a brick you can use it to build a church or you can through the church window
I dare you to build wealth not only so you can build wealth so you can change not only your family tree, but also the whole community
The smallest amount can make the biggest difference
Man is most in God's image when he is creating things
You never know what the final result of any action will be
Set goals that leave room for the power of God
Everything is created twice, first in the mind, then in reality
Setting your mind on something and believing it's not only possible but probable is the key to success
Your goals must be your own
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but companion of fools suffers harm Proverbs 13:20
Is this a situation God would pour his blessings into? If the answer is yes, then maybe it's something he wants you to do with his money
Get some money and multiply it like I did
Your only limit is you
Peron ally I think most of your excuses are garbage
God everything that we ever have comes straight from your hand
The reason the poor are poor are not because the rich are rich
I want to get to the point where my investments provide a higher return then my work
Don't bet the family farm on one race horse
Money is a renewable resource
They call me bill gates, they know the money's real
Most people's success rise out of the ashes of their previous failures
What can I do today that will get me closer to where you are in your business and in your wealth building?
Give it to God...It's a blessing he will carry it
We love to match good people to good homes
Help someone else on their own road to awesome
Take a look at the offer, if it's not right, don't sign the deal

[John-Michael Melendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several of Dave Ramsey’s books over the years, but The Legacy Journey struck me differently. This one isn’t just financial guidance, it’s discipleship. Dave roots every principle in Scripture, reminding us that wealth, stewardship, and generosity are spiritual matters long before they are financial ones. The message is unapologetically biblical, and that is precisely what makes it powerful.

One of the most meaningful lessons for me was the reminder that God owns everything. Every dollar, every asset, every opportunity, we are not the owners, but the managers. That truth alone reshapes how we see our finances. Wealth is not simply about money. It’s about purpose, responsibility, maturity, and the condition of the heart. When God blesses us, He expects us to steward wisely—and He won’t pour out more than we are prepared to handle. And honestly, that’s not a punishment; it’s a protection.

Dave also emphasizes the joy of giving, not obligation, not pressure, not guilt. Joy. The giving that brings a smile, a laugh, and a sense of partnership with God. God loves a cheerful giver because cheerful giving reveals trust, freedom, and love. When we understand that wealth is God’s, giving becomes a privilege, not a loss. And generosity, real, intentional generosity, changes lives, including our own.

If you’ve ever struggled with finances, worried about the future, or wondered what God expects from you in the area of money, this book is worth your time. It’s straightforward. It’s challenging. And it’s deeply encouraging. Dave doesn’t sugar-coat anything—but his honesty is refreshing, and his clarity is life-giving. The Legacy Journey reminded me that wealth is not the goal; being a faithful steward is.

I truly enjoyed this book, and I believe anyone looking to grow—financially and spiritually—will too.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Legacy Journey was recommended to me by a friend who recently had some significant financial gains through fortunate investments along with hard work. He described some of the main points of the book and said that it had changed the way he thought about wealth.

I believe it has changed my perception of wealth as well, and I think it could lead to a pretty large impact on my life and my financial decisions. There are a few key points I took away from The Legacy Journey:

1. Wealth is not bad, contrary to mainstream messages. This can be supported biblically as well as logically.
1a. We shouldn't judge what others do with their money. It's easy to point at someone more wealthy than ourselves and think that they should do something different with their money, but the reality is that each of us is more wealthy than someone else who may be saying the same thing about us. The average person in the US is in the top 5% or so of the world, and many in the US are in the top 1% of the world.
2. Contentment is critical to happiness and to viewing wealth with the right perspective.
3. We are stewards of our money. Ultimately our money belongs to God. We need to manage it and deploy it responsibly. Giving all of it away to another entity probably will not maximize its usefulness, especially if we and our children can responsibly manage it. Inheritance has the potential to multiply the good that can come from wealth.
4. In general, we should think about giving and saving in terms of percentages.
5. It's critical that we teach our children the principles above, especially if we will be passing wealth onto them.

The book is full of discussion and details behind all of these, and some other points that didn't make my list.

[Mike Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I read from Dave Ramsey. The first one was Total Money Maker Over last couple of months. I was inspired by his authentic approaches to wealth: an enduring processes with strong principle and discipline, and most importantly, it could be done by anyone regardless of income. Key concept is cutting operating / expense cost, reduce debt by all cost, save money for big opportunities (will come when you have spare money for investment). I liked the two account concept: operating and saving (which the saving has no ATM can't be withdraw) and monthly budgeting which I am still struggling to deal with it.

This book brought another higher level perspective which is used to justify how we shall manage our wealth. Important concept i learnt was making proportional percentage of wealth in all aspect of live including spending, investing, saving, and giving (not giving back just giving with intention). Be fully responsible with your life, family and the people you love (developed a will regardless of your position). Wealth legacy must be transferable from generation to generation, teach your children and grandchildren to manage them wealth. avoid the lottery concept that may destroy not just wealth but other people life. Even for giving, do it like an investment by selecting the right non-profit organisation with track record of doing the job well and work with them closely.

There are much more things I learnt but still yet to rationalize it as may be I am not there yet. Hence will definitely I plan to re-read this book for future learning and applying of these principles.

[Elizabeth (Liz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I am thankful and inspired to be on this journey but I am specially thankful to have someone who has already been on this journey shedding light on next steps.
Living in a world with so many needs and so few helpers, it is easy to forget that the responsibility of the world belongs to the God, and am not Him. I myself had this moment a while back regarding giving time, and helping others emotionally ("go where you are called" If you do, God will prompt others to God where you are not; but if you do your own thing, you are getting in the way of God's plan for you and others, occupying room where someone perhaps more capable could do better) Now it is time to face it fiscally! I didn't realize I had already been experiencing some of the guilt the book describes, thinking: how many could I provide for if only I didn't... If I kept myself on a shoestring budget.
I love that Dave reminds us that God entrusted us with the responsibility of managing this blessing. God made provision through establishing the tithe and through the promptings of the Holy Spirit for where we are to give out of the abundance God provides; and if we are walking closely with Him, we will know which part is our responsibility and which one isn't. I continue to pray that my heart will be tender to Him, that I will be an excellent manager of His resources so that He may use my hands to bring forth his full plan in and through my life. I heard someone say once, one day I will have to give account for what I did with what he gave me, I hope that day I can tell him, I have nothing left, I used it and gave it all for you in my lifetime.
That to me would be a great legacy and a life well lived!

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I disagree with Dave on some points, you'd be hard pressed to find any other openly Christian writer who would be more knowledgeable on the topic of money and wealth.

This book was very good. It's not about how to handle your money in order to build wealth (that's covered in "Total Money Makeover"), but about how to handle wealth once you are in that stage.

He clearly lays out solid arguments to combat the idea that Christians should not be wealthy, or that having more than you need is inherently wrong. He makes the argument that wealth can be a powerful tool. There are many warnings about the dangers of money, but there are many other promises of blessing for diligent and faithful stewards (Proverbs, parable of the talents, etc.). Also there are a number of examples of wealthy people in Scripture who were specifically singled out for being godly (Abraham, Job, Joseph owner of Jesus' tomb).

He also gives a bunch of practical tips on how to plan and prepare to leave a good legacy to your children's children, not just money, but of gratitude and generosity.

Throughout the book he continues coming back to the idea of stewardship and generosity. Anything we have is not ours, but God's, and he has entrusted it to us to steward it. And one of the best ways to make sure our hearts are in the right place, recognizing that we are not owners, but stewards, is to always be generous in every stage of your journey.

If you want a solid Christian perspective on wealth, generosity, and stewardship. I recommend you put this on your list.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read several of Dave Ramsey's books, and I finally learned a few new things with this one. There are too many people out there who think they have a say in how much you earn and how you should spend it. In "The Legacy Journey", Ramsey encourages the reader not to be ashamed of being successful and explains how wealth is a responsibility rather than a privilege.

I also enjoyed reading the extra chapters at the end where he elaborates on some of the missing pieces from his previous books and goes a little more in detail about investing. He often gets slammed for quoting a 12% average return (I've seen just over 11%, but it's probably safer to assume 8-9% in your projection calculations) as well as his high risk, and heavily feed mutual fund recommendations.

In the first bonus chapter, he touches a bit more on that aspect of investing, and I don't blame him for not elaborating more in "Financial Peace" and "The Total Money Makover". If you're reading those books, you're most likely not ready to get into investing anyway. I'm just glad that his publishing schedule is a few steps ahead of my financial needs so that I have access to the necessary resources when I arrive at those milestones.

The second bonus chapter is from the book "Start" by Jon Acuff. It's a 5-6 page excerpt that possibly has relevance to some readers, so it's a good fit, though you could probably skip it if you aren't looking to make a change in your career or have already read Acuff's book.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I would never have known that one thing I've been subconsciously looking for for anywhere from the last 3 months to 20 years would have been found in this book, but I give this book a great review purely for the very last section, which kind of isn't about money--it's about a framework for thinking of life and life stages in this generation, where the things your well-meaning parents told you all your life about how your life would happen haven't been that way much at all, and instead you've had a more awesome life, but you didn't feel prepared for it because you didn't know what you could be looking to happen for your whole life. Of course when you get the five stages mentioned all figured out, it sounds as old as any Biblical patriarch's life framework, as well as as modern as the 2020s, but it's just not exactly what I heard when I was a kid. And in the last several sets of years, I've had frameworks kind of similar come along that I could choose to use for the next few years at a time, but I was feeling like I had kind of hit all the goals with the old frameworks, but I had run out of frameworks to use. So here it is! This is great and I feel oriented toward everything in my past, and I will now have a great place to be heading for the next 5 years or so, and of course indefinitely. Life is officially awesome.

[uncle roQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book. As a young Christian building wealth, getting some tips from a fellow believer on how to manage the resources God gave was something I needed and Dave delivered. He went through a lot of topics that young people stepping into parenthood need to hear: Getting out of debt, taking care of your family first, investing in the future (THEN) then helping out other people (THEM). This will definitely be engraved in my mind. He also delves into the topic of giving and he gave very good illustrations to state that it’s you and God who decide how much is enough for you and your family so you can give the overflow to others. He also talked about inheritance and how it is not just monetary. One good tip he gave was for parents and heirs to avoid capital gains tax but avoiding the transfer of the property but rather having it being granted according to the will. He also emphasized how we need to get wills. They keep the family in order when people are grieving for us when we move on from the world. He also presented it well that the wealthy should not have guilt for being wealthy and that they should not, unless called to, kill the goose by giving away all their wealth. A really good book.

I would say however, they may be some confirmation biases in how he gets some Bible stories to fit his narrative. But it is not wild. It may be entirely true how he views the verses.

[Shorel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is wealth biblically bad? If not, how do we become good stewards so that it doesn't destroy us or our children?

If you plan on living debt-free and eventually having financial wealth built up, this book is a critical read.
---

Proverbs 22.17,18 says that if you incline your ear to God's words, and apply your heart to His knowledge [which comes from His words], you will have pleasure if you keep them in you and if they are ready on your lips.

In other words, if you observe and apply God's commands, things will go well with you.

So, if you have already read The Total Money Makeover or taken Financial Peace University then you know that God has given ways to be out of debt, take care of your family and build wealth so you can give generously.

This book deals with that last part: Building wealth and giving generously.

But first Mr.Ramsey deals with false paradigms that are unfortunately rather prevalent in society. False ideas like:
- Wealth is bad. [aka. "If you have something nicer than me, you have too much."]
- Money is the root of all evil. [psst. The bible actually says the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil. In other words, worshipping something other than God.]
- Being poor is to be more holy. [The "Widow's mite" is an example of what Jesus was saying a couple verses before of the religious authorities devouring widows houses. The Rich Young Ruler is illustrating salvation not being based on works. By the way, if salvation or holiness were based on works, don't you think Jesus would have said the Widow above did good? He didn't...read it again.]
- Profit is immoral. [PSST!!! Read Proverbs 31.]
- and so on....

Basically, by the end of the first few chapters you should understand that holiness isn't based on the amount of financial resources you have.

The question that should be asked is: Are you being a faithful steward of God's resources? [PSST!!! It's not your money. It's not your house. Not your car. Not your family. It's all GOD's!]

Now that we've established that...how are we to be a good steward. Mr.Ramsey follows the formula of
NOW-THEN-US-THEM

[BLOCKQUOTE]Leaving a Legacy for Others As you get to the end of the legacy journey framework, you know that the bills are paid—that’s NOW. You know that you’re going to be able to retire with dignity and send your kids to college—that’s THEN. You know that you are taking steps to prepare the next generation to carry your new family legacy forward—that’s US. And then, finally, you see the big picture—the THEM. The THEM stage represents all the needs in your community and around the world, and you begin to see how God can use you to meet some of those needs. Your vision expands and you start to see the world through Christ’s eyes. Suddenly you see wells that need to be drilled in Haiti. You see the HIV prevention efforts in Africa. You see mosquito nets that can be used to prevent malaria. You see the hungry children right down the street. You see the broke, scared single mom at the other end of the pew who can’t pay the light bill this week—and who might need a reliable car too. At this stage, you’re able to open your eyes and see—maybe for the first time—how you can make a difference in the world. Proverbs says, “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses” (28:27). I don’t think most of us ever actually hide our eyes; I just think the pressures we’re under keep our heads down so we can’t see. But as we work through these biblical principles about taking care of our family first, casting a vision for the future, and leaving an inheritance to our children’s children, we’re able to lift our heads and look clearly into the future. God can do amazing things through us in that future. But we have to take it one step at a time, first through NOW, then THEN, then US, and finally to THEM. And that’s where we get to help change the world. That’s a powerful legacy.[/blockquote]

That's what I enjoyed most about this book. Not just techniques for being wise with your money. But having money doesn't make you wise. (Think of all the examples of sudden wealth squandered; lottery winners, NFL players, etc.) If you are wise with your money, you will be the manager of God's wealth.

How do you prepare yourself and your children to manage God's wealth well? That's a primary question the book deals with. If you are a wise steward with your money, but haven't taught your children to be wise stewards...if you leave the inheritance to them, it will destroy them. This book explains how to prepare them (or prepare your estate so it doesn't destroy them). An aside: the wealth doesn't need to be completely donated to a charity at your death. Why give it all to a charity who may/may not manage it well, when you have already prepared and worked with your children who have been trained as good stewards?

The last part THEM, talks about giving generously, but giving wisely. To research giving opportunities as much or more than you would research investing in a mutual fund or buying real estate. Because sudden wealth can just as easily destroy a small non-profit who doesn't steward well.

Finally, Mr.Ramsey explains in many chapters that you need to prepare your heart and live a legacy of generosity, pouring into people and having healthy relationships with spouse and children. Otherwise, wealth will only magnify your problems. Like stomping on the gas while the car is in reverse. Stomping on the gas only accelerated you in the wrong direction. Wealth will only accelerate you towards divorce, make you a more hateful person, make you more ungenerous. Make sure you are healthy with God and relationships...before you get any money built up. Pray God helps you, so that it will be a blessing as it is intended to be with all those around you and around the world.

Be a good and faithful steward of GOD's (it's not yours) money.

[Graeme May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this because I’m generally interested in religion and different ideological approaches to handling money…I also find Dave Ramsey’s story interesting and wanted to get further insight into the theory behind his teachings.

Although I disagree with some of what he teaches (and quite strongly with some of his beliefs), much of his work is common sense and is a net positive by providing a framework for those with very little understanding of how to manage money.

This is a book that focuses a lot more on the religious theory and ideology behind leaving a legacy, rather than the practical steps of how to do so.

Dave is clearly an evangelical Christian and as you would expect from the title of the book, the contents are heavily skewed that way from the outset. It’s definitely Christianity with a capital ‘C’ here. It’s important to read it through that lens, just as with most of his other books and materials.

Overall, it’s a good way to get a deep-dive on why Ramsey Solutions operates the way that it does and where his ideas come from if you’re interested in that. If you’re an evangelical Christian or just someone with an interest in Dave and his work, this book will explain a lot. Otherwise, there’s probably not a whole lot here for you.

[Klistiny Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been listening to Dave Ramsey for over 2 years now. (His youtube channel popped up in my feed after watching videos from Gateway Church led by Robert Morris. Robert Morris wrote The Blessed Life, and I was pleasantly surprised by his teachings on money and how we are to be blessings to others.) I have never read the Total Money Makeover and likely never will. It took approximately 3 weeks for me to pay off what little debt I had and continue on the Baby Steps, even though I had just learned what they are. Mr. Ramsey does a very good job covering the contents of his book through his radio show.

However, he has mentioned his book the Legacy Journey enough times that it got me curious. Legacy is something I've never given a lot of thought to, and I have been away from church for many years. I finally broke down and bought a copy and read it in less than 2 days. It was everything I thought it would be. My finances have been well under control for a while now, but I am struggling in my career. The Legacy Journey is another angle I am viewing for my life. It is something I am considering as I decide what to do next in my life and career.

[T. Laane · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start: I’m an atheist. I was skeptical about this book, since I’m an atheist and usually it’s quite disturbing having so many biblical references. But a good preacher knows where the limit is, not to stuck it down our throats :) And Dave Ramsey seems to be a good enough role model with his life, so the book is not an empty theory from a wannabe. The reason I started with this book is because I read another good money/religion book (Jewish, “Thou Shalt Prosper”) and to my surprise the same book was the basis on which motivated Dave to write THIS book :) The main concept of both books: DO NOT FEEL ASHAMED FOR GETTING RICH, AND FOR KEEPING MOST THE MONEY, AND BUYING NICE THINGS. So in a way, I would call this one as kind of a “Christian worksheet” to take next to the “Thou Shalt Prosper” book :) While the latter i would rate 6 stars out of 5 (yes, it’s that profound), then Dave’s book is almost 5 - let’s round it up to 5. Do read it. Of course most in this book You already know, but it does not hurt to strengthen the foundations. Also Dave is quoting a lot of my own personal role models: Earl Nightingale, Zig Ziglar etc.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Dave Ramey gives some good and sound principles and advice for managing your personal finances. He rightly distances himself from the prosperity gospel and I would not put him in that category either, but the focus of the book seemed to me to be much more on getting rich yourself and making your family rich than on being generous. He gives the picture of filling your own cup until it is overflowing to show that only what is overflowing is meant for giving to others. While he believes in tithing, it seems that anything beyond 10% is absolutley a no-go until you have made sure that your retirement is completely funded, the college education for your children is completely funded, you have a good inheritance in place for your children and children's children and so on... I do agree and value many of the principles he gives (although not necessarily the specific detailed instructions), and it is very important and good to take care of your own family/children, but believe the focus is too much on personal and family wealth building than on generosity.