Product Description

Ever wondered how to pay the next bill? Felt the world is unfair in economic rewards? Been indecisive about investing wisely? These types of fiscal questions are addressed from a Christian viewpoint in Economic Parables. Using his vast experience in the financial world as well as church ministry, the author invites you to listen directly to the words of Jesus and reflect on a number of economic parables to understand life in an increasingly globalized economy. Some of the answers you find will be surprising, in part because Jesus was a more sophisticated economist than he is given credit for. His words will shed light on many modern economic problems and decisions we may not think to go to the Bible about. By taking this journey through the economic parables, your response to finances and the global marketplace will be enriched from a balanced biblical approach. Each chapter contains a parable and reflection, followed by a question making this book ideal for group or personal Bible study.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #443851 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 217 pages

About the Author
David Cowan is a pastor, speaker, writer and theologian. He previously worked as a journalist, editor and bank executive in Europe and North America for over twenty years, including the Financial Times, Euro money and the World Bank Group in Washington, DC. He has written for the Washington Times, Financial Times, The Times of London, The Middle East. He lives in Cluny, France, with his wife and two children.

Customer Reviews

Deconstructing Secular Economic Guilt
One of the very few Lutherans who hail from Great Britain (he now lives in Cluny, France), Cowan dismissed as a "21st century indulgence" the habit of secular economic guilt. One example is the tendency for Hollywood stars to act as great humanitarians, wanting to be seen as caring for those at the bottom of the economic heap. They thus join many academic theologians in condemning the market economy as unjust.

Noting a critique developed by Zygmunt Bauman and Erich Fromm, Cowan described how consumerism is seen to create homo economicus (the human as consumer). In Fromm's view, modern consumers are alienated from ourselves, having falsely chosen to market ourselves as commodities. Cowan says that these and other critics of consumer economies make a false leap from the limitations and problems of consumer access to criticism of market economies, conflating an economic with a spiritual problem.

For Cowan, consumerism's excesses need not lead to a rejection of consumer economies, for, in fact, there are no successful alternatives to market economies. He joins economist William Easterly in his critique of the development industry which is so often hostile to market economics (see Easterly's 2006 book The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good). Cowan, who has worked for the World Bank, commented that first-class plane travel seemed de rigueur among World Bank employees claiming to help the poor.

Jesus, said Cowan, is more interested in the economy as a mirror of who we are. His concern is not with competition, but with the envy that it generates. "The market economy doesn't create greed; it reflects our greed," said Cowan.

Knowing that many sincere Christians are prone to the kind of economic guilt that seems to afflict celebrities, Cowan was careful to say that Jesus does not propose a radical economic alternative, nor the perfection of human society. Reflecting his deeply-held Lutheran ideals, Cowan asserted that the Gospel absolutely requires that we exercise confidence in what God has achieved on our behalf, and not our efforts to achieve something for Him and humanity. In the end, said Cowan, the capitalist economy, whether we like it or not, allows people of all faiths or no faith to trade, and that benefits everyone economically.

Wonderful Christian Teaching on Finance
I was blown away by the simplicity of "Economic Parables." The author actually uses parables told by Jesus about money to teach the reader fiscal responsibility. Each chapter ends with several other scripture references to study the subject further. The book also contains thoughtful questions to ponder or your own or discuss with your study group. Each chapter asks a question about life today that is actually addressed in the New Testament.

This book offers thoughtful perspective on how to be good stewards of the monetary resources God gives us. This is a valuable and insightful read that is particularly appealing in this time of uncertain economy.

A new spin on the esteemed prophet and his teachings
No one has ever viewed Jesus Christ as a financial advisor- until now. "Economics Parables: The Monetary Teachings of Jesus Christ" tells of the carpenter's sage and wise advice when it came to the world of economics and how even today his wisdom can help people get their money in order. A new spin on the esteemed prophet and his teachings, "Economic Parables" is a solid read for the money-interested Christian.