How to be Rich by Andy Stanley

             There are some subjects that can stir up emotions and cause conflict in a home very quickly. One of those subjects is money. In western cultures, in particular, the pursuit of being rich can easily become a high priority in a person's life. But, as author Andy Stanley points out in the subtitle of his book "How to be Rich", it's not what you have. It's what you do with what you have.
             Andy Stanley is the Pastor at North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia. He is a seasoned leader and author. As a result, he has had the opportunity to observe the variety of ways people handle and view money in their lives. His book evolved out of a yearly series of messages he began to present in his church on the subject of money. And inside of it's pages, he offers Biblical wisdom regarding the proper attitudes towards the appropriation of wealth.
             He starts the selection with the understanding that we are already rich, based on the statistics of wealth from around the world. Then, following the encouragement of the scriptures, from passages such as 1 Timothy 6:17, he begins to instruct us on the attitudes we need to take toward money. What follows after that includes dealing with our assumptions about consumption, thoughts about gain and a proper understanding that God owns it all, among other truths.
              At first, I wasn't enthralled by the book. But, the longer I read it, the more I enjoyed it. It is very practical, simple and Biblical in it's scope. Although he does not focus on a lot of scripture verses, those that he does choose to insert are simple, practical and clear in their presentation. His illustrations are very vivid and he communicates the message well. I would recommend it as a good Bible study book for groups and it will remind you to keep the basic truths about money at the forefront of your thinking.
             I received this book for free as a part of the book review program for bloggers that is found at www.booklookbloggers.com. The views expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. No matter how much you make or have, we can all use the Bible's wisdom on how to use it well. And when we do, our wealth can be a tool that God will use to bless others and further the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.