I just finished reading Thomas Anderson’s “Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way”. I don’t actually remember how or where I heard about it, but somehow it found it’s way into my hands. Anyway, if you have been around ChristianPF much you know that I don’t subscribe to the theory that poor Christian’s are holier than wealthy ones. On the other hand, I also don’t believe that we should be stockpiling wealth on earth, but should rather be using it to advance God’s Kingdom and His purposes. Which in turn would equate to storing up treasures in Heaven. (Matt 6:20)
One of the first things I noticed was that Anderson was a student of Robert Kiyosaki. In fact Robert actually wrote the foreword for the book. While I don’t love everything that Kiyosaki preaches, I will say that Rich Dad, Poor Dad was one of the most influential books I have ever read. Partly because it was the first book I ever picked up that had anything to do with finances and secondly because he introduced a way of thinking about money and wealth that was completely foreign to me.
From Anderson’s writings it was pretty apparent that Kiyosaki may have had a similar effect on him. Anderson then takes some of Kyosaki’s thoughts and ideas and adds some additional value to them by proving them out with scripture.
(Interjection – I just decided that I want to bullet point the rest of this review – I think it will help me explain the book better and help you get more concise information!)
Thoughts about Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way
- Anderson uses a lot of scripture to disprove the theories that it is more righteous for Christians to be poor and even has some interesting insight that suggests that Jesus was quite well off Himself.
- I particularly liked how Anderson tied our faith that God is our supplier to action. I have seen a lot of people committed to Faith that God will supply their needs, but not to action. Anderson gracefully points out that while God could drop a million dollars from the sky, He is much more likely to provide for us by blessing the work of our hands. I don’t think I have read anything that brought balance to faith vs. action as well as chapter 12.
- At the end of the book Anderson explains from the Parable of the Talents that, “the only time Jesus calls us a good and faithful servant is when we are in the multiplying stage for the sake of the Kingdom…” He goes on to say that, “when we see these matters in the right perspective, we begin to work for the Kingdom without concern for money.” I was glad to see this. I personally believe that the key isn’t to become a millionaire just to be a millionaire, but because having a million dollars means that you can give a lot more into God’s Kingdom.
What the book is not
It is not a step-by-step guide to create wealth. It is more of a book to liberate people from poverty mentalities. He touches on practical elements a bit, but all in all this is not written to be a practical guide. Personally, I love practical guides, but books like this are necessary for most people before they are ready for a practical, step-by-step guide.
I would recommend it for…
- Those who want to get a better understanding of what the Bible says about our financial well-being.
- Those with a poor or middle-class mindset. The book helps you begin to think about money like the wealthy.
- Those who need a little kick in the pants to think beyond what they are doing right now.
Have you read “Becoming a Millionaire God’s way”? If so, please share your thoughts!
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Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve been looking for another book to read and I will definitely have to pick this one up.
Are you doing a giveaway? I would love to read this book as I expand my reading of personal finance books. I just finished reading 101 Ways to Magnetize Money (which I gave away on my blog, after receiving it from someone else) and it was a real eye opener.
Hey Bob,
Great post. That phrase of not taking action to be so true. I also believe we reap what we sow, and if we want the most out of our profession, we need to learn and be the best we can and then trust God with the results.
I know many Christians will have the belief and the “faith” that God will supply but they also forget we reap what we sow..so if they are bad workers, they will reap for their efforts.
Friend of mine told me he hired a Christian contractor to do dry wall and when he asked him his training, he said…”oh, I left my job b/c God called me into this field and the Holy Spirit just teaches me everything I need to know”…
Friend said it was the worse dry wall he’s seen and could have done better himself.
Chris
Christian Bookstore
I actually have this book at home, but have not had the chance to read it. Thank you for your review and for motivating me to read it.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alena
http://www.smallbusinessavenues.com
Thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely check this book out very soon!
Exactly how do wealthy people think about money?
How is thinking about money this way helpful when you lack money?
Bob,
Thanks for the review! I didn’t even hear about the book. It sounds interesting, though, because many people have this false notion that a Christian should be poor. It actually should be the opposite so that we can be a witness and expand the kingdom of God!
@poor boomer
How do wealthy people think about money? That’s one of the big questions answered in the Robert Kiyosaki book. He writes about how rich people think about buying assets instead of liability, and how rich people get their money to work for them instead of working for their money.
Does it not say in the bible, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” So why would I take advice from a christian on becoming a millionaire, as I do consider a millionaire to be, “rich”.