Redeeming Money: How God Reveals and Reorients Our Hearts

I appreciate the wisdom from Paul David Tripp when it comes to family, parenting, and marriage. In everything I have read of his, he is constantly pointing his readers back to Christ. I greatly appreciate that.Redeeming Money is no exception. Most Christians know that what is in your heart flows out in your actions. How you handle your money is no exception. Tripp reminds his readers where our money comes from....which is God. He challenges His readers to have a "Gospel Worldview." It reminds readers to look at money as a gift from God and it's not ours to keep, but to manage.When I think of this book, I think of it as focusing more on the heart-issues that surround money. It's not a how-to book, but it's one that helps you ask hard questions in your own life. Has money become an idol? What do I think of money?Often we think about money and how-to books. That's great. Except without the heart, it's only behavior modification. We have to change the way we think and our hearts before our behavior changes. I appreciate that Tripp doesn't miss the biggest issue when it comes to money...our hearts. But be honest with yourself as you're reading and asking yourself these hard questions!___________I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

Though I have both written and taught on the topics of stewardship, giving, generosity for over twenty years, I discovered fresh ideas and perspectives that I had not realized and thought about before reading this book. I highly recommend it.

This is the first of Tripp’s books I’ve read. I benefitted from reading it primarily because he gets to the heart of what he calls “money insanity,” which is misplaced worship. He writes readably and develops a convincing case helpfully.I do take issue with at least three theological assertions. Although I don’t think they take anything away from the sound principles set forth in chapters 1-9, and applied in 10, I point them out for your consideration as a reader.First, in chapter 2, Tripp stresses the importance of the believer’s identity. He uses the word “identity” some 39 times. I do not fault him for this emphasis. Remembering who we are in Christ is crucial to honoring Him with our money. But, while we are creatures that were sinners, our identity as new creatures in Christ is that of saints, not sinners (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). As long as we live in unredeemed bodies, we do contend with a sinful tendency referred to as “the flesh.” We commit acts of sin. But doing so is not an expression of our nature, which is new. Rather, the sins believers commit are unnecessary lapses into behavior consistent with the “old self” we are no longer (Romans 6:5-7). This may be what Tripp means by saying we are “sinners.” But his argument for the redemption of our money would be stronger, as well as more consistent with Scripture, if it were made on the basis that we have but one new nature. We are saints who can and should behave as such.A second objection concerns Tripp’s concept of God’s Kingdom on page 98. He writes, “What is this kingdom? It is God’s gracious plan of redemption for us and the world we live in.” This statement confuses God’s program to redeem lost sinners with His program to reclaim His rule on earth through Christ, the second Adam. Jesus taught His disciples to pray that God’s kingdom (universal and eternal) would come on earth as it is in heaven. This will occur, but not until Jesus—rejected at His first coming—comes again.A third critical observation is that Tripp repeats his confident assertion that God deals with us only with mercy, grace, patience, etc. Here is one example:“Your Savior will never mock your foolishness. He’ll never tell you that you’re getting just what you deserve. He won’t tire of your mistakes or get irritated because you’re stubborn. He won’t tell you that working with you is wasting his time. He won’t ever quit, turn his back, and walk away.”While this may be true, the next sentence appears to be misleading: “He lavishes his grace on those who are lost, on rebels, liars, and cheaters. He pours mercy on the proud and the selfish.”James 4:6 says, “…’GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.’”Hebrews 12:6 says, “FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” That God holds his servants to account for their stewardship of what He has entrusted to them, is the very point of the Lord’s Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. He will test the works of believers by fire with the result that some will suffer loss of eternal rewards, according to 1 Corinthian 3:11-15.My overall evaluation is that this good and helpful book would have been even better if it urged those no longer sinners by nature to work out their own salvation with respect to money in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13).

This book TRULY helped me understand the purpose of money and how to use it. This has been something I have struggled to understand my ENTIRE life. This book has helped me soooo much and helped my heart desire to give more. Thank you God for using Paul Tripp to get to my heart !! I highly highly recommend this book to everyone

Best book I’ve ever read about changing money habits.... all starts with a heart transformation and surrender to the only One who can help.

The best part of this book is when it turns from some great practical wisdom around money management to the big picture - being a part of the joy and generosity of the kingdom of God now, not merely the small kingdom of one’s self.

Paul is a great writer and examines what goes on in our hearts as central to what controls/guides our actions - particularly with money! Well presented! Plan to read/study and recommend this to my wife and grown children.

Another great book by Paul Tripp. I think everyone should read this.