Sex and Money: Pleasures That Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies
by
Paul David Tripp
4.04 · Rating details · 437 ratings · 68 reviews
Pleasure. We live in a world obsessed with finding it, passionate about enjoying it, and desperate about maintaining it. Chief among such objects of affection are sex and money—two pleasures unequaled in their power to captivate our attention and demand our worship.
In what is sure to become an instant classic, popular author Paul David Tripp pulls back the curtain on the lies of our flesh and the ways we distort God’s good gifts, examining the insanity of our culture and exposing our tendency to fall prey to the hollow promises of this world.
In exploring how God’s grace frees us from futile pursuits, Tripp directs readers to the wisdom of God in Scripture and the liberating power of the gospel, offering practical guidance on finding true joy and enduring satisfaction.
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About the Author
Paul David Tripp (DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a pastor,
author, and international conference speaker. He is also the president of Paul Tripp Ministries. He has written a number of popular books on Christian living, including What Did You Expect?, Dangerous Calling, Parenting, and New Morning Mercies. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife Luella and they have four grown children. For more information and resources, visit paultrippministries.org.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“I’ve come to count on Paul Tripp’s books being biblical, Christ-centered, deep, engaging, and well-written. Sex and Money is no exception. Its insights into our cultural idolatries and God’s transforming grace are priceless.”
—Randy Alcorn, Founder and Director, Eternal Perspective Ministries; author, Heaven, The Treasure Principle, and The Ishbane Conspiracy
“Sex and money. Are there any other subjects that occupy our thoughts more than these? Are there any other subjects that enslave our lives more than these? Paul Tripp provides insight into how we have turned these blessings from God into bondage and how a Godward perspective is the only way that they can be put back into their proper place in service to him. All who have struggled with these issues, which includes most everyone, will find practical, biblically grounded help in these pages.”
—Timothy Z. Witmer, professor of practical theology, Westminster Theological Seminary; pastor, St. Stephen Reformed Church, New Holland, Pennsylvania; author, The Shepherd Leader and The Shepherd Leader at Home
“Paul Tripp reaches out to those weighed down by the sexual insanity and rampant materialism of our day. With careful biblical teaching, grace, and gospel at the heart of his argument, Tripp explains that it is only when we recognize God as the unchallenged master of our hearts that everything else will be in its rightful place. As he writes, ‘The gospel is the only reliable diagnostic when it comes to sex and money, and because it provides the only reliable diagnostic, the gospel also races us with the only truly effective cure.’ This is a humble, hopeful, relevant book—a wonderful reminder that Jesus’s way truly is easy and his burden light. I highly recommend it.”
—Chris Brauns, Pastor, The Red Brick Church, Stillman Valley, Illinois; author, Unpacking Forgiveness, Bound Together, and When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search
“Fresh. Honest. Real. Paul Tripp tackles the familiar snares of sex and money with fresh perspective, honest answers from God’s Word, and a real sense of our need for God’s grace. I commend this new resource to you from my friend and ministry partner.”
—James MacDonald, Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel, Rolling Meadows, Illinois; author, Vertical Church
I always benefit from Paul Tripp's relentless focus on how the posture and beliefs of our heart are the seat of our behavior. In Sex & Money, he has taken two of the greatest idols and unmasked them against the glorious gospel. If you really want to unseat the insanity and power of lust and materialism in your life, this book will take you to the one true solution—Jesus himself.
—Jay S. Thomas, Lead Pastor, Chapel Hill Bible Church, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top reviews from the United States
Bradley L Kautz
5.0 out of 5 stars Sex and Money
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
Paul David Tripp is a man with a passion to bring the bright light of Christ to all of life's dark places. I have read several of his earlier books and he is a pastor, teacher and counselor who cares deeply for the people of God. And in those roles he does not hesitate in showing that the Good News is precisely that. Or said differently, time and again he shows that the only true hope for any human suffering is to be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Good News is not merely that, i.e. good news, but it is really, and only, the greatest news. Sex and Money: Pleasures that Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies is a masterwork in dealing with what he sees as two of the most tenuous issues that daily confront and ensnare the Christian in the 21st century.
Tripp opens with a discussion of the reason people were created from a biblical perspective, which in a nutshell is to glorify God. He believes that because of this we are hard-wired for glory, which for many of us is misdirected towards the pursuit of other gods, most often sex and money. He then provides an overview of these two primary subjects; ones that he believes are driving our culture insane. He takes each of these issues in turn and walks through them with an open Bible, time and again showing how God's grace can touch wayward hearts and bring wholeness to places that often appear to be hopeless.
As he reaches his conclusion Tripp points out that there is purpose in living as broken people in a broken world. He writes, "God has chosen to keep you in this broken world in order to use its brokenness to prepare you for what is to come. The brokenness you live in the middle of, and the difficulties you face there, are not in the way of God's good plan for you; they are an important ingredient in it. Right now, God is not so much working to change your surroundings but to change you so that you are ready for the new surroundings he has planned and purchased for you in his grace." (189-90)
Sex and money are two things created by God in His goodness but which often end up infiltrating and consuming our hearts. Tripp has written an excellent book to help Christians put them back into their God-honoring place as they journey through this world to the next, the place where nothing will get in the way of all Christians giving God the glory that only He deserves.
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Teekay Elle
5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing, Eye opening. Must read
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2015
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I can't even put into words how awesome this book is. Even if you don't think you have sex and money struggles ( after reading this you may realize you really do) this is an eye opening book on how these two issues shape our worship of God and how much the church buys into the insanity of the culture around us. I read the other reviews that had issues with his repetitions but I guess because I was prepared for it, it didn't bother me. I really felt the author did it to stress his points, not to be a nuisance or forgetting he already said it. Read this book once and then read it again truly asking yourself the many questions it poses. It's going to lead to some life changing revelations on sex and money and your worship of God.
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R. Jankowski
5.0 out of 5 stars Sex and Money as a religion of worship
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2013
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As of 9/18/13, there are 20 reviews for this book all giving 4 and 5 stars. I really like the work of Paul Tripp, and with that sort of feedback, I thought it a safe bet that this book would be consistently beneficial as I have found other books of Tripp's. Having now completed the book I can empathize with the appreciation found in the other reviews.
Tripp devotes the first half of the book to sex and the latter to money. Both are seen as acts of worship. I found the message of the book in many ways consistent to Randy Alcorn's book, "Money, Possessions, and Eternity", which is also a highly recommended book to read.
The premise that Sex and Money are acts of worship is not necessarily profound, but the manner in which this material is presented was found not only indicting, but Tripp has a way of encouragement that inspires a redeemed one to redirect one's life to use Sex and Money as means to worship the one true God, rather than use them as a form of idolatry.
I really think you will find this book encouraging.
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K. Falzter
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2016
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This book should be required reading for every Christian in our sex and money insane world. Our world is crumbling from our actions and lifestyles. Death by distraction of false delight.
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David Gilleran
5.0 out of 5 stars Why Sex and Money Are Gifts and Not Idols To Be Worshiped
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2016
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This is a book I wish was written when I was a teenager. It is is full of sound, Biblical advice about two major themes found in our society today. Many people make idols out of sex and money. Dr. Tripp's book helps us to understand that these gifts from God are that, gifts. They need to be enjoyed and not worshiped. If you have children or grandchildren who are teenagers or above, get them this book.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2014
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I began reading this book to help me as I desire to biblically rear my teenagers. What I have walked away with is more than I could have imagined. The Lord showed me so much throughout this book about life on this fallen planet and has pricked my heart personally. It has helped me help my teenagers, but done even more in my walk to become more like Christ. It is convicting and hopeful all at the same time! I have recommended this book to many already. Excellent!
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flo wolfe
5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced prespective
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2013
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Without histrionic language, Tripp approaches the craziness (his term) of the current culture's perspectives on the satisfaction promised, but not delivered, bu sex and money. Biblical but not preachy, Tripp tackles a topic not many Christian authors will address in today's world. The language is clear but not inflammatory.Kudos for a solid presentation!
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Jason C. Dukes
5.0 out of 5 stars We all need help or at least need help giving help in these areas.
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2013
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So grateful for Paul Tripp bringing a gracious, loving, hopeful, challenging perspective on the two most defining issues of our culture. The church is ignoring these issues pushing moralism rather than gospel-transformation. Tripp encourages us not to ignore how imperative our need for grace and for community are in growing to respond to these issues with Jesus rather than modified behavior. We need this book. I need this book. Thank you for writing it.
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Steve
5.0 out of 5 stars A book which ministers.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2014
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Paul's thirst and hunger for God and His grace being our only hope is so refreshing. Yes there are ways through which we enjoy life like friendships, function etc but the grace that is the life of Jesus is truly our only hope. I love how Paul deals with route issues and not symptoms. In a complex world of questions and a climate of no real way of being able to know what's good and what's not Paul prophetically gives a voice which can't not equip a heart to encounter and go deeper in the life of Jesus Christ. Thanks Paul.
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G Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2017
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Great read!
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Herb Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars personally enriching
Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2013
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You need to read this book...it is a balm for the soul! Thank you , Paul Tripp for the words of wisdom!
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Really helpful gospel-focus on the subject.
I'm a big fan of Paul Tripp, I really am. I also know this book can be life-changing for people. What I didn't think worked very well was tackling two topics in one book (perhaps that's why Crossway is releasing two Tripp books this year: one on money, one on sex). It didn't seem natural for me even though there are similar root problems. I also feel the book could have been 30% shorter--it got very repetitive during the second half. Don't let my critiques discourage you from reading this (or better yet, one of Tripp's newer ones). Tripp knows the complexities of our sinful hearts how the gospel applies. It's beautiful. (less)
Jun 28, 2017Bob Morton rated it it was ok · review of another edition
I really did want to like this book. I wanted so bad to like this book. But it just was not there for me. For the record, for the average Christian who does not think that they need this book, this could be an eye opener to their lifestyle that they are not aware of. That is, if they could get past the title that they would skip over because they do not think that it would apply to them.
So what was my problem with this? In an unofficial capacity I have a ministry to men with addictions. The title screams that this would help me help them, especially those with sexual addictions. Mr. Trip tells us over and over that we should turn away from out problems (rarely does he call them addictions) and put Jesus back on the throne as we move ourselves off of it. Now, this is good advice, I have no problem with that. The problem is a person with addictions needs to hear this but also needs to be given steps in the natural to overcome their problems. Mr. Trip does not offer anything like this at all. One without the other is not a real solid teaching in my estimation.
Except for a few chapters it is mostly about sexual problems in life. Change the statistics and put in other addictions and this book could have been about any pair of addictions that you want them to be. The book is really that generic. Basic quote from the book to sum it all up:
“The dynamic of addiction is that if you look to something that God created, to give you what it wasn’t intended to give you, either you get discouraged quickly, and wisely abandon those hopes, or you go back again and again, and in so doing, you begin to travel down addiction’s road."
In other words, you take the creation and replace the creator with it.
I think that the only chapter I liked really well was chapter 4 that talks about 'The highest pleasure'. He tells us why we are wired for pleasure and how to get Godly pleasure.
For the average user this book will most likely be OK. I really can not recommend it for anyone who is working in ministry to people like this or to the families of people with addictions. They will repeat the things to the addict thinking they are helping and the addict needs help, not just words. (less)
So what was my problem with this? In an unofficial capacity I have a ministry to men with addictions. The title screams that this would help me help them, especially those with sexual addictions. Mr. Trip tells us over and over that we should turn away from out problems (rarely does he call them addictions) and put Jesus back on the throne as we move ourselves off of it. Now, this is good advice, I have no problem with that. The problem is a person with addictions needs to hear this but also needs to be given steps in the natural to overcome their problems. Mr. Trip does not offer anything like this at all. One without the other is not a real solid teaching in my estimation.
Except for a few chapters it is mostly about sexual problems in life. Change the statistics and put in other addictions and this book could have been about any pair of addictions that you want them to be. The book is really that generic. Basic quote from the book to sum it all up:
“The dynamic of addiction is that if you look to something that God created, to give you what it wasn’t intended to give you, either you get discouraged quickly, and wisely abandon those hopes, or you go back again and again, and in so doing, you begin to travel down addiction’s road."
In other words, you take the creation and replace the creator with it.
I think that the only chapter I liked really well was chapter 4 that talks about 'The highest pleasure'. He tells us why we are wired for pleasure and how to get Godly pleasure.
For the average user this book will most likely be OK. I really can not recommend it for anyone who is working in ministry to people like this or to the families of people with addictions. They will repeat the things to the addict thinking they are helping and the addict needs help, not just words. (less)
I started reading this book for two reasons. 1. One of the categories on the current Tim Challis reading challenge is to read a book about money or finances. 2. I had received it for free some time back from Christian Audio. I started reading it with the assumption that I was good on both issues, but I should have known better! It was by Paul Tripp and he always goes straight for the heart! He showed how both of these issues is a heart/worship issue. He says that we are created to worship and we worship every day, not just an hour on Sunday morning. Question is, "Who/what do we worship?" These two areas of our life reveal the answer to that question. Way too often we are selfishly worshiping self and seeking our own good, our own pleasures. We, by our actions, show that we think we are better than God in giving ourselves the good things that we desire in life. When we do this, we reveal that we don't understand that this life is just preparation for eternity! (less)
Aug 21, 2017David Mosher rated it liked it
This is where we see self-ism manifests itself the most, in how we view and approach sex and how we think about money. The younger you are (within reason) when you understand the God given importance of each, the better off you will be. Both were provided for very specific purposes, for good, by our Creator and when we pervert either one of them, the road to destruction is wide. This book has some very important content in it and while I do recommend the book, it comes with a warning.
I am probably in the minority when I say I am just not a big fan of Tripp's style of writing. This book would be far more impactful had it been 40 pages shorter. Tripp tends to fill many pages by repeating what he had already written, several times. Some really enjoy that style, I personally don't unless it is in the context of the Bible. So, read the book for the applicable content on sex and money, but don't be surprised if you end up skipping through some pages. (less)
I am probably in the minority when I say I am just not a big fan of Tripp's style of writing. This book would be far more impactful had it been 40 pages shorter. Tripp tends to fill many pages by repeating what he had already written, several times. Some really enjoy that style, I personally don't unless it is in the context of the Bible. So, read the book for the applicable content on sex and money, but don't be surprised if you end up skipping through some pages. (less)
Nov 25, 2013Michael Boling rated it it was amazing
Sex and money – two things many would arguably state they don’t have enough of these days. Additionally, these two issues comprise the pursuits of far too many these days. It is not as if sex and the pursuit and use of money are sins as after all, God created sex and money is an inanimate object. What gets most people in trouble is the incorrect pursuit of these two issues to include the lordship that sex and money has in the lives of many people today. It is this incorrect application and the need for society at large to reassess sex and money in relation to how God desires them to function in our lives that is addressed in Pau Tripp’s excellent book, Sex and Money: Pleasures that Leave You Empty and Grace that Satisfies.
I will state at the outset of this review that this book is one of the best books I have read all year. For an individual such as myself that has the opportunity to read a wide variety of theological and Christian living books throughout the year, that is saying quite a bit to rate this book so highly. As I read this book, I found myself continually convicted resulting in the realization that I have quite a few misplaced priorities in the areas of sex and money that need to be addressed. Immediately, I began to evaluate areas in my life and in the life of my family that need to come under the lordship of God to include a discussion with my wife of how we spend our money. Essentially, this evaluation boils down to whether or not sex and money are things in my life that glorify God. Admittedly, in many areas the unfortunate answer is no.
Tripp rightly notes our world has gone completely crazy when it comes to sex and money. Often, our society’s issues with sex and money are blamed on environment, sex or money itself or anyone other than ourselves. Tripp saliently notes “the humbling truth is that when it comes to sex and money we don’t have a thing problem; the things (sex and money) are not evil in themselves. We don’t have an environment problem, as if our surroundings cause the difficulty. No, we are the problem. The counterintuitive reality is that it’s only ever the evil inside us that magnetizes us toward and connects us to the evil that’s outside of us.”
There is a solution to this problem. It is not simply rooted in no longer looking at dirty magazines, movies, lewd music or avoiding the Black Friday sales which lure people into overspending on material things that will be thrown away or forgotten in a matter of weeks. Since our problems with sex and money are evidence of a wicked heart, the only answer to faulty appropriations of sex and money is the grace of God. This aspect is where Tripp’s book really shines. It is one thing to simply point out that society has a problem. One would hope at least that even the most spiritual blind among us can at least partially admit that society is over-sexualized and the pursuit of things and keeping up with the latest fad and celebrity is the focus of many people’s every waking moment. Providing helpful biblical solutions to the problem separates mere self help approach style books from books rooted in pointing the individual to the answer, namely the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
I appreciated Tripp’s focus on worship, relationships, and obedience in relation to sex and money. This takes the focus off of ourselves and our penchant for misusing these gifts to focusing our efforts in regards to sex and money to the worship of God, the building of godly relationships, and being obedient stewards of money and being obedient to how God designed sex to function. Tripp aptly comments “Sex for the glory of the Creator is sex made sane again. Sex as an act of the worship of God is sex made right again. And in this struggle of glory and worship, God meets us with his tender and patient grace.” Furthermore, since everything is life is rooted in loving God and loving others, the proper use of sex and money is the proper building of relationships. Instead of being me focused, the use of sex and money must be God focused. Tripp again aptly declares “Divine enthronement is at the root of sexual insanity of every kind. If you are questing for the position of God, you will not behave as you should in any area of your life.” This same truth can be applied to our use of money as well. Finally, Tripp avers that “Sexual purity doesn’t begin with setting up a regimen for behavioral change. It begins with mourning the condition of your heart, and when you do, you can rest assured that you will be greeted with powerful grace because your Savior has promised that he will never turn his back when you come to him with a broken and contrite heart.”
In a world that finds itself under a mountain of crushing debt and devotion to sexual immorality of all types, the typical approach is to look everywhere for help except God. The result is a society that loves sex and money instead of loving God. Many have asserted that money is the root of all evil or that sex is bad. Money is not evil and sex is not evil. It is the misuse and lordship of both over God that is evil. The answer as Tripp so marvelously reminds the reader throughout this excellent book is the grace of God through Jesus Christ. I truly loved the way Tripp ended this book, especially his closing argument that “we needn’t panic; we needn’t succumb; we needn’t thing that our battles are leading nowhere. We must not give way to assessments of poverty, aloneness, and impossibility, because the insanity has been invaded by the Messiah, Jesus. He faced every insane thing we face, and he defeated it all on our behalf. He did all this so that you and I would have the grace we need to face the sex-and-money struggles that we will continue to face until eternity is our home and the insanity has been quieted forever.”
Since the issues of sex and money impact every person on this planet, this book is a must read for everyone on this planet. We all struggle with how to properly view sex and money in our lives so understanding how to deal with those struggles in a biblical manner is a must. Tripp reminds the reader over and over again of the need to lay these struggles at the foot of the cross. Only by reorienting our perspectives and focus in life, can we even begin to properly deal with sex and money, let alone understanding that sex and money misused are but fleeting pleasures. Sex and money properly used build godly relationships and store up treasures in heaven, focusing all the glory to God and Him alone who is the only one who deserves to be God in our lives. (less)
I will state at the outset of this review that this book is one of the best books I have read all year. For an individual such as myself that has the opportunity to read a wide variety of theological and Christian living books throughout the year, that is saying quite a bit to rate this book so highly. As I read this book, I found myself continually convicted resulting in the realization that I have quite a few misplaced priorities in the areas of sex and money that need to be addressed. Immediately, I began to evaluate areas in my life and in the life of my family that need to come under the lordship of God to include a discussion with my wife of how we spend our money. Essentially, this evaluation boils down to whether or not sex and money are things in my life that glorify God. Admittedly, in many areas the unfortunate answer is no.
Tripp rightly notes our world has gone completely crazy when it comes to sex and money. Often, our society’s issues with sex and money are blamed on environment, sex or money itself or anyone other than ourselves. Tripp saliently notes “the humbling truth is that when it comes to sex and money we don’t have a thing problem; the things (sex and money) are not evil in themselves. We don’t have an environment problem, as if our surroundings cause the difficulty. No, we are the problem. The counterintuitive reality is that it’s only ever the evil inside us that magnetizes us toward and connects us to the evil that’s outside of us.”
There is a solution to this problem. It is not simply rooted in no longer looking at dirty magazines, movies, lewd music or avoiding the Black Friday sales which lure people into overspending on material things that will be thrown away or forgotten in a matter of weeks. Since our problems with sex and money are evidence of a wicked heart, the only answer to faulty appropriations of sex and money is the grace of God. This aspect is where Tripp’s book really shines. It is one thing to simply point out that society has a problem. One would hope at least that even the most spiritual blind among us can at least partially admit that society is over-sexualized and the pursuit of things and keeping up with the latest fad and celebrity is the focus of many people’s every waking moment. Providing helpful biblical solutions to the problem separates mere self help approach style books from books rooted in pointing the individual to the answer, namely the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
I appreciated Tripp’s focus on worship, relationships, and obedience in relation to sex and money. This takes the focus off of ourselves and our penchant for misusing these gifts to focusing our efforts in regards to sex and money to the worship of God, the building of godly relationships, and being obedient stewards of money and being obedient to how God designed sex to function. Tripp aptly comments “Sex for the glory of the Creator is sex made sane again. Sex as an act of the worship of God is sex made right again. And in this struggle of glory and worship, God meets us with his tender and patient grace.” Furthermore, since everything is life is rooted in loving God and loving others, the proper use of sex and money is the proper building of relationships. Instead of being me focused, the use of sex and money must be God focused. Tripp again aptly declares “Divine enthronement is at the root of sexual insanity of every kind. If you are questing for the position of God, you will not behave as you should in any area of your life.” This same truth can be applied to our use of money as well. Finally, Tripp avers that “Sexual purity doesn’t begin with setting up a regimen for behavioral change. It begins with mourning the condition of your heart, and when you do, you can rest assured that you will be greeted with powerful grace because your Savior has promised that he will never turn his back when you come to him with a broken and contrite heart.”
In a world that finds itself under a mountain of crushing debt and devotion to sexual immorality of all types, the typical approach is to look everywhere for help except God. The result is a society that loves sex and money instead of loving God. Many have asserted that money is the root of all evil or that sex is bad. Money is not evil and sex is not evil. It is the misuse and lordship of both over God that is evil. The answer as Tripp so marvelously reminds the reader throughout this excellent book is the grace of God through Jesus Christ. I truly loved the way Tripp ended this book, especially his closing argument that “we needn’t panic; we needn’t succumb; we needn’t thing that our battles are leading nowhere. We must not give way to assessments of poverty, aloneness, and impossibility, because the insanity has been invaded by the Messiah, Jesus. He faced every insane thing we face, and he defeated it all on our behalf. He did all this so that you and I would have the grace we need to face the sex-and-money struggles that we will continue to face until eternity is our home and the insanity has been quieted forever.”
Since the issues of sex and money impact every person on this planet, this book is a must read for everyone on this planet. We all struggle with how to properly view sex and money in our lives so understanding how to deal with those struggles in a biblical manner is a must. Tripp reminds the reader over and over again of the need to lay these struggles at the foot of the cross. Only by reorienting our perspectives and focus in life, can we even begin to properly deal with sex and money, let alone understanding that sex and money misused are but fleeting pleasures. Sex and money properly used build godly relationships and store up treasures in heaven, focusing all the glory to God and Him alone who is the only one who deserves to be God in our lives. (less)
Aug 07, 2017Norm Konzelman rated it really liked it
This is a long and always good, if not excellent book.
It's a shame the title seems not to live up to the rescuing information and truths contained within it's pages, though for the life of me, I wouldn't know what else to title it.
For me, it was much deeper as how to walk with God more sincerely, and warnings to help avoid the tragedy that love of money, and impure desires can take a person to.
The author keeps hammering on the sin for a long time in this long book, and I could not take it in except by measure. Not until near the end does he begin to "speak comfortably" with encouragement, but I wouldn't change a thing even if I could.
The audio is very well read and I wish everyone could hear this work in these days of lowering standards and morality in the lives of far too many.
Thank you. (less)
It's a shame the title seems not to live up to the rescuing information and truths contained within it's pages, though for the life of me, I wouldn't know what else to title it.
For me, it was much deeper as how to walk with God more sincerely, and warnings to help avoid the tragedy that love of money, and impure desires can take a person to.
The author keeps hammering on the sin for a long time in this long book, and I could not take it in except by measure. Not until near the end does he begin to "speak comfortably" with encouragement, but I wouldn't change a thing even if I could.
The audio is very well read and I wish everyone could hear this work in these days of lowering standards and morality in the lives of far too many.
Thank you. (less)
This book is gospel centric and treats sex and money more as “case studies” of things that often usurp God in our life. It’s not explicitly about sex or money or per se. The book does an excellent job of explaining why our worship should focus on the Creator and not His creation.
The problem with this book is how it is written. Tripp takes pages to explain things that could be summed up in a couple of sentences. He is very repetitive as well. I feel like the message could have been sent with half the number of pages. He also seems to focus more on sex than money, and didn’t really the real two topics together. The book comes across as very sloppily organized.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Paul David Tripp and it makes me not want to read more of his work. I do have his daily devotional book, “New Morning Mercies” and I noticed the same repetitiveness and wordiness in that as well.
He speaks the truth, but I wish he had a better way of presenting it. (less)
The problem with this book is how it is written. Tripp takes pages to explain things that could be summed up in a couple of sentences. He is very repetitive as well. I feel like the message could have been sent with half the number of pages. He also seems to focus more on sex than money, and didn’t really the real two topics together. The book comes across as very sloppily organized.
This is the first book I’ve ever read by Paul David Tripp and it makes me not want to read more of his work. I do have his daily devotional book, “New Morning Mercies” and I noticed the same repetitiveness and wordiness in that as well.
He speaks the truth, but I wish he had a better way of presenting it. (less)
Jan 27, 2018Will rated it liked it
This book has a lot of godly wisdom regarding sex and money, but listening to it is like panning for gold: you have to go through a lot of pebbles before you find that nugget of gold. But I say "listening" because I couldn't decide whether it's the writing itself that was poor, or whether it just didn't lend itself well to the audio format. The "anonymous stories" at the beginning of most chapters get really repetitive after a while, and don't always help to illustrate the concepts or advance the arguments. Still worth it though. (less)
Aug 09, 2017Theron StJohn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This book is honest, heart-exposing, and hopeful. It is honest as Paul Tripp transparently shares and confesses his own struggle in these areas. It is heart-exposing, opening my eyes to subtleties where I have sought for these areas to satisfy, thereby calling me to repentance. It is hopeful because it points the reader to the only One who can satisfy and solve our problem, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hope is His gospel!
May 29, 2019Vincent Ng rated it really liked it
The book is as the title describes. Tripp delves into the two gargantuan issues affect mankind; the first being sex and the other money. Tripp explores how these two ambitions ultimately fail to satisfy mankind, but keeps us wanting more. He states that the issues we have are not budget, financial and things issues but rather issues of treasure, kingship, and heart. The only proper solution for our money and sex idolatry is the grace of God culminating on the cross.
Feb 10, 2018Mark Donald rated it it was amazing
Excellent work on two incredibly important, yet under addressed subjects in the Christian life.
Tripp addresses both Sex and Money with biblical clarity and points to a grace filled, God glorifying vision for how these gifts can be enjoyed in a way which honors God.
Highly recommend. Wish I could give a copy to every member of my church and have them read it!
Tripp addresses both Sex and Money with biblical clarity and points to a grace filled, God glorifying vision for how these gifts can be enjoyed in a way which honors God.
Highly recommend. Wish I could give a copy to every member of my church and have them read it!
Jun 16, 2017Erik Spohr rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Incredibly helpful work on temptation and identity.
Feb 26, 2018Rachel Oldaker rated it it was amazing
all a matter of the heart. a book I will come back to and read (or listen to) again and again.
