How to Be Rich by Andy Stanley

This small book teaches that all Americans are rich, as we live in the richest country in the world in the richest time in history. No matter how little we have, if we have enough money to buy a book, we are ahead of the vast majority of the world’s peoples. Once we understand that, we can consider the question of how to handle our wealth. Stanley addresses wealth from a biblical perspective, instructing us not to put our trust and confidence in wealth; those things should rest in God. To inoculate ourselves from the fear of losing wealth, we should practice generosity. The author says we should make this a priority, start by giving a percentage, and continue throughout our lives to progressively increase. The bottom line is to honor God with the resources He entrusts to us. Andy Stanley supplies some very practical pointers in avoiding the traps of, for example, affluenza, such as intentionally limiting our awareness of new products, as marketing is designed to create an appetite in us. Once you step on the treadmill with something new, it is difficult not to want to continually upgrade as new and better models are released. This book is well supported by biblical references. It is thought provoking and countercultural, even counterintuitive, but it is spot on. I recommend it. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

The Reason for My Hope

Billy Graham makes a clear and compelling case for salvation through Jesus Christ alone. This can be no surprise, as it has been his life’s calling and work. What is rather surprising is the many angles from which he approaches the subject and how well he incorporates personal and cultural examples. This book presents this most gifted of evangelists to a new generation in a way that is both simple and relevant. In Graham’s hands, the message of the gospel feels personal and fresh. This work is extremely well reasoned and well written. Billy Graham acknowledges that he had someone help him with research “of contemporary illustrations,” and this wise decision serves the book admirably. One sees why Billy Graham has been an effective communicator of the gospel for more than 70 years. His grace and humility leap off the page, as if he is talking to you alone. Obvious are his skills in both handling the Bible accurately as well as relating to people as individuals. Not to be overlooked is the fact that Graham is now 95 years old, and to have retained the ability to be this impactful over all these decades deserves great respect. This book is a masterful work, and I would recommend it to anyone. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.