More Money Than God: Living a Rich Life Without Losing Your Soul (Hardcover)

~ Steven Leder (Author)
Key Phrases: Los Angeles, New York, Palm Springs (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gold is not a problem unless we fashion it into a calf to worship, according to this engaging volume of moral instruction. Leder, a rabbi and author of The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things, addresses the spiritual problems of accumulating and then liquidating wealth in a responsible fashion, reminding readers that wisdom, family, friendship, fulfillment and ethics all take precedence over mammon. His ecumenical approach invokes the teachings of Buddha, Christ and Abe Lincoln, but maintains a characteristically Jewish tone of religious obligation tempered by common sense and infused with a concern for social justice. Practical advice abounds, on tithing (a tenth-at least-of one's income should go to charity); on money and kids (make them work for it, and no credit cards before college); on business ethics (reasonable profits are okay, but don't take advantage of another person's ignorance of the market); on workaholism (keep the Sabbath holy, because "we must put limits on the degree to which we are willing to sell our soul for a dollar"); and on loans to relatives (better to co-sign than to lend outright). There's nothing surprising in these ageless verities, but Leder conveys them with a mixture of parables, proverbs, jokes and sermonettes (on, among other things, why marriage is a lot like fishing for halibut) that keeps them fresh.
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Review

"Steve Leder is everything we search for in a modern wise man. He offers remarkably healing guidance." -- Wendy Wasserstein, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright

"With wit, gentleness, and the forthrightness earned by love, this book speaks to those lost in the maze of wealth." -- Jerusalem Post

[A] practical, rational, refreshing book... -- Cleveland Plain Dealer

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Bonus Books (January 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566251958
• ISBN-13: 978-1566251952
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #472,441 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very rewarding book, December 22, 2003

By	Andrew Perry (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is such a good book. I loved it. It is a perceptive and compelling book that stayed with me long after I read it.
More Money than God is subtle and profound and gently offers guidance to enhance your life. It can be easy to lose sight of what really matters in life and this insightful book redirects our gaze from amassing wealth to appreciating those people around us who we love.

This is a powerful book and I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Save Your Money, June 17, 2006

By	Lucky1 - See all my reviews

There is little "traditional" wisdom here one would expect from a spiritual leader. The advice is simplistic and available any weekend in the financial section of most newspapers. Some theories advanced here are just plain way out. Sorry, I expected more and was very disappointed

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth Its Weight in God, March 29, 2004

By	Jerald Lazar (los angeles, ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

No matter how much, or how little, money you have, you will be enriched by this timely tome. Like Rabbi Leder himself, 'More Money Than God' is hip, funny, engaging, and wise. It helps us reexamine our relationship to money, and how money affects us and our relationships to each other. Too many of us let money guide our lives. Rabbi Leder teaches how age-old spiritual guidance -- and Judaic principles -- can help you sort out your own morals and values when it comes to things you really can't put a price on. Rabbi Leder provides just the right "light touch" so that 'More Money Than God' comes across as good old-fashioned shmoozing, not sermonizing. But the lessons here are timeless and invaluable, for young and old. What Rabbi Leder has to tell us is simple, but not simplistic. You and your family will benefit mightily from this book. I bought a copy for my teenage daughter, and I've heard her quoting from it to her friends -- enough said. Enjoy!