This book by Larry Burkett is a well-regarded resource in Christian financial circles, blending biblical wisdom with practical financial advice, especially for families and individuals seeking to manage their money in a faith-aligned manner.
Book Details:
- Title: Little Instruction Book on Managing Your Money
- Author: Larry Burkett
- Genre: Personal Finance, Christian Finance
- Publication Date: 1996
- ISBN: 9781562921521
About the Author:
Larry Burkett was an esteemed Christian financial advisor and author, known for his ability to integrate scriptural principles with practical financial guidance. His work is respected for its clear, straightforward approach to financial planning with a Christian perspective.
Summary of Little Instruction Book on Managing Your Money:
Little Instruction Book on Managing Your Money” by Larry Burkett serves as a concise, practical guide to personal financial management through a Christian lens. This book likely offers straightforward, biblically-grounded advice on key aspects of financial stewardship, including budgeting, saving, investing, and debt reduction. Burkett, renowned for his ability to blend financial wisdom with Christian ethics, probably focuses on how to manage finances in a way that honors one’s faith, encouraging financial responsibility and ethical decision-making. Tailored for a Christian audience, the book is expected to provide easily digestible, actionable steps for achieving financial stability while adhering to Christian values, making it a valuable resource for individuals and families seeking to align their financial practices with their spiritual beliefs.
Selected Passages Randy Highlighted in the Book:
- The attraction of materialism is so great that Christ devoted two-thirds of His parables to warning His disciples about it. (8)
- There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth. –Proverbs 13:7
- If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! –Matthew 7:11
- Some Christians have received a gift of giving. To them the multiplication of material worth is an extension of their basic ministry within the Body of Christ. (13)
- We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously. –Romans 12:6,8 NIV
- Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. –I Timothy 6:17
- A Christian must transfer ownership of every possession to God. That means money, time, family, material possessions, education – even earning potential for the future. (19)
- If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? (Luke 16:11)
- Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. –Proverbs 22:29
- Diligent prayer about specific decisions is no substitute for a basic working knowledge of God’s financial priorities. If we know the kinds of things God considers relatively unimportant, many financial decisions will be fairly obvious. (25)
- Maintain the principle of remaining debt-free. Make every decision on the basis of whether it may result in bondage. (26)
- Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another. –Romans 13:8
- Getting out of debt is not only scriptural, with many benefits in its own right, but doing so allows Christians to contribute to the needs of the saints and to evangelize the world. (27)
- As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. –I Peter 4:10
- The most important principle of all is to allow God to direct your giving. (28)
- Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. –Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
- He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich. –Proverbs 21:17
- God’s word promises that slothfulness will result in loss, but diligence results in gain. (39)
- For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, “You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.” –Deuteronomy 15:11
- A Christian in debt must stop any expenditure that is not absolutely essential. (47)
- He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich. –Proverbs 21:17 NIV
- The Scriptures give evidence that prosperity is one of God’s blessings to those who love and obey Him. (49)
- To endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries. (Proverbs 8:21)
- The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. –Proverbs 21:5
- The naïve believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps. –Proverbs 14:15
- A prudent wife is from the Lord. –Proverbs 19:14
- A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. –Proverbs 20:4 NIV
- Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. –2 Corinthians 9:7
- When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do…that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. –Matthew 6:2
- But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? –I John 3:17
- I’ve found that a key to my sense of peace and my ability to make clear and wise choices is consciously to hand over ownership of my resources to God. (89)
- Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. –Matthew 20:26, 27
- Establish a habit of giving. Above the tithe God wants Christians to be involved with the needs of others.
- Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me. –Matthew 25:40
- Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. –Philippians 2:3,4
- Share with those in need in your time of plenty, that in your time of need they will be willing to share from their plenty. (123)
- Material blessings were given because God loved His people, not because they deserved them. They were withdrawn from those who used them foolishly and transferred to a more faithful steward. (132)
- You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3
- It is better to be wrong and give too much than to ignore God’s direction and give too little. The spirit is never dampened by being too sensitive, only by developing callousness. (135)
- God never intended for everyone to give the same amount or in the same way, but each should give bountifully and cheerfully. (136)
- He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. –II Corinthians 9:6-7
- Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. –Matthew 6:34
- Perhaps the best retirement plan of all is to learn a service skill that others need. (140)
- Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. –Proverbs 16:3 NIV
- “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,” then your poverty will come as a robber, and your want like an armed man. –Proverbs 24:33,34
- See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. –Malachi 3:10 NIV
- If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. –Psalms 37:23,24 NIV
- It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. –Psalm 127:2
- For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. –II Chronicles 16:9
Who Would Benefit From This Book?
Ideal for church-going individuals and families, particularly those within the 25-45 age range, looking for Christian-aligned financial advice. This book is a great fit for readers who appreciate authenticity and real-world applications over theoretical or overly polished financial guidance.
Related Books:
- “Dollars and Sense” by Larry Burkett.
- “Managing God’s Money: A Biblical Guide” by Randy Alcorn,
- “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey
Readers who enjoyed “Little Instruction Book on Managing Your Money” might also find value in Bob & Linda’s book: Simple Money, Rich Life. Find the connections between financial principles and modern financial strategies to enrich your own financial life!
