Money, Purpose, Joy: The Proven Path to Uncommon Financial Success [Paperback]

Matt Bell (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 12, 2008

Utilizing God's timeless principles to orient your use of money around His purpose for your life will put you on solid financial footing. Money, Purpose, Joy will help you clarify your purpose and teach you a practical, biblical process for using money to fulfill that purpose.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Money and things--the more we have, the more we want. Of course, we all know that "More" is a game that can't be won. No matter how much we get, it's never enough. But deep down inside, part of us clings to the hope that the next time will be different--with a little bit more we'll be happier. So we keep up the pursuit. Fortunately, there's a better way to manage our money and our lives: Turn toward home.

Just as the prodigal son wandered from home and squandered his inheritance, so have many of us wandered from the financial home God prepared for us. In this inspiring and instructive book, financial writer and speaker Matt Bell helps you redirect your use of money to meet your deepest longings--to turn toward the life God intends for you.

From the Back Cover

Money and things—the more we have, the more we want. Of course, we all know that “More” is a game that can’t be won. No matter how much we get, it’s never enough. But deep down inside, part of us clings to the hope that the next time will be different—with a little bit more we’ll be happier. So we keep up the pursuit. Fortunately, there’s a better way to manage our money and our lives: Turn toward home.

Just as the prodigal son wandered from home and squandered his inheritance, so have many of us wandered from the financial home God prepared for us. In this inspiring and instructive book, financial writer and speaker Matt Bell helps you redirect your use of money to meet your deepest longings—to turn toward the life God intends for you.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (August 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600062792
• ISBN-13: 978-1600062797
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,280,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Matt began his career as a radio journalist, with his work featured on National Public Radio, the NBC Radio Network, and several other networks. His reporting earned national awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and United Press International.

Today, Matt is a full-time personal finance writer and speaker. He serves as Associate Editor at Sound Mind Investing, America's best-selling investment newsletter written from a biblical perspective. Matt is the author of three personal finance books published by NavPress: "Money, Purpose, Joy" (September 2008), "Money Strategies for Tough Times" (April 2009), and "Money & Marriage" (March 2011). Matt has been featured in many media outlets, including USA TODAY, U.S. News and World Report, the Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows.

Matt holds a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from DePaul University, where he wrote a thesis about the emergence of America's consumer culture and its influence on people's beliefs and behaviors.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best New Book on Stewardship November 4, 2008

By K. Behr

Format:Paperback

Matt Bell's book, "Money, Purpose, Joy" is one of those rare books on stewardship that should be read by those that are struggling, those that are succeeding and those that are stuck somewhere in between. The book covers both the Biblical basis of understanding personal financial integrity and also launches into proven financial disciplines that will work.

Matt introduces some new terminology that is extremely helpful in providing examples and contrasts of personality types and attitudes towards spending, saving and building. His own testimony as a "Prodigal Son" is inspiring and is a great reminder that we can embrace a new vision to use money in ways that bring freedom and joy.

As a Pastor that enjoys teaching stewardship, I have a new favorite book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your average financial planning book! November 4, 2008

By T. Thompson

Format:Paperback

As somebody who teaches financial planning workshops on a regular basis, I really appreciated how instead of simply mentioning tips for budgeting, getting out of debt, investing, etc., Matt Bell really sought to seek out the root cause and issues underlying our decisions or financial issues. It was really refereshing and encouraging to read. Even after reading many financial planning books, it was exciting to pick it up and read it during my daily. I hope people read this book and realize that keeping up with the Joneses isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's ok to live counterculturally, especially when the result is a life of more meaning and joy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique and Powerful Challenge September 17, 2008

By E-Cowboy VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Rarely do you read a personal finance book that says one of the main problems with our finances (and, undoubtedly, there are many for the average American!) is that we haven't stretched far enough. No, Matt Bell isn't encouraging the reader to extend that line of credit just a bit further or to take advantage of that "great" new credit card offer, rather Bell writes that we've been fed a lie and believed it wholeheartedly. Culture would have us believe that we're consumers - wasters, really - and that we're fulfilling our economic obligations when we buy, buy, buy.

In "Money, Purpose, Joy", Bell offers a different challenge: to be builders, not consumers. Instead of fruitlessly throwing money after the latest craze, we should build into the relationships that matter most - starting with God. Bell writes that we need to flip our money usage from: Buy, Save, then Give - to Give, Save, then Buy. This allows us to invest/build into things of significance - these are the things that we should be stretching for.

Though there are a number of personal finance books to be found, this one stands apart. Read it and be challenged.