Wesley K. Willmer. God & Your Stuff. Navpress. 2002.

God & Your Stuff is an eye-opening book that may dramatically change the way your view your finances and your physical possessions. Reading and applying the principles taught in this book will change your outlook on life in general. It will surely focus you on serving God with your heart and possessions. The author clearly shows that Jesus Christ himself links our stewardship to our spiritual development.

Chapter 1: God's Map for your Stuff and Your Soul

The author begins with showing you "God's Map for your Stuff and Your Soul". Willmer states:

In the parable of the rich man in Luke 16, Jesus lays out three basic principles that would transform our lives if we only applied them. In summary, they are:

1. Our possessions are to be used as a tool to further God's kingdom here on earth;
2. They are given to us as a test to see how much responsibility we will be given in heaven;
3. They serve as a trademark to those around us that we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. [page 13]

Reading through the remainder of this chapter explains these important principles. The author also shows the parts of the test we are given on earth to determine our heavenly responsibilities. This was eye opening to me and a different viewpoint on the meaning of this particular parable.

Willmer ends the chapter by talking about the fact that most American Christians are more interested in getting people saved than in developing true disciples of Christ. Learning to handle our belongings and finances is an important mark of a discipled Christian.

Chapter 2: Spiritual Growth and Your Stuff

Jesus clearly linked our material possessions to our spiritual growth. Matthew 6:21 teaches us that our heart is where our treasure is. Are we worried about accumulating wealth and possessions here on earth or are we more concerned with reaching others with helping God's kingdom grow? He teaches the importance of stewardship of both money and physical possessions.

Chapter 3: Marks of a Mature Steward

The author presents "Fowler's Stages of Faith" and shows how they are linked to our stewardship as shown through our financial giving to the church and our use of physical possessions. Again, the growth of our spiritual self is closely linked to our stewardship of what God has allowed us to have.

Chapter 4: How Then shall You Become a Faithful Steward?

Ten biblical principles of giving are presented in this chapter. First, we have to declare the Lord of our life - simply put, are we worshipping man's wealth or God? Christ clearly teaches that faithful stewards will take what their master has entrusted to them and leverage it to at least earn some interest. If we fail to do so, the little we have will be given to someone else. Principle 3 is to "Count Your Blessings-You Have More than You Realize". He mentions the blessings of family, friends, health, food, home, clothes, work, money, and faith. The next principle is to "Give to God First-Just Do It." We are not to give from the "leftovers" but from the top. 1 Corinthians 16:2 teaches us to "Give to God Systematically". 2 Corinthians 8:8-12 talks about "Give According to Your Means. Obviously, the person with more income should be able to give more. We should "Give Cheerfully" as instructed in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. Paul taught his followers to "Give Regularly". Jesus instructs us to "Give to God Generously and Quietly. We should "Give Regardless of our Circumstances".

Some financial facts were presented: Most families spend more than they earn each year thus accumulating debt. Fourteen percent of disposable income is being used to pay off debt by many families. Debt includes credit cards, student loans, car payments, and mortgages on homes.

This chapter concludes with a discussion of tithing. While the New Testament does not specifically require tithing, most churches teach this principle from the Old Testament. Tithing is a cause of much discussion today. Willmer states "The whole point of Jesus' teachings is that discipleship demands commitment of all of life. … The stakes are higher in the New Testament. It is about complete commitment, offering ourselves as living sacrifices." A tithe is not the limit of our financial obligation to God. We are to commit all we have to furthering the Kingdom of God on earth.

Chapter 5: Lessons From Earlier Christians

This chapter left me hanging a bit. I don't totally understand what the author claims was taught by earlier Christians. He talks about the Keswick movement, John Wesley, Martin Luther, and many other well known Christians from previous centuries. It is obvious today that most Christians do not understand the connection between the possessions and spiritual growth.

Chapter 6: How did We Get Here?

Willmer traces our attitudes about giving through the years. He discusses the stewardship period when the church did most of the charitable work needed in the community. Then we moved to the Philanthropic period Carnegie taught that giving should result in economic growth rather than meeting the needs of people. The 1950s brought us to the self-centered period of giving. More giving dealt with research than relieving the poverty and human suffering of others. The government began providing more of the charitable funds (at least 60% today).

Chapters 7-9

These chapters discuss how to determine who we give to. Some suggestions are presented on how often to give. They also state that churches need to teach stewardship of possessions and actually have a written philosophy of money and possessions. Unfortunately, too many Christians would immediately pull away from churches that actually did this. We want to give whatever percentage of our income we have decided on to the church and then the church is to leave us alone regarding how we spend our remaining income. Suggestions are presented as to how the church can begin teaching stewardship. Families and educational institutions are also responsible for teaching Biblical stewardship. It appears that none of these institutions are doing what is needed today.

Chapter 10: Keeping Your Soul Alive

"When God's people give according to God's plan of stewardship, the needs will be met, and people will be told to give no more. [page 142]. The Israelites learned this fact in Exodus. Wouldn't it be amazing if churches didn't have to worry about paying their mortgages, utility bills, and still having money for Christian education (children through adults), and giving to missions to spread the news of Jesus Christ world wide?

The current rates of giving are appalling: Roman Catholics (1.5 percent of income); Protestants (2.8%), Evangelicals (4.8 percent), the general population (1 percent). True born again Christians are the most likely people to be giving 10% or more of their income to churches and other religious charitable organizations. [some rewording: page 143]

Ten steps to lead Christians back to the basics of Biblical stewardship are presented. This chapter makes me want to begin a pathway that has never been presented by any of the churches I have attended in 39 years of being a Christian.

Recommendation

This book left me feeling: Why wasn't I taught more about stewardship aside from tithing? Where are the preachers willing to challenge and teach their congregations the truth about the connection between our possessions and our spiritual growth?

God & Your Stuff should be mandatory reading by every seminarian and pastor today. It is essential for Christian growth that we learn the connection between our money and our soul's development. Our journey on earth is meant to prepare us for heaven. According to scripture, we will receive rewards and responsibilities in heaven based on our stewardship on earth. Christians need to move from the "just get everyone saved" to "disciple every saved person". It is past time for radical changes in how we are taught in the religious institutions of today.

I challenge every Christian reading this review to purchase the book. I could only present a short summary of the things taught inGod & Your Stuff. It is definitely a book I will be rereading in order to absorb more of its teachings. Won't you join me in the endeavor to begin maturing as a Christian and loosening our tight connection to worldly concerns?

Copyrighted by Diana Pederson, 2005-2009