What If God Wrote Your Shopping List?: 52 Ways to Find Freedom from "Stuff"

by Jay Payleitner

How Do You Spend Your Time and Money?
 
Do you think there’s no connection between your choices as a consumer and your priorities in life? Think again.
 
The everyday items you buy—or choose not to buy—say A LOT about who you are as a person and what’s important to you. Consider bestselling author Jay Payleitner’s creative ideas for purposeful purchases, such as… Encounter these and 49 other finds on your way to realizing your shopping list from God isn’t about acquiring more material goods, but about living a good life filled with faith and wisdom.        
     
 

Genres: Spirituality

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

Jay Payleitner spent a decade in major market advertising. Learning how people think and doing some fun work. Including creating TV spots for Midway Airlines, Kroger, and Corona Beer. And heading up the creative team that named "SunChips."

But God called him into Christian media. And he became an almost-too-busy freelance producer. For more than a decade, Jay scripted and produced Josh McDowell Radio, Today's Father, Jesus Freaks Radio with TobyMac and Michael Tait, Project Angel Tree with Chuck Colson, and thousands of hours of radio that aired across the country and beyond.

Jay is a long-time affiliate with the National Center for Fathering and nationally-known motivational speaker for Iron Sharpens Iron, marriage conferences, men's retreats, women's events, writers' conferences, and weekend services.

Jay has sold more than half million books including the bestselling 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad and What If God Wrote Your Bucket List? His latest -- and perhaps most important release -- is The Jesus Dare.

This June, Waterbrook/Multnomah is releasing the surprising book, The Prayer of Agur.

Jay's books have been translated into French, German, Spanish, Italian, Afrikaans, Indonesian, Slovenian, Polish, and Russian.

He has been a guest multiple times on The Harvest Show, 100 Huntley Street, Moody Radio, Building Relationships with Gary Chapman, Cornerstone TV, and Focus on the Family.

Jay and his high school sweetheart, Rita, live in the Chicago area where they’ve raised five great kids, loved on ten foster babies, and are cherishing grandparenthood.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t what I expected / that great. Didn’t agree necessarily with what he said either.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple, but useful book about deciding what your true priorities are, and not getting too attached to 'stuff'. Jay Payleitner gives helpful advice from a Protestant Christian perspective, including lots of Biblical quotations. I found that much of the advice was directed at families or single people, and the book was also rather American. For example, there were chapters on baseball and lemonade stands



Some of the suggestions were quite old-fashioned, such as having a rocking chair. I certainly agreed with this one, because I regret not keeping my grandmother's rocking chair! Sitting in a rocking chair is soothing and relaxing, and not just for the elderly!



There were several chapters on making good decisions about what to keep and what to buy and even how to live as a Christian. I didn't agree with all of them. For example, one chapter suggested buying an alarm clock and doing early morning devotions. This is probably good - if you are an early morning person! I found the writing a bit dogmatic, unfortunately, and, although I am religious, I don't like books with too many Biblical quotations.



I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.



EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9780736977289
PRICE $12.99 (USD)

[Flora · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know those books that tells history in x number of objects? Well, this title reminds me of books like that. It features items or experiences that we might buy, and expands on spiritual aspects or practical aspects or just how we can improve our relationships with people with those purchases.

I was curious about what it says about art supplies as I LOVE buying art supplies. However, the chapter is not just for the artist or aspiring artist. It's for everyone exhorting us all to explore our creativity and use it to honor God and benefit others.

There are some items or purchases that we do not have access to outside of the USA. But we can simply replace them with items that are available in our area. It's not about the exact product itself but what it represents.

This book made me think about some of the things that I buy and definitely has been helpful.. This is an easy-to-read book, and for sure will make you reflect on your shopping habits.

Thank you Netgalley and Harvest House for the ARC. This is my honest review in exchange.

[Ginger Hudock · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is marketed to be a sort of simple living book for Christians. There are short chapters about some of the things in our lives. The first chapter encourages having a large table so that you can show Christian hospitality. The second chapter encourages the use of a mirror to examine yourself both physically and spiritually. Other chapters discuss things to have in your life that are not physical objects such a regular small group relationship or Sunday brunch.
This may be one way to consider your life from a Christian viewpoint, but it was just a bit too contrived a premise for me. I would life to thank the publisher for providing me a complementary review copy on Net Galley.

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder for Christians to be “God focused” when making purchases. Most of us have too many things that don’t serve a purpose but taking up space. What stresses you out with purchasing even simple everyday items such as mustard? God doesn’t wish for us to worry. He wishes for us to be kingdom focused and trust Him for our needs.

[Tiff · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. Why? Because it first started out strong, then it lost its initial topic in the middle, then came back to what it should be about, then diverted again. Hard to really follow. It honestly felt as if I was reading the memoirs of an ADHD person who couldn't keep focus.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

‘What if God Wrote Your Shopping List?’ While I was very excited upon reading the title and description of this book, I was sorely saddened to discover it was not even close to what I was expecting. I thought for sure it would be helping address our finances and the American materialistic mindset. Instead I found a list of items the author felt like every reader should invest in. I was very disheartened to find many of the suggestions that Payleinter tried arguing as Biblical were more his own opinions with a bit of scripture woven in. While the vignettes were short, the book felt almost painful at times to get through. I wanted to like it, but just could not.

I received an e-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won't turn handsprings over this book, but I won't say it's no good, either.....because it is good in some spots. I plan to use some of the lessons in a widows' group I'll begin at my church in July. Others I wouldn't use. But someone else might, so there you go.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives you ideas about how to determine proper priorities in your life. The author writes in a home-spun, non-preachy way.

[Amy Meador · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t the powerful read I was hoping for. Much more a collaboration of light hearted short stories than deep spiritual musings.

[Kristin Isaksen-Martinez · Rating 1 out of 5]

This the dumbest book I’ve ever read, and I’m stuck in an airport. One of the biggest waste of money. If you’re that dumb that this book is helpful to you. All the power to you. I don’t even want to donate this book. It’s THAT bad.