- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Baker Books (Feb 1 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0801064082
- ISBN-13: 978-0801064081
- Product Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 1.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 281 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #515,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
"Why is it that in the face of unprecedented prosperity, so many of us feel discontented?" asks Simon, founder and past president of Bread for the World. In this hard-hitting and well-written book, Simon encourages North American Christians to examine how their materialistic culture has stunted their compassion and driven a wedge between themselves and God. Drawing on writers such as Richard Foster, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Johann Christoph Arnold, Simon speaks compellingly of "the poverty of riches" and "the weakness of power." This book does not make simplistic arguments about money being evil, but instead cautions about what money can do to corrupt people if they are not vigilant and rooted in God's kingdom. One especially insightful chapter explores the titular question of how much is enough, arguing that while there are no easy formulas, there are strong reasons for Christians to "stay behind the Joneses." This book stands with others by Tom Sine, Ronald Sider and Tony Campolo in arguing that social responsibility is just as important a value for Christians as personal holiness.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
In a world filled with both prosperity and poverty, how can Christians handle their finances in a way that honors God? In How Much Is Enough?, Arthur Simon takes an uncompromising look at America's wealth, reflecting what dominates the hearts and motivations of its people. He diagnoses Western civilization as sick with "affluenza," or runaway materialism, and shows readers how to reject the disease and set new priorities.
Churches, social ministry groups, and thoughtful readers will be enlightened by Simon's grasp of Western affluence against the backdrop of a world where 800 million people are chronically starving. Readers will gain a clearer understanding of how money becomes an object of worship when passion for material things is stronger than compassion for the poor. Simon's life-changing book also reveals how affluenza takes control of people's lives and goals.
Without discounting prosperity as a blessing, How Much Is Enough? proposes new pathways to living as disciples of Jesus. It suggests a myriad of solutions for taming materialism and sheds light on the profound reality that possessions may capture our hearts, but they are unable to nourish our souls.
Churches, social ministry groups, and thoughtful readers will be enlightened by Simon's grasp of Western affluence against the backdrop of a world where 800 million people are chronically starving. Readers will gain a clearer understanding of how money becomes an object of worship when passion for material things is stronger than compassion for the poor. Simon's life-changing book also reveals how affluenza takes control of people's lives and goals.
Without discounting prosperity as a blessing, How Much Is Enough? proposes new pathways to living as disciples of Jesus. It suggests a myriad of solutions for taming materialism and sheds light on the profound reality that possessions may capture our hearts, but they are unable to nourish our souls.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read For Those Wanting To Live a Life of Integrity,
By Kurt Senske (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: How Much Is Enough?: Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture (Paperback)
Arthur Simon has written a masterpiece. Being insightful but not judging, Simon describes why our culture keeps us from focusing on what is truly important and gently instructs us how to live a life of purpose and integrity. This easy to read book leaves us with a haunting feeling that there is so much more that we can do to make the world a better place. It forces us to leave our self-centered being to reach out and serve others. How Much Is Enough also demonstrates how adopting this framework for living will in turn benefit you as well as those you serve.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.8 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews) 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perspective,
By Jen Hatmaker Fan - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How Much Is Enough?: Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture (Paperback)
I happened upon this book at Amazon and it is one of the best books I have read. I finished it in about 2 days, put it down and then started all over again. We all need a fresh perspective on our lives now and then, and this book did that for me. When our lives are spent acquiring things it is easy to conclude that the quality of life is based on what we have or what can be purchased. This book is so important in the affluent culture we live and are raising our children. I love the viewpoint, that we often find ourselves "keeping up with the Jones'" when in fact WE are the Jones' for much of the population. We always seem to compare ourselves to those who have more than we have, not those who have less. This book is like taking blinders off your eyes!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book,
By Sister Benedicta - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: How Much Is Enough?: Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture (Paperback)
I recently purchased How Much is Enough? by Arthur Simon as it was required reading for a class I am taking. The book is easy to read and is full of thought-provoking and soul searching statements. Arthur Simon can be likened to a prophet in our own day and age. I thank him for making me question how Christian I have been. I am a Conservative and I expected to be put off by the content or the way the message was delivered ... I wasn't. I recommend the book to anyone who wants to grow spiritually.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
this will make you think,
By E. Johnson "Know what I like" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: How Much Is Enough?: Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture (Paperback)
I took a class and had to read this book--it will make you think and realize just how selfish and greedy we as a society have become. Highly recommend this one.
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