Redeeming Money

Paul Tripp does what he knows best, which is to show the centrality of the Gospel and of the Christian worldview in matters related to money and anything else.

This is a great book to help you put money into perspective and, filled with practical examples, to illuminate the idols of your heart.

How you handle your money says a lot about your heart. Paul Tripp explores what Scripture has to say about money and how it fits into a “Gospel Worldview” that centers on God and his glory. His style is blunt without being rude or arrogant, and he provides much needed perspective in our materialistic society. I would have appreciated a little more discussion of situations where circumstances beyond a person’s control (e.g. medical debt) put them in financial difficulties, but overall it was excellent.

What this book does not do is offer practical solutions if you have gotten yourself into a “money mess.” This is more of a big-picture book, all about heart attitude, motivation, etc.. I would love to see the author write a follow-up with “now that you have a godly perspective, let’s fix this.”

The focus of this book is on money and our hearts in relation to it. Beginning with a sound theological basis, Tripp sets forth foundational precepts that are biblically based. Just a few include surrender to Gods glory, the life transforming power of grace, and the importance of an awareness of the pervasive presence of sin in our world. He does not mince words about the power that money holds over most of us. He also offers much hope for each of us in getting a handle on the proper biblical perspective on money, weaving many bible verses and examples throughout the book. This book is for those on all levels of the economic spectrum, because he shows with great clarity that it is the attitude of the heart, not the amount we have or do not have that is the issue for most of us. I find Tripp to be a bit wordy and repetitive at times, and I fear because of this, sadly he may lose a few people. A worthwhile book for all.

I received a free advance copy of this book from Crossway and NetGalley.

If you are looking for a book that tells you step by step how to spend your money, this is probably not the book for you. If you are looking for a book that will apt you on the back and make you feel that you are doing a good job with the money that God has blessed you with, this is also not the book for you.

However, if you want to be challenged in how you dear with money- read this book. Throughout the book Tripp reminds us over and over that the money which we have is not ours. Therefore we should give freely to others , live generously and realise that much of the issues surrounding money are not money issues at all but rather are issues of the heart. This is a gospel centred, scripture saturated book that every believer, rich or book, drowning in debt or debt free would do well to read.

“Redeeming Money” should be the precursor to any other book about money you’ve thought about reading. It isn’t filled with budget ideas or how to build your savings; instead, “Redeeming Money” digs down to the deepest issue—your heart. Paul David Tripp asks his readers to examine what drives their use of money, and he repeatedly and expertly points them to the Gospel.

This is one of those books you’ll reread over and over again, and then you’ll want to recommend it to everyone who will listen.

We need a brand new way of thinking about money, a way that is rooted in the gospel story and its narrative of the lavish grace of God, most powerfully pictured in the amazing gift of the Lord Jesus. Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God frees us from our bondage to ourselves (in terms of money, that means always starting with our interests and concerns) and he frees us to find our identity, meaning, and purpose in him. e calls us to embed our personal money stories in the larger generosity story of Scripture. This means resting in the fact that he has committed to provide everything we need (not want) and accepting that he calls us to be part of his mission of grace. So we view our money not primarily through the lens of personal provision, but through the lens of God's generosity mission on earth.

We can have the best budget, make good money, have a righteous attitude in how we handle our money or be in despair in how we spend our money, all of this comes to the heart. What the heart wants, what the heart prides itself with is revealed in how we view money. How we spend it and how we make it. Tripp is one of my favorite bible teachers as he does not make it about the deed but about the heart. The desires of the heart. Jesus spoke more about money than he did about heaven and hell. Because the money leaves a trail of where our heart really is. I liked that is study is not only about the one who doesn't handle money well but also the one who never has to worry about money. What it all comes down to who would be without all the gifts God has given to each of us.

There is a rescue and surrender aspect of money. We need to be rescued from the pull of money, the love of money and surrender our desires to what will be for eternity. The love of money is real to deny it will be disastrous. Tripp even admits that he himself struggles with this and it would do ourselves likewise. We deal with money every day. We are bombarded with living the good life now and keeping up with everyone else. Money makes a terrible God according to Tripp but money is not evil but the love of money can drive us to evil.

I highly recommend this read as it is not a list of things to do but more of list to be.

A Special Thank You to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.