Andy Stanley is an amazing teacher. He speaks in a way that everyone can understand. He speaks straight and gives examples that help you understand the ideas easier. He's also funny. I laughed plenty during the study. Which reinforces my theory that you learn more when you enjoy it.BookLook gave me the opportunity to review this study and I was excited to take the opportunity. I had the chance to read Andy Stanley's Visioneering and loved it entirely. I was glad to see that he did not disappoint on this one.
The study comes with a short book of 7 chapters: Celebration Is In Order, Learning Curve, Consumption Assumption, Planning Ahead, Greater Gain, Ownership Myth, and It Can Happen Again. Also a DVD of 4 sessions: Congratulations, Side Effects, Dollar Cost Living, and Diversify. Each session runs with a 15-20 minute video, about 7 questions, a memory verse, and some notes for moving forward. Then you read two chapters for the week.
1 Timothy 6:17-18 "command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
Just think of what kind of world we would be living in if we all lived by these words.
Andy Stanley goes over the fact that we are all rich. If you make $48,000 a year, you are in the top 1% of all income earners in the world. He also covered how the feeling of rich is all in perspective. True richness comes from having margin. Margin is having more than what you need to survive. Now this doesn't give you a goal or an answer to how much is enough.
Andy Stanley warns about your hope moving from God to money because you see it as yours to keep. He also warns that if you do not set a percentage of giving and stick with it, when you get more, it will be harder to give more. He also discusses how the accumulation of stuff is like feeding an appetite.
He shared some amazing stories to help make his point on the verses. One of my favorites was the idea of how rich we are in America. We as Americans will take a completely good car to a dealership, leave it there, along with some of your money, and drive away with the same car just with upgrades.
Those who have extra, have extra responsibility. That includes your time and gifts as well as your money. Don't let it all be wasted on you.
I recommend that everyone read this and try to incorporate the ideas in your own life.
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