Money and Faith

by Schut, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780819223272
• ISBN10: 0819223271
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-02-28
• Publisher: Morehouse Pub Co

Summary

Talking about money in a personal way remains more of a taboo than sex or politics. This seems odd within a Christian context since Jesus addressed topics of money, poverty and wealth more than probably any other concern. For many, money becomes an idol; it certainly has for our culture as we pursue "economic growth" no matter the cost to the overall well-being of God's entire creation. Where money is an idol, "enough" is always more than we have right now, and scarcity becomes the lens through which we see the world. On a personal level this book opens up issues of scarcity and abundance, idolatry and freedom; on a societal level it invites exploration of greater equity and sustainability. On both levels it empowers individuals and groups to practically apply their faith's values. The book seeks to balance a pastoral and prophetic stance while being a practical guide as well. In the ways we relate to and feel about money, we need to experience the nurturing companion-ship of a wise, compassionate pastor or spiritual guide. In some of our society's more powerful assumptions, such as "more is better," "time is money" and "economic growth is an unquestioned societal good," we need to experience the power, strength, anger and call to repentance of an Old Testament prophet. And in the face of great need, inequities, and ecological degradation, we need practical guidance for actions, decisions, and policies that will lead us toward a world where there is enough for all.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 9
Introduction
Welcome	p. 12
Overview	p. 14
Enough for All	p. 15
The Personal: Money's Place in Our Lives
Abundance and Scarcity-How Do You See?
Ministry of Money: Writing Your Money Autobiography	p. 22
The Liturgy of Abundance, the Myth of Scarcity, Walter Brueggemann	p. 25
Scarcity: The Great Lie, Lynne Twist	p. 31
Demystifying Money-What Is the Stuff Anyway?
How Money Works, Dave Barry	p. 41
What is Money?, David Boyle	p. 45
Origins of Money, David Boyle	p. 47
Some Food We Could Not Eat, Lewis Hyde	p. 48
What Is Compassion's Call?
Compassion, Henri Nouwen	p. 59
The Call of the Rich Young Man, Ched Myers	p. 61
The Prophetic: Money, Sustainability and the Jubilee
Is More (Money/Growth) Better?
The Eight-Hundred Pound Gorilla, Michael Schut	p. 74
Prelude to After Growth, Michael Schut	p. 82
After Growth, Bill McKibben	p. 84
The Ecological and Economic Model and Worldview, Sallie McFague	p. 96
Corporations Are People Too?
Corporate Personhood, Michael Schut	p. 104
Command and Control, William Greider	p. 105
Breadbasket of Democracy, Ted Nace	p. 117
Liberation-Whose Voices Are Rarely Heard?
Globalization: A Choice between Death and Death, Jean-Bertrand Aristide	p. 130
Liberation Theology and Ecology, Leonardo Boff	p. 134
What Is the Jubilee?
Jubilee Justice, Maria Harris	p. 140
On Being a Jubilee Church, Rich Lang	p. 149
The Purposeful: How Shall We Then Live?
Practicing Abundance-Sabbath and Tithing
It is Good, Wayne Muller	p. 154
The Gift Must Always Move, Ched Myers	p. 158
The Ultimate Question: Where Is My Security?, K. Killian Noe	p. 164
Moving toward Jubilee-Investments and Retirement
Investing, the Poor and Social Change, Andy Loving	p. 173
Making Trade Fair for Africa, Sarah Tarver-Wahlquist	p. 180
When Women Decide to Be Unstoppable, Susan Wilkes and Jim Klobuchar	p. 186
Retirement, Money and the Reign of God, Andy Loving	p. 195
Moving toward Jubilee on a Grand Scale
Re-Inventing the Commons, Peter Barnes	p. 199
Tools for Restructuring the Economy, Lester Brown	p. 209
Epilogue
Radical Acceptance, Michael Schut	p. 218
And All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands, Michael Schut	p. 222
Study Guide
How to Use This Material	p. 227
Course Overview	p. 230
If You Have Six-, Eight- or Ten-Weeks	p. 231
Meeting
Enough for All	p. 234
The Central Problem of Our Lives	p. 239
Money Off Its Pedestal	p. 243
The Sacramental Use of Money	p. 248
Happiness, Externalities and Economic Growth	p. 252
Wheat Farmers and Corporate Power	p. 257
Economic Globalization-Views from the South	p. 261
Jubilee Justice	p. 265
Sabbath and Tithing-There Is Enough	p. 269
Investments, Retirement and Jubilee	p. 274
Jubilee on a Grand Scale	p. 278
With Hands and Hearts Wide Open	p. 281
About Earth Ministry	p. 285
Resources: Read, Study and Act	p. 286
Bibliography	p. 289
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