Faithful Finances 101: From the Poverty of Fear and Greed to the Riches of Spiritual Investing [Hardcover]

Gary Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Now in paperback, this challenging and provocative book strips the veneer from the financial advice of some popular evangelical media celebrities and advocates a reintegrating of faith and finances.

Faithful Finances 101 is a first-person narrative by outspoken advocate of faith-based investing. A senior vice president of investments at Paine Webber before founding his own investment firm as "counsel to ethical and spiritual investors," Gary Moore warns that much of the economic advice emanating from some popular and influential evangelical authors and speakers is based on scare tactics and distortions of what the Bible has to say about finances. He draws on fifty years of studying the Bible, politics, and economics, and presents insights for those who want to be faithful in their finances—to use 100 percent of the time, talent, and treasure with which they have been entrusted for the glory of God as well as for the benefit of others and themselves, and not just give 10 percent of their incomes to the church.

"Many financial gurus are ignorant of spiritual matters. Many spiritual leaders are ignorant of financial matters. In a rare blend, Gary Moore brings together proven financial expertise with mature spiritual insights. This book is a must read for those who care about managing their finances faithfully." —David W. Miller, PhD, Yale Center for Faith and Culture, Yale Divinity School

"The book is hard-hitting, thought-provoking, and intellectually challenging, offering a Christian view of macroeconomics rather than a mere how-to guide for personal finance." —Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Gary Moore has a degree in political science and was a senior vice president of investments at Paine Webber before founding his own investment firm as "counsel to ethical and spiritual investors." He has since advised some of America’s well-known ministries, churches, banks, and individual investors. He is the author of five other books about integrating religion/spirituality with personal financial management, including Spiritual Investments, also published by Templeton. He has served as a trustee of the Crystal Cathedral, a trustee of Messiah College, a board member of the John Templeton Foundation, a board advisor to Bill Bennett’s Empower America, the lay leader of both a Lutheran and an Episcopal church, and a financial commentator for UPI Radio and the Skylight Radio Network. He lives in Sarasota, Florida, with his wife and teenage son.

About the Author

Gary Moore was senior vice president of investments with Paine Webber before founding Gary Moore and Company: Counsel to Ethical and Spiritual Investors, which provides investment counsel to banks, churches, and individuals. He is the author of several best-selling books and currently lives in Sarasota, Florida.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Templeton Press; 1 edition (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932031308
• ISBN-13: 978-1932031300
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sound Christian perspective on investing, December 5, 2003

By 

William Johnson (Gulf Shores, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faithful Finances 101: From the Poverty of Fear and Greed to the Riches of Spiritual Investing (Hardcover)

It was a real treat to find Faithful Finances 101 recently.

I was a Baptist pastor for 17 years and am now an Investment Representative with Edward Jones. It is difficult to find responsible, wholistic, and positive investment advice from a Christian perspective.

I appreciate the clear and precise critique of popular economic and investment perspectives prevalent among many Christians today. It was especially helpful that Moore was willing to name those with whom he disagrees. Unfortunately, there is often no other way to encapsulate a differing viewpoint than to name the teacher of that viewpoint (for example, Larry Burkett). I know this can be perceived negatively, but it seems to me that when a person is so distinctly identified with a particular point of view, the use of the name speaks much more to the teaching than the person. The critique was far from personal and dealt constructively with ideas that are often presented as the "Christian" point of view.

I suspect Moore has received some criticism for his differing viewpoint and the method he used. Hopefully, his approach will be seen as a constructive and challenging voice in what it means to live as a responsible Christian steward. I certainly saw it as helpful. It is troubling that these days thoughtful debate is often taboo. Perhaps we will come to a place in the future where differing voices are seen as different facets of the diamond rather than heretical thoughts.

For some reason, so many people forget how consistently wrong some of these negative Christians perspectives have been through the years. I suppose anything could happen in the future--as the old saying goes, "even a broken clock is right twice a day." But there is biblical wisdom that speaks to a different reality consistent with the investment market--one that is full of long term hope and possibility. The chapter on the 'Creativity of the Patriarchs' sent my mind thinking of the multitude of biblical examples concerning the responsible creation of wealth and stewardship in the world. Abraham diversified. Jeremiah bought on the worst day of the market. Solomon expanded boundaries. Nehemiah built an incredible organization and navigated challenging circumstances through creative leadership. Paul was an entrepreneurial businessman while doing ministry. Jesus taught that responsible investing is tantamount to kingdom living, and showed that self giving is the ultimate investment. There are many more but time does not permit.

We live in an incredibly challenging environment to live as responsible stewards in the world. There seems to be an exceedingly thin slice somewhere between negative Christian voices and a hostile, unethical world where Moore's wholistic Christian voice for responsible stewardship can navigate.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discover the Too-Often Hidden Dimensions of Real Wealth, June 27, 2003

By 

John E. Santosuosso "johnsanto" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Faithful Finances 101: From the Poverty of Fear and Greed to the Riches of Spiritual Investing (Hardcover)

Thinking evangelical Christians should find this book helpful. So would any other thinking person. Gary Moore brings his personal experiences, profound wisdom, and deep spirituality together to strip away the smoke and mirrors that all too often confuse people both spiritually and financially. He never promises riches. He does provide a firm, spiritually-oriented foundation that should help most people do very constructive things for others and themselves with their financial resources.

Some of what he has to say is the insight he has gained as a financial advisor and student of theology. Some is time-honored common sense. Sadly, as he reveals, too often religious and other leaders have advocated other paths, and the results may have been painful for those who took their advice.
Virtually anyone, from the wealthiest to those with very modest incomes, can find something in this volume which will be helpful and not difficult to follow. Moore empowers by giving the reader possibilities into what he or she may personally do to be a responsible steward, and his approaches literally work around the world. If you want to strengthen or renew your hope in your faith, yourself, and your world then "Faithful Finances 101" is an excellent place to start.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking ideas on finances, November 20, 2003

By 

Ashley Hodge (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faithful Finances 101: From the Poverty of Fear and Greed to the Riches of Spiritual Investing (Hardcover)

I have read many books on finances that you would find on the shelves of Christian bookstores. Some are biblical and give good advice. Many feed greed and fear motives and do little to help people integrate financial concepts into their daily lives. Gary's book does an excellent job at two things:

1. Accurately describing a biblical worldview of money. As he so often points out in this book, Christians have been told to give 10% to their local church. But few have been trained how to be a good steward of all the money, talent, time and health that God blesses us with.

2. Challenging conventional ideas in the "Christian" media that feed on fears- Y2K for example- or greeds- the give/ to get mentality that many unbiblical ministers promote. Gary does a terrific job of presenting a balanced and passionate way to live and think about money that is honoring to Christ.

I consider it sad when many in the church recommend books such as Rich Dad/ Poor Dad- a worldview that is not even remotely biblical. I would love to see every concerned Christian read, meditate on, and implement the ideas that Gary presents in this book. Every disciple of Christ that is interested in growing in the understanding of stewardship should buy and read this book.

Ashley Hodge, CFP
Dallas, Texas