The Shrewd Christian

by ATKINSON, NEIL

• ISBN13: 9781578567966
• ISBN10: 1578567963
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2004-02-17
• Publisher: WaterBrook

Summary

If financial freedom seems like an unattainable dreamwake up! Let Neil Atkinson open your eyes to the truth about wealth in this biblically based, practical, readable, funny, and encouraging guide. If you want to get a grip on your finances, you've got to let go of your misconceptions about what it means to beshrewd.The Shrewd Christianwill enable you toconquermoney, not merelysolvemoney problems. When you change your thinking, you'll see your lifestyle change. And when your lifestyle changes, you'll experience true wealth. Neil Atkinson started out where you are. And now he's ready to you how to achieve authentic, biblical financial freedom for the rest of your life.

Author Biography

<b>Neil Atkinson</b> is not a financial expert, but he has learned what it means to become and remain truly wealthy. A graduate of Hope College and Fuller Seminary, Neil worked with Young Life for thirty-two years in a variety of leadership positions. There he discovered how to thrive, not just survive, on a meager ministry salary. In 1996, Neil founded Next! Leadership Development, helping people actively pursue God’s calling on their lives.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Do Not Skip This Part!	1	(10)
Part One: A Middle-Class Revolution (You didn't skip the introduction, did you?)
The Reason for Shrewd	10	(17)
What does it mean to be shrewd?
Are you Financially Alert or Financially Comatose?
Here we will look at how money and Jesus compete and why Jesus tells us to be sheep among wolves
I will also tell you about the financial wastelands my family went through, and why Shrewd Christians do not ignore money
The Parable of the Dishonest CFO	27	(9)
In a retold parable, we will see that Jesus did not commend dishonesty, but he did commend shrewdness
The purpose of money is to build relationships; to realize this purpose, we have to know who our master is
Toughing It Out	36	(17)
What are the counterfeits of shrewd, and why will they keep you from becoming wealthy?
How are the Gang of Three brainwashing you?
Here we'll look at why you need to be your own financial consultant, and what Table Manners you need to get there
The Road to Contentment	53	(14)
Learn the key question to ask yourself on the way to True Riches
Look at the difference between wealth and a lifestyle of wealth, and discover why you can live like most millionaires
True Riches	67	(15)
What does it mean to be truly rich?
Learn why money is not the source of problems in marriage, and how you can be on the same page with your spouse
Part Two: Making It Work
Playing to Win	82	(12)
What is the game plan?
Learn why KISMIF is your way to wealth as you Save on Everything and Get Value for Everything
Paying Attention or Pain and Tension?	94	(12)
The Magic 80 will make your financial life a whole lot easier
Find freedom in doing away with the b word as you make your way toward wealth through tracking your expenditures and making a Victory List
Living Generously	106	(9)
What does God have to say about our money?
Here we'll look at how, why, and how much to give as we uncover the secret to finding True Riches
Dealing with Debt	115	(14)
What is the difference between Devastating, Decent, and Delightful Debt?
Learn the phenomenon of compound interest, why credit-card debt is not all your fault, and how you can take charge of the single biggest spending category in your life
Becoming a Residential CEO	129	(15)
What does it mean to be a Residential CEO?
Discover how to make the most of the money-saving device in your kitchen, how every division in your household corporation can lead toward wealth, and why paying attention leads to more fun
Strategizing Your Employment	144	(10)
How much are you really making?
You'll be surprised to learn why having a second income may mean you are working for nothing!
Strategizing your employment can move you further toward True Riches and financial wealth
Steak for the Price of Hamburger	154	(12)
Paying attention to your food shopping and consuming will save you a significant amount of money---and it can be fun!
Here we'll look at wise grocery shopping, the deception of buying in bulk, and how to become a frugal chef
Buying a House	166	(11)
What is the secret to middle-class wealth?
You'll need strategies for buying, selling, and being shrewd in real estate to reach financial wealth and make your house a home
Your Transportation Can Make You Wealthy	177	(13)
Never use the word investment in the same sentence with the word automobile, and you'll be well on your way to wealth
Read tips on buying a car, selling a car, and finding the difference between transportation and image
Stuff Happens	190	(7)
What is the purpose of insurance?
Insurance is not an investment, but we need it anyway
Choose the right kind of insurance for your family---and remember the words of Officer Bigelow
Caution: Investing Can Be Dangerous to Your Wealth!	197	(14)
Question: What is the difference between investing in the stock market and gambling?
Answer: You can talk about the stock market at fellowship hour after church
Learn the little-known secret that is more likely to make you wealthy than stocks
Help the IRS Build Your Wealth	211	(13)
Normal people can do taxes; it is expensive to be naive
So pay only what you need to pay, and discover why a tax refund isn't as great as you think
100 Days to Shrewd	224	(8)
What are the Draconian Adventure and the Spartan Lifestyle?
Learn how you can become shrewd and have more fun!
Conclusion	232	(3)
Appendix A: Ideas for Frugal Fun	235	(4)
Appendix B: For Emergencies and Disasters Only	239	(5)
Notes	244