Book Review

Beyond Greed
Brian Rosner
(2004) Matthias Media, Sydney

Review by J. van Wageningen
 

Materialism and its close relation consumerism are so much part and parcel of modern western society that it is not surprising that the concept of greed has become irrelevant for most people. Previous generations certainly saw greed as one of the ‘seven deadly sins.’ However, we often fail to recognize it in ourselves as a significant spiritual issue and a sin.

Rosner, who teaches New Testament and ethics at Moore Theological College in Sydney, does not intend his book to be a close analysis of biblical teaching on material possessions. Nor does he offer nitty gritty advice on dealing with money. Instead, he walks us through the biblical perspectives on greed, contentment, and real wealth in a book aimed at raising the awareness of the ‘ordinary Christian.’

The book is divided into six sections - Unmasking greed, Idolatry, Learning contentment, Sharing possessions, A Christian lifestyle and True riches. Some of the chapters written by other people have been previously published in The Briefing.

The chapter on ‘health and wealth’ Christianity makes a very clear case against this widespread and distorted misunderstanding of the gospel. Ignoring the Bible’s warnings on the dangers of greed, it attempts to blend the beliefs and practices of materialism and consumerism with Christianity. Yet when Jesus talks about being ‘rich towards God’ he is of course referring to spiritual riches. And prosperity teaching also overlooks the fact that suffering can be of benefit to believers, and completely ignores the fact that most Christians in developing countries cannot count health and wealth among their blessings.

Greed is a form of idolatry and ultimately slavery to the false god of materialism. Rosner points out that in western society in general the economy has risen to a kind of sacred status, and he makes some rather startling comparisons.

‘Like God, the economy is capable of supplying peoples’ needs without limit… It is credited with prolonging life, giving health and enriching our lives. Money, in which we put our faith, and advertising, which we adore, are among its rituals….’

Rosner does not, of course, discount worldly possessions, for ‘God recommends not world denial, but a recognition along with the God-givenness of material things, of their inherent limitation and transience.’ He goes on to say that ‘we have to distinguish between the legitimate enjoyment of material things, which the Bible takes for granted and nowhere disputes, and an illegitimate and unhealthy attachment to wealth as an end in itself.’

The section on contentment reminds us of three good reasons to be content. God himself is content; God promises his people a secure future; and we can trust in God’s goodness. When we are content we avoid temptations and are freed to develop spiritual gifts such as wisdom, patience and humility. Rosner rightly points out that being content does not rule out ambition and the need to be resourceful and hardworking. Contentment means living within our God-given circumstances; realising that affluence is unreliable; sharing with those in real need; and never having the accumulation of wealth as our basic aim in life.

Beyond greed will prompt us to examine our own attitudes and practices to reach a new understanding. This book is both a challenge and a comfort. It makes us aware of how we are all influenced by consumerism and reminds us of where our true riches are, and where our heart must be focussed. It provides no easy answers, but does make some suggestions on how we can re-align our thinking, eg ‘The only hope in the fight against greed is not to fight those insatiable urges for more, but to redirect them. This is what the Bible recommends. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get really rich as long as ‘riches’ are properly defined.’

 

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