Christian Study - Book Review - The Christian Next Door

The Christian Next Door

The cover of the book declares, "This is the book that is changing people’s lives." Such is the claim of the best seller The Millionaire Next Door. It is now a cliché to say that we are a people whose primary focus is making money. The success of books such as this one, only confirm what we already know; people want to be rich above everything else. In the eighties we called it greed. Today, we call it planning for financial independence. The result is the same.

But what of Christians; are we repelling the temptation to make the pursuit of wealth a priority of life? Sadly, an argument could be made that this is the most common sin among Christians in our society.

A careful study of the Biblical perspective of money will help us reshape our attitudes. 1 Timothy chapter 6 helps us understand God’s view of money for our lives. One way to summarize the various lessons in this passage is as follows:

1 – God cares how we make money

2 – God cares what we do with money

3 – God cares how we feel about money

God cares how we make money. "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim. 6:9,10 (NKJ)

Our review of this admonition initially causes us to focus on those of the world whom through sins against society attempt to become rich. We think of the thief or those that support themselves through legal but immoral means. We even think of the tax cheater or the pilferer (Tit. 2:10). Even in this world, they often receive stiff punishment for their improper actions. Hopefully, the Christian always conducts him or her self with full integrity.

But there are other improper means of earning a living. There is the workaholic that robs family and the church of a properly balanced life. The man that will consistently work instead of meeting with the saints, perhaps volunteers because the overtime is good. Then there is the dual income family that sends small children to daycare to let others raise them. All of this is done of course, under the guise of "I have to provide for my family." But the prices to be paid are too great, broken families, failed children, poor health and minimal Christian service. They have "pierced themselves through with many sorrows". Such choices are only rational to those who are entrapped in the "snare" of pressing for some desired level of affluence. Paul said earlier in the chapter; "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Tim. 6:6-8). The minimum requirement for living and contentment is a very small amount of this world’s goods. By the Bible’s definition, in this country, we all have affluence. Creating any kind of imbalance in our lives to pursue more is to be caught gaining money in the wrong way.

God cares what we do with money. "Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

1 Tim 6:18-19

Giving properly is a primary consideration for all Christians. The general religious world gives quite poorly. The average church attending family in America gives $512 per year. While gifts vary widely by denomination from $386 to $1,696, none reflect the generosity of both the Old and New Testament examples. A normally accurate barometer of faith is giving. Christians that are not caught up in the world’s view of money will consistently out give their religious neighbors.

But Paul’s principal concern here is really benevolence on a personal level. There is an attitude of readiness, a "quick draw" for the wallet to help those in need. The person who is consistently giving money away is not likely to be caught in the trap of improper wealth pursuit.

One thing that helps the Christian to use their money properly, is the concept of stewardship. Too often we spend the money only on ourselves and frivolously. The Millionaire Next Door suggests that one should live beneath their means; "frugal, frugal, frugal" the chapter heading declares. This admonition is intended to help make one rich. But in applying it to Christians, it will help us give more. Christians should live below their means, whatever they might be, in order to be in a position to give benevolently.

God cares how we feel about money. "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy." 1 Tim 6:17. As with many New Testament topics, the hearts of men and women is the central issue. Paul describes in this verse two issues of the heart; being haughty (arrogant, conceited, high-minded) because of money and trusting in money.

Affluence can change people’s view of themselves. Too often self-esteem is determined by economic standing. When an individual is doing pretty well in this world they feel good about themselves. But if they hit an economic crisis they become depressed and all their energy becomes centered on fixing their money problems. The world has taught us to think that way.

Affluence at whatever level can change our attitude toward others. Being haughty means: I am more important than you are, I am a better citizen, I am smarter and even, I should have a greater say in the work and direction of the church. Paul condemns such thinking.

Another heart problem for Christians is trusting in riches. The Millionaire Next Door is intended to help us reach "financial security". It is the great American dream to be in a position where you can be totally independent. As an individual builds their income and assets there is a tremendous risk of trusting them for our future, rather than God. This verse provides us with two perspectives that should help shape our attitudes. First, "rich in this present world" calls attention to the temporary nature of current conditions; Christians should have an eternal focus. I have never seen a personal financial strategy that planned for the second 100 years, much less eternity. Secondly, we see the term uncertain riches. We all know that there are substantial risks to wealth in this world. The more you have the greater the potential for loss. As I write these words, the nation is interested in the stock market. Is it over valued? Will there be a crash? How will investors respond? But even if fortunes great and small survive this life, they are of no value in the life to come. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Tim. 6:7)

Is your life wrapped up in money and your ability to produce it? If you were to awaken tomorrow without a job and a substantial portion of your assets gone, would your self-esteem and trust in God survive?

We are bombarded daily with messages that can improperly influence our view of money. As we as a nation, and a brotherhood become increasingly affluent, there is a grave danger that we will succumb to these influences. It will always be true in a free society that individuals will have varying levels of income and wealth opportunities. This is good and proper. But whatever our level, let’s be certain we are making our living properly, using our blessings as good stewards and maintaining a healthy view of money and its position in our Christian lives.

1The Wall Street Journal Almanac 1998, Dow Jones and Company, 1998. P. 723

2The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley, Ph.D. and William Danko, Ph.D., Longstreet Press, 1997, p.27

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