The Christian Wallet: Spending, Giving, and Living with a Conscience

by Mike Slaughter, Karen Perry Smith

"Conscientious and compassionate use of our money in a world where people spend $310 million on costumes for their pets and $5 billion on entertaining ringtones for their phones is not an easy task. The temptation to spend now and think later (or never!) is ever-present, but with good intentions and prayerful hearts, we can slow down and reflect on what we earn, how we spend it, who is affected by it, and who we can share it with." from the introduction

Every Christian knows that we are called to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. But what about our wallet? We are asked to open it every Sunday when the offering basket comes by and are told that giving is a way of being a "good steward," but what about spending money at a restaurant or grocery store? Best-selling author Mike Slaughter offers a comprehensive look at how Christians use their money in "The Christian Wallet." Slaughter explores today's culture of consumerism and the impact of what we buy, asking difficult questions about morality and money while acknowledging that there are no easy answers. Throughout the book, profiles of real people inspire thoughtful reflection about the true value of money and the rewards of conscious spending. Questions for individual or group study are also included with each chapter. "The Christian Wallet" helps Christians grapple with important questions about using money: how we spend, how we live, how we save, how we give, and what it all means."

Genres: Christianity

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 27, 2016

About the author

Mike Slaughter is the lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Under his leadership, Ginghamsburg became known as an early innovator of small group ministry and a leader in global mission efforts. A frequently sought-after speaker, he is the author of many books, including Dare to Dream, Hijacked, Change the World, Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, and Upside Living in a Downside Economy.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so helpful! The premise of this book, is that as Christians, we should spend our money better, give more away, and live more simply with less.

The author says that how we use our money is a spiritual question.
This book will make you think about how you want to live, based on your Christianity, instead of living to get more things based on our culture in America.

Problems happen when we consume excessively. We run out of room to store all our stuff. Then many of us pay to store it somewhere else. We want to be happy, but buying more stuff, will not make us happy.

The author shows ways we can change how we spend money to reflect our beliefs as Christians. He says that we should ask ourself before we buy something, “Do I really need this?” He also points to areas we tend to overspend on, such as restaurants. He uses stories about other couples as examples of ways to spend better.

This book could change the way you think about your money, and the way you spend it. The author would argue that spending your money more as God would spend it,
will make you a better Christian, and make you happier and healthier.

Since "The Christian Wallet" won't be available until January 2016, you might want to look at another book by the same author, “Change the World: Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus.”

(I did receive a free e-book copy of “The Christian Wallet” from the publisher, Westminster John Knox Press, through www.Netgalley.com The review contains my honest opinions of this book.)For my complete review, go to http://FaithCounts.wordpress.com/2015...

[Laura Kivi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads

[Angela Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that gave me much food for thought. So appreciated the emphasis on how "it's all God's" to begin with. Definitely reviewing my spending vs. my giving even more after reading this book.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a First Read. It's one of the best religious books I've read and one of the best nonfiction books to come out this year. It's very well written. The book has a good blend of statistics/facts and Biblical scripture and ties them together well to propose a Christian view of money. The book covers a lot of topics: budgets, debt, work, taxes, spending, saving, investing, and giving. In includes a lot of economic and sociological perspectives. I also appreciated the little personal stories and case studies at the end of each chapter. The book talks about the importance of Christians using money wisely to support fair trade, invest in socially conscious companies, give to charities, support microfinance, and get to know our neighbors. A lot of good points are made including what people claim to care about vs what they spend their money on and putting your money where your mouth is. I also appreciated that people are encouraged to be wise with their money and evaluate charities using Charity Navigator and to use money to sow the seed of the future by supporting microlending charities like Kiva. Consumerism, minimalism, waste, and greed are addressed. This book is a must read for all Christians - Protestant and Catholic alike.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through GoodReads First Read program.

I won this book at the right time. My wife and I have four kids currently in college so during school we have more money going out the door than coming in. We have reexamined our budget and are trying to live more simply with less things. I will be an adjustment but I think it is good for us both in the short term and in the long term. I am also going through so changes at work which will hit the wallet. I need to trust God and remember it is all his anyways. I realize all of that in my head but it is often difficult to keep myself from trying to control everything.

This book is good for both those who are struggling financially and for those who are prospering. There are chapters which discuss tithing and giving to charities or others. Money is too often a god to people and it is hard to get an accurate perspective of it.

[Melissa Hinnen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fresh book about how different aspects of money in our life reflect and shape our values as Followers of Christ. How does our use of money reflect our priorities? Are you working for an income or an outcome? How are the products we thoughtfully budget for made? What is the richness we can experience when start from a place of gratitude for every penny in our wallet and/or bank account? Looking forward to encouraging my congregation to read and discuss this book as we prepare for our stewardship season. It is Biblically based and presented through the lens of Wesleyan values. Thank to the publisher for providing a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Luzzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was informative and thought-provoking. How many times do I buy things that are not completely necessary. Wouldn't that $2 be better off in the poor box instead of taking a chance on the lottery? How often do you win - add it up?! It is difficult to enter a store and have to ask yourself every time, do I really need this? If you stick to the bigger picture, you'll do better with how you spend your money. Money is extremely important in this world. This book has helped me to think twice how I'm spending my money.

[Michele Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the author informs us on how Christians should be spending their money. He has some good suggestions for the ways that Christians should spend their money in order to be more Christlike. This is a good book to read in order to get some insight on how Christians should think before making a donation or spending their money. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for a review.

[Beth Peninger]

Thank you to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for this free readers edition. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Originally I gave this title 3.5 stars. I am revising my stars to zero.

The reason I am doing so is that since reading this title, several things about my faith journey and expression have changed and I no longer subscribe to evangelical ideologies.

[Cynde · Rating 5 out of 5]

good stewardship!

[Laura Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book gave me a lot to think about.