If you are a regular here, you know that I love reading. So when I saw this book, The Christian Capitalist, I was intrigued. While I am a capitalist, I had never read about, or even really thought about, what being a capitalist and a Christian had to do with each other. The Christian Capitalist is not like any other money self help book you may have read.
About The Christian Capitalist
The Christian Capitalist explores various scriptural references that support twin pillars of Christian belief:
1) working hard to make a productive benefit from talents and materials that God has provided all people
2) giving generously to share those benefits with our neighbors in the name of Jesus Christ.
Through a discussion of Holy Scripture, it analyzes various passages that relate to these concepts of productivity and generosity, along with two thousand years of history discussing the good works of Christians as examples. Ultimately, this book develops a philosophy that is uniquely Christian and capitalist: the Gospel of Hard Work and Generous Giving!
About the Author
Rich Sanders is the founding pastor of Online Home Church in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, which has met weekly online since the pandemic shutdown in March 2020. He earned his Master’s in Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2015. Rich follows a bi-vocational calling, so he serves in ministry and in business. As the retired President of Southern Health Lawyers, he practiced law for nearly thirty years. He has been named annually to The Best Lawyers in America- Healthcare since 2011, and he is a past president of the Georgia Academy of Healthcare Attorneys.
Rich is the founder of the charitable organization St. Michael’s Mission, Inc., which is a ministry organized to assist and serve active duty and veterans of the armed services. He is a retired volunteer chaplain at the Interfaith Airport Chapel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and served as its
President of the Board of Directors from 2017 until 2023.
Watch an Interview with the Author of The Christian Capitalist
Endorsement: “As a small business owner, my husband and I have experienced both
Elizabeth Cranston, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Cana, LLC, Washington, DC.
success and challenges. The Christian Capitalist reminded me that going to church
isn’t the only way to worship God. By working hard and giving to others, I share the
blessings God has given to me and my family with others.”
The Christian Capitalist
The Christian Capitalist features Bible verses to make the point that making money is not evil in itself. God gives us the ability to work. It’s what we do with the money we earn. As Christians, our goal should not be to amass a lot of money. The author explains that we should take care of ourselves, the family we are responsible for, and our future. Then give away a good portion of our money.
There are Bible verses, or explaining the verses, on virtually every page. This was my favorite part. There are no shortage of people telling us what to do with our money. The author emphasizes through Bible verses and stories, that we should do what God wants us to do with the money He lets us earn.
“We cannot serve God and wealth, but we can serve God with our wealth!” – page 98
Go read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. It’s basically the theme of The Christian Capitalist.
On page 152, the author even covers how one should react when we give a gift to someone that does not appreciate it. It’s not referring to a present that we give someone for an occasion, but something that we give to someone as a blessing.
The Content
The Christian Capitalist is divided into 4 parts.
Working and Giving as Children of God
Jesus Teaches a new Way to Think about Working and Giving
Early Christian Life of Work and Giving
The Christian Capitalist
I love that the author also included a lot of Christian history in this book. We learn about the early Christian’s attempt at communal living. Also, there is a chapter entitled “The Reformation and Modern Views on Working and Giving.”
The title of the last chapter in the book sums it all up. The Christian Capitalist Ethic: The More We Make, The More We Give.
Don’t finish reading at the last chapter, though! Take the time to read:
Appendix A: The Christian Capitalist Ethic – where you will see the authors 10 principles of being a Christian Capitalist.
Appendix B: Additional Stories of Christian Work and Giving is not to be missed
Also included are the Bibliography, the Endnotes, and a Biblical Verse Index. With over 5 pages of Bible verses that were used in this book.
Book Review
I loved reading The Christian Capitalist, and learned a lot. Reading about how the early Christians handled work and giving was very interesting. As well as how Christians have changed their views of money over the years. Including what the Reformationists had to say about money and giving.
My favorite part was that the author used a lot of Bible verses to make his case. It’s not just his opinion.
My husband and I are regular givers, but now I am inspired to keep my eyes open for opportunities to give to those around us in our community, our neighbors, not just churches or organizations.
I highly recommend that you read The Christian Capitalist. In fact, I believe that you will benefit from this book no matter where you are in life, or your finances.
Order your copy of The Christian Capitalist today!
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Disclosure: Many thanks to GoodWorks Mission, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this
review. Opinions are 100% my own.
