“Convicted.”
“Guilty.”
“Change your attitude.”

Those thoughts filled my head as I turned the pages of this book, yet I couldn’t put it down!

When I did finally put the book down, the implications of it’s message could not be set aside with the same ease.

Shinabarger highlights that many people have excess. He defines excess as, “The thing that we could give away today, and it wouldn’t change a single aspect of our tomorrow. Excess is more than what we need and in turn it may be exactly what someone else needs.”

While pointing out the excess you may have in your life, Shinabarger does not push a “go homeless” agenda onto the reader. He simply shares stories of recognizing the excess in his life, modifying behaviors, and still surviving. (Shocking, right!?!?)

I love his story of committing to no grocery shopping for a month and simply living off of the food that was currently being stored in the house. He and his wife didn’t make it a month, they made it seven weeks without buying groceries!

Many of us have been incredibly blessed out of our minds. This book is a bold call to recognize our blessings, be generous, and live out who you were designed to be.

More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity
Jeff Shinabarger
2013

I received this book for free from Story Cartel in exchange for my review.

Studies show that one-third to a half of us are introverted. Wether you realize this or not, that has huge implications for how we operate.

A friend said to me, “Ben, you should read this book because it will give you valuable insight on how introverts operate.” Well, he was right.

Continue reading →

Andy says he found this question from studying scripture:

Ephesians 5:15-17 – “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

This gave a new filter for EVERY decision he made. It has the potential to be foolproof in your life. What makes the question a tough one to ask? Self-deception. The Best Question Ever reveals motives and, most of the time, we are too busy tricking ourselves into what we believe to be true.

The Best Question Ever is this: What is the wise thing to do?

32 pages into the book, you have the question. So why read the rest?  Stanley offers practical insight on applying that question to your life. He also offers variances of the question:

1 – In light of your past experience, what is the wise thing to do?

2 – In light of my current circumstances, what is the wise thing to do?

3 – In light of my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?

Put it all together: In light of your past experience, current circumstances, my future hopes and dreams,, what is the wisest way to invest my time?

The second-best question ever is, “What do you think is the wisest thing for me to do?”

Here are some Tweet-sized quotes from the book:

Nobody plans to mess up his life, the problem is that few of us plan not to.

Following Christ requires extreme caution.

Most Americans are overweight and overleveraged. We eat too much and spend too much.

One reason we don’t admit certain things to ourselves is that it helps us to avoid the guilt from not doing what we know we should.

Lifestyle changes don’t happen until and individual faces the facts.

Today’s decisions must be evaluated in light of how they will impact and shape tomorrow.

Your time equals your life.

There is one commodity we must learn how to handle wisely, it is our time.

There is a cumulative value to investing small amounts of time in certain activities over a long period.

Neglect has a cumulative effect.

You cannot make up for lost time.

In this country, most money problems stem from poor financial management, not low income.

Generosity is an invitation.

Let’s face it, purity is not a cultural value.

Wise people know when they don’t know, and they’re not afraid to go to those who do know.

Few people enjoy being told what to do.

You are not the only person affected by your choices.

Private decisions have public consequences.

The Bible has a term for the person who refuses wise counsel: Fool.

Wisdom begins with the recognition of who God is.

I enjoyed reading this book and often found myself nodding my head in agreement with the words on the page. Stanley does a great job weaving the truth of his message with real life stories and it makes the book an enjoyable read.

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The Best Question Ever
By Andy Stanley
October 8, 2004

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review, instead encouraged to write what I think.