One day while walking in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina, my wife and I passed the public library. Our attention was quickly captured by the pillars of the building, on which were written various quotes regarding the subjects of writing and reading. One quote stood out among them all. It read, “Why do writers write? Because it isn’t there.” I don’t remember its author; however, this quote immediately became guidance for my writing life and this book. I embraced this quote as my calling and decided to begin writing thoughts that I hadn’t yet seen in book form, but believed needed to be there.
Around this same period, I was going through some financial difficulties. Simply put, I was looking for a job, and because one didn’t come right away, the stack of unpaid bills grew high. I have always enjoyed reading, and during this time I began looking for a book on the topic of a Biblical view of finances, but I couldn’t find one—that is, I didn’t find the one I wanted to read. All the books I found talked about money management and stewardship, and while those are notable and Godly subjects, I didn’t need yet another person explaining to me those concepts. I wanted to read a book that discussed the deepest financial problem I was facing: A struggle to trust in God’s providing love when it seemed like such love wasn’t providing me with anything. Since I couldn’t find such a book, I decided that it needed to be written.
But my thought did not stop there. When sharing my ideas for the book with others, a general consensus started to gather. It seemed there were others who wanted to read such a book, with even more subjects included. A few openly shared that “fear of loss” inspired a great deal of their financial decisions, and that such a topic is a much needed thought for those who have money to manage. Other subjects included embracing God’s call to take risks, understanding God’s mysteriousness, finding God in the 9 to 5 monotony, the relationship between prayer and money, some thoughts on the grace of God, a discussion regarding how much of our financial planning is actually God’s will, and how envy and competitive jealousy play a defining role in our financial lives. After hearing these thoughts and desires, and thinking about the quote I came upon in Charlotte, I knew this book must be written.
Personal finance is something that is personally significant to each of us. But, more significant is our relationship with God. I hope this book helps you bridge the gap between the two. I also hope the subjects within it inspire a much needed discussion between all of us in the Body of Christ on how we can help one another continuously bridge the gap in our everyday lives.
Sean K. Mitchell
P.S.: By the way (as some readers have already asked), the letters exchanged in various parts of the book are inspired by actual events. (You will have to read the book to understand to what I am referring.)
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