Have you ever worried that doubling down on your debt repayment is robbing your family of memories and fun? Or had a major appliance fail, right after splurging on an expensive purchase or vacation? The tension between giving to church or charity and paying for your kids’ tuition or sports equipment is real.
Money and life are inextricably linked. They don’t run on independent tracks but rather continually exist together, both of them somehow needing to be handled with steady applications of wisdom and biblical integrity, even when they seem in direct competition.
Veteran financial counselor and trusted author Ron Blue helps you navigate the seeming incompatibilities of money management. His liberating, simplifying analysis breaks down all your financial options to a basic four, then shows you how to adeptly keep them spinning alongside each other without leaving you consumed by confusion or regret—in fact, with all your dreams, plans, and principles still intact.
Ron Blue. Following his graduation from Indiana University in 1967 with a master’s in business administration, Ron joined the management group of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. and worked with the firm in New York City, Dallas, and San Francisco. In 1970, Ron founded an Indianapolis-based CPA firm that has grown to be one of the 50 largest CPA firms in the United States. Leaving the CPA firm in 1977, Ron became administrative vice president of Leadership Dynamics International. While with Leadership Dynamics, he was involved in developing and teaching biblically-based leadership and management seminars in the United States and Africa. Since 1979, Ron has held a passion to help Christians plan and manage their finances in order to maximize their giving to Kingdom purposes. God has allowed him to work this out in several ways. Dr. Howard Hendricks influenced him to begin what later became a financial planning firm. He has written several books on this topic, and in 2003 he helped to found a ministry training Christian financial advisors to integrate God’s financial wisdom in their advice and counsel. In 2012, Indiana Wesleyan University established The Ron Blue Institute, which is dedicated to multiplying the over 40 years of professional experience and intellectual property of Ron through curriculum development and other products in multiple outlets worldwide. Ron and Judy, his wife of 50 years, live in Atlanta, Georgia. They have five children and thirteen grandchildren.
I have read several financial planning books over the years but I think I can honestly say that none have ever had the impact that Never Enough has had on my thinking. This isn't a mega book, in fact it comes in at only 213 pages. But those pages pack a punch.
Ron Blue's plan is simple yet complex. He uses the words Live - Give - Owe - Grow to show you how your money works in your life. In fact even if you aren't actively managing it these are still the areas that your money lands in.
During this tax season I particularly appreciated Ron's take on paying taxes. He presented it as a privilege rather than a burden. I honestly have never looked at it in that light but he's absolutely right. I pay taxes because of God's abundant provision in my life.
The other concept that is resonating is that of making more margin in our financial lives. And guess what, he encourages doing it without adding a second job! He uses a pie chart to show you how your money decisions aren't linear but rather circular. For instance you can't overspend on something and just continue on down the line. Instead when you overspend it comes out of the overall pie taking away from another area of your finances. It's an easy concept that makes perfect sense.
If you are looking for a book that will relieve the stress and guilt of money management then this is the one to get. The gentle reminders that God is in control of it all and that you can trust Him in every area of your life are a lovely way to begin setting your financial house in order.
I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
Powerful thought-provoking look at finances from a Biblical perspective. The challenges presented my the author are doable and the foundation for these challenges are centered in Christ and in knowing the Source and Owner of everything. I recommend this book for Christians who are ready to lived a transformed life in their finances. Allow the author’s wisdom to sink deep into your heart and begin acting today to becoming successfully wealthy in your living and giving.
This book is a compilation of stories strung together by biblical and practical advice on how to manage your money in a God-glorifying way–and why that even matters. I’m truth, God has given us only 5 options when I comes to the money we have: spend, save, invest, owe, or give. In this excellent book, Ron Blue breaks each option down to help the reader find freedom and joy in stewardship.
This has now become one of my most favorite finance books. You can tell that he practices what he preaches in reading his writing. He has a faith-filled approach to finances, and I love that! Money is a tool that God can use in our lives to draw us nearer to Him and to be salt and light on this earth.
I've taught and read a library of resources, Ron Blue does it again!
A fresh and up to date look at what folks really need to do and hear concerning personal finances. Was looking for page packed Ron Blue wisdom and experience, found it here!
It was okay. Turns out I just wasn't the right reader for this book. Its strength is covering the basic heart attitudes and mindsets and Biblical foundation necessary for wise finances. I'm well taught in this area, so what I really need is some seriously practical advice to better manage the financial details, which is precisely what Blue avoided doing.
ReedIII Quick Review: This book assumes, and maybe requires, that you are a Christian. If so, it offers wonderful God based advice with lots of supporting Bible quotes on how to achieve “Financial Contentment”. Warning; preachy and repetitive.
Helpful principles for those looking for some high level biblical money management wisdom. Not deep in the practical spheres of money management, so I ended with more questions than answers.
Ron Blue, along with daughter Karen Blue Guess, just released their newest book "Never Enough? 3 Keys to Financial Contentment." I have the privilege of teaching Ron's newly released curriculum for church's, "God Owns It All", and this book is for individuals what the study is for the church. The Bible has over 2,200 passages that speak to the importance of getting God's wisdom for financial stewardship, but the bottom line for all, Christian or not, is that: "After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content (1 Timothy 6:7–8, NLT). If you really want to be at peace with your finances, I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.
It is no secret that money management can be a challenge for many couples. In Never Enough?, Ron Blue and his daughter, Karen Guess, share how even though money and life are "inextricably linked" creating some challenges, you can apply the wisdom in this book to keep your finances at your best with God.
To start with, Blue/Guess offer 5 wise principles anyone can use to mange their finances in the best way. Then, using a pie diagram, they share how to basically divide your money into four categories: Live, the money I live on; Give, the money I give away; Owe, the money I pay for Debt and Taxes; and Grow, the money I save. The Never Enough? authors then break down these categories and further explain them to learn how to apply them to real life. Also, at the end of each chapter, there is a short re-cap so the reader can easily remember the most important principles. Never Enough? is down to earth in style and is written in such a way that it is easy to understand. There are also many real-life examples from people who applied the principles in this book ,which are especially helpful and encouraging.
I know this probably makes me weird but I like to read financial books. I always learn something new that helps my family and I manage our money a little better. Also, books like Never Enough? offer me encouragement to keep doing what I know God wants me to do in spite of a world that offers other directions. Never Enough? is honestly a good book to help learn the basics of managing your finances in a godly way. I also found it to be helpful in continually reminding me to pray about finances and my life and then proceed.
Ron Blue is a seasoned financial advisor with a long list of experience in helping others handle their finances. His daughter, Karen Guess, has been working with him for the last 8 years to write and create financial content. I especially appreciated how positive and upbeat this book was. It also had a tone of encouragement through the book in reminding readers that they can follow God and live each day making the most of the financial situation they currently have while adhering to basic money principles. I would recommend Never Enough? to anyone and everyone looking to improve their financial situation from a Christian perspective.
I received Never Enough? from Broadman and Holman Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.