Money - God or Gift [Unknown Binding]

Product Details

• Unknown Binding
• Publisher: The Resurgence; 1ST edition (2010)
• ASIN: B00481JN6Y
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"A lot of grace! That sums up my life well." - Jamie

Jamie Munson is a husband, father, Copresident of Storyville Coffee and long-time pastor and board member at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. He is the author of Money: God or Gift.

Over the years he has had the opportunity to see a lot change, in his own life and the organizations he's had the privilege of leading and being a part of. He believes that Life is a gift, Leadership is an honor, and Legacy matters.

He aims to challenge and encourage leaders through practical, thoughtful, and honest publications--posts, articles, tools and books. To learn more please visit his site at www.jamiemunson.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent contribution to books on Money November 16, 2010

By Rick White

Format:Unknown Binding

There are many excellent books on money, generosity and stewardship...but few are as succinct and practical as this book. Taking his cues from Luke 12, Jamie skillfully addresses many of the hot-button questions and issues regarding money in the church. The very fact that he addresses the question of owning a flat-screen TV demonstrates that he is in touch with the most basic questions that the average American is asking or at least thinking.

Get this book. If you're a pastor, buy copies of this book for your leaders and make it available for your people either via a bookstore/library or by using it in your small groups.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and Theological. A great book! February 5, 2011

By A. Telloian

Format:Unknown Binding

Just like everything that comes out of Mars Hill Church, Seattle, Money:God or Gift, by Jamie Munson, is an intensely practical book about stewardship, God's desire for our giving, and our heart's inclination toward God. You'll quickly realize two things as you read through the pages of this slim book. 1) This book has virtually no "fluff" at all, and 2) Our hearts are much more connected to our bank account than we often acknowledge. We are all created to worship something, and this inclination can be expressed both religiously and secularly; as well as intentionally or unconsciously. In our culture we find that money is often times our god of choice, and Christians are often times an example of idolatrous devotion to this false God. We can worship money or we can worship God, not both. The challenge of Money is that it boldly calls you to choose, and confronts the hypocrisy of claiming both. Money is also about stewardship. The theology of stewardship is a mega-theme throughout scripture. Munson says, "Everything we have comes from God and belongs to God: life, family, money, resources, time, job, talents . . .everything. We are stewards of what God has given us. He owns it; we use it." (Money p19) It is off the foundations of worship and stewardship that Money delivers concise theology as well as practical wisdom on how we can handle our finances in a God-glorifying, grace-motivated way.

This book is a gut-check for me. It is bold enough to confront me with my sinful tendencies, encourage me where God's grace is at work, and make me ambitious for future growth. Munson challenges me keep a close watch on my motives and heart, and does not allow me to coast on misleading thoughts.... Thoughts like: I'm not in debt so I must be responsible; I tithe so I'm already ahead of the learning curve; Jesus, I've given enough, the rest is mine to do what I want. This book challenges me to think about whether Jesus is really lord of ALL my life, including my credit card. There were points reading this book where I was rejoicing at fruit in my life, sorrowful over sin, and connecting deeply with the themes and topics of this book.

[...] Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Investment January 4, 2011

By College Broke

Format:Unknown Binding

I am a senior in college just about to graduate and a little overwhelmed at the idea of figuring out how to pay off loans, live within my means, and be financially independent. This book could not have come at a better time. It gives practical advice that anyone can use to work towards becoming a good steward, living within his or her means, getting and staying out of debt, and living a life of giving. It turned what had been, in my mind, the chaos of finances into an understandable concept. Most importantly it took the focus off money and put it on Jesus. After reading this book I was able to set up a budget that allows for giving, saving, paying off loans and everyday living. There are no get rich quick schemes or promises of rich returns for generosity, but there are practical methods to steward the money God's given you well to glorify Him. Worth reading!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great little financial primer February 23, 2012

By C.L. Mershon

Format:Unknown Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase

Many years ago I was thoroughly indoctrinated into the Dave Ramsey philosophy of money and have since acted upon it. That said, Money by Jamie Munson is very much a primer into this philosophy but does not present it as a whole. There is, however, one main attribute which I feel sets it apart and makes it very much worth the read. That is that it focuses on the motivation behind our financial management and the end result we are working towards. Jamie Munson spends quite a bit of time dealing with the reasons why we should stay debt free as opposed to how. He also does a very good job of addressing the theology of stewardship which I have not heard very often of late. In the end, how we manage our money should not be all about remaining debt free. Instead it should be about how we can get our finances to a place where we can experience some freedom and the ability to be exceedingly generous when the opportunity arises.

A great book that I can happily recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gospel-Centered Approach on Money November 4, 2011

By really2k1

Format:Unknown Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was so happy to come across this book by Jamie Munson. During the past few years, I have gone from years of religion in church to being liberated by the Gospel. One of the things I have struggled with is my selfishness with my money. In comes "Money, God or Gift?"

The first strength of this book is that it is very tight. Words are not wasted at all. Jamie is very efficient with his words and is a very good teacher. The chapters are short and are the perfect length for family devotions or small groups.

The second is its vertical direction. Jamie asks the question: Who does our money belong to, us or God? Do we worship money? Or do we worship God with our money? Does our money belong to us or are we just managers of God's money? These are dangerous and potentially life changing questions to ask yourself.

The third strength is its Gospel centrality. For years I was taught that 10 percent was the requirement, which led me to legalism. I learned a few years ago that somewhere near 27 percent was required of the Israelites and after that they gave even more. Rather than legalism, Jamie shows that when we are freed by the Gospel, our hearts want to give. That leads to radical generosity instead of legalistic, joyless giving.

The fourth strength is that it keeps Gospel freedom tensioned with Gospel responsibility. It would be easy to say that we are free from the law and then give little to nothing. Jamie keeps these in tension perfectly, showing that we should not hoard our money, nor be wasteful with our money, enjoy God's blessings, yet at the same time be radically generous with our money. It's a tough tension to keep, but Jamie articulated it well....

The fifth strength is the number of practical ideas included within, much of which was consolidated by Dave Ramsey in books like Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace. These are good tips that will get you on track if you're in debt and in becoming more financially responsible.

I read this right before I read "Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn. I think they are very good companions to each other. Munson gleans some of the wisdom in his book from Randy Alcorn. I actually prefer Jamie's book because of it's Gospel Centrality, the tension it keeps that I mentioned above and the format of the book. Each chapter is really a devotional that you can stew in for a few days before moving on to the next one. There were a couple times that, because of my heart, I had to put the book down because I was convicted. Other times, I felt the weight of legalism drop off my shoulders.

Bottom line: Highly readable, Gospel-centered, very practical and concise. I would recommend it to any church as required reading for their congregation. I think it would free many people from legalism and lead to joyful, radical generosity, as it has in my life. I am now going through the book for family devotions with my wife and three kids. The Gospel truly sets people free. Thanks for pointing the way Jamie :) Read more ›