The Money Challenge: 30 Days of Discovering God's Design For You and Your Money

by Art Rainer

This isn’t where you thought you would be.

You were meant for more. Your money was meant for more. You and your money are meant for an exciting, adventurous, and satisfying purpose. God designed you, not to be a hoarder, but a conduit through which His generosity flows.

In The Money Challenge, Art Rainer takes you on a journey to financial health. But it is not simply for the sake of financial health. The Money Challenge was written to help experience God’s design for you and your finances.

Welcome to the adventure. Welcome to The Money Challenge.

 

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Money, Economics, Audiobook, Self Help

160 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2017

About the author

Art Rainer is the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and an MBA from the University of Kentucky. Art lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.

Reviews

[Jake Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short and simplified guide to ‘discovering God’s design for you and your money’. There is a cheesy side-story throughout the book about a girl named Annie, with whom the author illustrates his points, but aside from that the principles are great.

The plan is very similar to Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover, but more scripturally based than Ramsey’s material.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a flyover view of “Giving Generously, Saving Wisely, and Living Appropriately”.

[Veronica Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot! It had some of the same great ideas that Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University suggests. I liked that the money challenges themselves were short and to the point. I also really enjoyed that they made it more of a narrative with a character who is following along on the money challenges. I would recommend this book to everyone! The only reason I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 was because I have taking FPU with Dave Ramsey so most of it were things I had heard before.

[Jennifer L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Money Challenge: 30 Days of Discovering God's Design for You and Your Money by Art Rainer is a short book, but stuffed with content. At only 148 pages (and in a smaller sized hardcover book, at that!), this book is an easy read to get anyone started on their financial plan.

Being a savings and finance blogger, there was nothing new to me here, but I like to review books like this to let my readers see what is out there as resources. This book is one that I would highly recommend.

Even though I am good with money, I am not where I would like to be in life with my bank account. Part of that is because I took care of my sick mother for so long, meaning I couldn't get a job outside the house. So, I feel like I'm starting again when it comes to money. I'm sure I'm not the only one in mid-life like this.



This is a unique book because it is a finance book written like a novel. It was a quick read, and very easily understood. It covers everything from savings to retirement to living wisely.

The one thing I disliked about the book was I felt there was an over-emphasis on getting your finances in order so you can give money to worthy organizations. I agree this is a worthwhile thing to do, but I am not sure I will ever be able to be in a situation where I give money as much as I give other things. I am a coupon queen, so I can donate diapers to a women's shelter without much money out of pocket. If I become aware of a need, I can go into my pantry and grab a few bags of groceries to give to some (or a food bank) from what I have gotten for free. I feel the idea of in-kind giving was left out of this book, and for some of us that is much easier for us to do -- as well as making our money go further. I can get at least twice if not three times more using coupons than if I gave the same amount of cash to a food bank. So my caveat about this book is don't forget about the gifts and talents you have that you can also donate, because that is an important part of giving as well.

I really appreciated the chapter about living appropriately. I know many would not think I live appropriately because of my travel, but I spend very little on it. I use credit card rewards. Also, I want to point out here that our perception of others might be they live more lavishly than they should, but you may not be aware of the whole story. There was one year I had a number of free coupons for a fast food restaurant. I knew I wasn't going to use them all, so I gave them to a thrift store to give to homeless and semi-homeless people so they could get something hot to eat. Some might think those people were living inappropriately by getting an egg biscuit, but in reality they didn't pay anything for it. So, I feel it's important to only judge our spending, and not worry about what other people do.

Another thing I disliked was the avoiding separate accounts when married. I know the reasoning, that marriage is for life, you have to be all in, etc. But in cases of abuse (by either party), its a good thing to have some money set back to help you get away from the abuse. I know of more than one friend who wishes they would have done this.

I do highly recommend this book. Unlike many other books of this genre, this is a short read with suggestions that you can implement and immediately see changes. If you are new to trying to get out of debt, I highly recommend this as you won't get bogged down in extended explanations. The length is great if you also have a short attention span or think you can never get out of debt, because you CAN do this.

I was provided with a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

[Josh Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pastor friend of mine shared with me that he gives this book out to all prospective members who attend their Starting Point class. Having not heard of the book, I decided to purchase one and read it.

In my opinion, "The Money Challenge" is appealing to readers for three main reasons:

1) It is short & succinct. In a day & age where fewer people read, a smaller, shorter book is good. Not everyone is as enthusiastic about reading as I am. I feel confident that if I gave this book away, more people would read due to its concise message and smaller format.

2) The "narrative" story line within the book works well to take a subject that some people gloss over and weave some important principles. Everyone likes a story!

3) The principles contained therein are truly Biblical principles. To give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately all come from the pages of Scripture.

You or anyone you know will be helped by reading & following the principles laid out in this short book!

Here are a few quotes that resonated with me:

"In God's economy, the amount sacrificed always supersedes the amount given."

"Generous people do not wait for opportunities to come to them. They seek out ways to bless people."

"When our lives are centered on possessions, our primary hope for a better life is to have better possessions."

"Unwise spending provides short-term enjoyment & long-term burdens."

"Living appropriately is managing your resources in a way that is both financially healthy and Kingdom-advancing. Your lifestyle can either help or hurt your ability to live generously."

"For better or worse, you will reap the financial fruit of the decisions you are making today."

How to Spot a Generous Person

1. Generous people tend to be satisfied people - except for one thing: the amount they give away.
2. Generous people also say "yes" more than they say "no."
3. Generous people do not wait for opportunities for generosity to come to them.
4. Since generous people do not think of themselves as owners, they don't talk about "their" possessions.
5. Generous people have a sense of levity & energy unlike others.

[Kyle Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Financial health is not itself an end, but a means to a much more significant and fulfilling end."

Art Rainer has written a very practical and powerful book about financial health. This short book will serve as a wake up call to those that have fallen short of God's command to give generously. The format of this book is enjoyable to read. It doesn't just outline the principles and preach about generous giving. Instead it follows Annie, the typical person who wants to give more to others but feels like she doesn't have the means. She meets a financial advisor at her local bank that helps her get on the right track. He presents the biblical concepts and the money challenges to Annie over the course of a month. Throughout this, Art Rainer expands on the concepts and provides practical ways to advance God's Kingdom. The purpose of this book is not to teach the reader how to get out of debt, save for retirement, and build a more substantial savings, although it does stress the importance of these things. Rather the point of this short book is to help the reader realize and live out Gods plan for our life and finances and to be more open-handed with our resources.

The biggest hurdle that most people face in wise financial stewardship, aside from feeling that they do not have enough money, is often knowing where to start. Art Rainer gives clear, biblically based, practical wisdom about why and how we should follow God's formula for money to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately. The three-fold challenge to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately is mapped out in clear, practical, and obtainable steps.

God designed us to be a conduit through which His generosity flows. Now is the time to take action in our lives and live out this purpose. I highly recommend this book to all Christians, especially those who desire to reclaim financial health according to God's plan. I received this as a free ARC from B&H Publishing Group on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Salena]

The Money Challenge by Art Rainer

Book 18 of 2017 completed!

This book is a 30 day journey to accomplish three goals; give generously, save wisely and live appropriately.

A major part of giving as a Christian is tithing. Tithing is an Old Testament biblical concept that 10% of your increase goes to the church. Tithing is a way Christians remain humble (understanding you are not in control), trust (giving the first 10% shows trust in the lord to provide), have the right mindset (You are a STEWARD of the lords resources). Tithing is not solely monetary, you can tithe your time, skills, talents etc. To set the record straight, God does not need your money; tithing builds discipline or self- control (a fruit of the spirit).

Another component of being a good steward is saving. We all have goals that will require money. Instead of going into debt, make a plan and save to fund them.

Live appropriately don't spend more than you make. If you are currently in this boat, spend some time this week evaluating where you are. How much debt do you have? Do you have a plan to pay them off? What's the deadline? Are you robbing from your future for today's expenses?

If you are sick and tired, feeling stressed, hopeless about finances- give this plan a try!

In lieu of takeaways, I have assignments for everyone:
1. Make a list of your debts.
2. Review your last 3 bank/ credit card statements - what did you spend the most money on? Were you surprised?
3. Use cash only for one week.
4. Save for pop-up expenses.

#read52booksin52weeks

[JPaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Money Challenge
The Money Challenge has generous living as its goal. It's less Christ focused than Randy Alcorn' s, The Treasure Principle, but more so than Dave Ramsey. The author almost seems to assume that the reader has already read through, Ramsey' s, total Money Make Over, with just a passing nod to the envelope system, and brief explanation, as well as the "snowball method" of debt elimination. The author uses narrative to teach his points through a series of challenges given to the main character, a young women named Annie, who has fallen into financial difficulty. Annie's instructor is a generous banker named, G.B. who meets with Annie on several occasions at the bank and gives her a few challenges during each meeting. The story line helps to keep the book moving and makes the challenges more interesting. It's less detailed in practical terms than Ramsey's TMM. There's no line item monthly budget for instance. But for introducing the general principles of being generous, saving, and living appropriately, it's a fun easy read.

[Tiffany Tubville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with clear outline of how to manage money according to the scriptures. The chapters start with a fictional storyline of a banker and a woman, where he is helping her with daily money challenges, and then it goes further into description of the topic in the chapter. The advice given is similar to Dave Ramsey’s, with some slight differences such as a $1500 starter emergency fund instead of $1000 and matching the 401k with what the employer offers before getting out of debt (Dave recommends stopping all retirement investment so you have more to throw at the debt, then resuming after the 3-6 month emergency fund) but other than that it was on the same track. The scriptures given were explained very well in the further discussion on each topic, I’d love to use some of the material for my stewardship ministry. It was broken down very simply in the main goal of “give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately” and then giving examples of how we can do that. “God did not design us to be hoarders, but conduits through which His generosity flows”.

[Hope Wiseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Dave Ramsey & Randy Alcorn's "The Treasure Principle" had a book baby this would be it. It's concise, approachable, and has excellent principles. One criticism is that it assumes one is making an adequate income. Which might be the majority of americans, however it doesn't give much of a nod to those who really are in financial distress not due to their own sin but from simply experiencing hardships or injustices that are out of their control. It's a pretty optimistic book about the economic landscape and its future so id like to have heard a balance to being faithful with your finances and resting in God's care for you even though you may be walking through components of systematic economic oppression.

[Katie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book for those looking to get started in becoming excellent at money management as well as those who need a boost in their currently ways of money management. I love how the book is written with a short story woven throughout the beginning of each chapter and then we are provided with some extra practical advice on biblical money management. My favorite part is how Art Rainer focuses on the primary purpose of our money as being a way to join in God’s plan to redeem the world by being conduits of generosity, rather than hoarding our financial resources for ourselves only.
This is a quick read and has lots of biblical truths as well as practical tips to apply right away.

[Karl Dumas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good information about budgeting, and especially about how to make giving to God a priority. There is a clever little story told, in which a young, heavily in debt, woman, learns to experience the blessings of giving in a sacrificial (biblical) way. I read the whole book in about an hour, but it's really designed to be digested over a period of several days, and accepting the 'money challenges' at the end of each chapter.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this little (146 pages) book Art Rainer challenges us to Give Generously, Save Wisely, and Live appropriately. He spends more time helping us analyze our own hearts and assumptions about money than the nuts and bolts or detailed step-by-step plans, but their are other books for that.

Four generosity killers are identified as well: Keeping Up With the Jones, Debt, Disorganization, and The Financially Separate Marriage.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Practical and accessible, but I really wish Art had dispensed with the hokey story about the young lady who's finances are out of control so she goes to her "Generous Banker" for weekly counseling sessions. The principles would have been better presented with illustrations or statistics or examples, rather than the poorly written story about Annie.

[C.J. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

It served its purpose. I'd recommend it as a start for newlyweds especially. It's practical enough, though you'll need another book if you want something detailed, especially when it comes to paying off debt and creating a budget. The book could've done without the fictional narrative throughout.

His premise is simple: (1) Give generously. (2) Live appropriately. (3) Save wisely.

[Callan Glascock · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you grandma for this book! going to call her tmmrw to talk about it. it’s about exactly what you think it’s about but there are some good reminders. i need to budget and be aware of the money i have because at the end of the day it’s not my money but the Lord’s. i’m just meant to steward it in a way that honors him.

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good material, a lot of which seems tweaked from Dave Ramsey's "7 Baby Steps." I'm all for more financial literacy, especially among millennials. I'm not sure if the "30 day" plan is the most useful way to go about it, but better than no plan!

[Justin Leitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and practical advice on how to start treating money faithfully as a Christian. Simply put, we ought to "give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately". I would advise any Christian in the US to read this book as an introduction to handle finances as God designed.

[Sidon Cottle · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was amazing!!! the main points were clear and memorable, a very practical book. It's a book i can see myself going back to, when i find myself going of track as it relates to stewarding my possessions.

JrCottle⭐

[Michael Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually my eyes glaze over when people talk about money. So I really appreciate how biblical, easy, and short this book is. It helps me to use my money for God: to give generously, save wisely, and live appropriately.

[LB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short, straightforward take on money and the Christian way to approach it. Helpful and practical tips throughout. Would recommend to anyone struggling with money or looking for practical ways to be more generous.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to agree with a few people this book is really good. it teaches things similar to what Dave Ramsey teaches. I have taught Dave Ramsey and i think a lot of times when people say they can't afford Dave Ramsey that they would be able to buy this book and learn a lot.

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think some would love the storytelling (parable) style more than I did. If you’re looking for a practical book on finances, I’d recommend Ramsey’s Legacy Journey first as the principles are remarkably similar.

[Brandyn Correa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Basic Principals Told in a Captivating Way

This book was great, very easy read. I enjoyed the story that went along with each chapter/challenge. While this is told from a biblical perspective anyone can learn solid money habits from this book.

[Isaac Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living Generously is not just about money. Live open handly and wait with every resource God has given you. Always remember, God designed us not to be hoarders, but conduits through which his generosity flows.

[Casara Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The advice is simple albeit wise. I just seldom appreciated the execution of said advice. In the end, it was a short read, so it was worth pushing through, if only for the few kernels I did appreciate.

[Cherie Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic life, giving read. Great for beginners and even those who already know the principles explained. Well worth the investment.

[Candi Hadley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hokey, but easy to understand. Good tips for getting your finances in order so you can be generous to others.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, concise read about how to manage your money in a way that honors the Lord!

[Tibor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, succinct and practical. Even if you are practising the principals listed in this book, you'll benefit from a refresher.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave Ramsey Condensed!

Principles are the same as Dave Ramsey teaches but in a fun and condensed way. If you don’t want all the details get this book!