The Economics of Neighborly Love
Investing in Your Community's Compassion and Capacity
- Work, Money & Leadership
- Publisher: InterVarsity Press
- Published: 2017
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Publisher's Description
The Gospel Coalition Book Award What does the good news of Jesus mean for economics? Too often, Christian teaching and ministry have focused only on the gospel's spiritual significance and ignored its physical, real-world ramifications. But loving our neighbor well has direct economic implications, and in our diverse and stratified society we need to grapple with them now more than ever. In The Economics of Neighborly Love pastor Tom Nelson sets outto address this problem. Marrying biblical study, economic theory, and practical advice, he presents a vision for church ministry that works toward the flourishing of the local community, beginning with its poorest and most marginalized members. Nelson resists oversimplification and pushes us toward more complex and nuanced understandings of wealth and poverty. If we confess the gospel of Jesus, he insists, we must contend anew with its implications for the well-being of our local communities. Together we can grow in both compassion and capacity.
Endorsements (8)
“This desperately needed book shows that a concern for fruitfulness—relational and vocational—is a deep pattern running through Scripture, literally from beginning to end. Fruitfulness in all our work and relationships is essential to discipleship to Jesus Christ, which is at the heart of the identity and mission of God's people. Tom Nelson has done both the church and the world an extraordinary service by giving it the fruitful gift of this book.”
“Tom Nelson's new book is a great contribution to a growing and needed literature that helps churches connect to their parishes and neighborhoods and serve not only individuals, but the public good. There is an emerging awareness of the importance of this, but few volumes are as practical as this one in describing the way forward. I recommend it!”
“I've been eagerly awaiting this book ever since I first heard that Tom Nelson was writing on economics. Now that I've read the book, I'm deeply grateful and excited to share it with others. It's hard to imagine a book that is more urgently needed in our time of history. And it's hard to imagine a more incisive, compassionate, biblical, and relevant discussion of economics and Christian faith. Nelson combines scriptural wisdom, cultural awareness, pastoral sensitivity, and practical expression to guide us into a deeper understanding of how our faith must be lived in the complex realm of economics. He anchors everything in Scripture, whether drawing from the creation account in Genesis, the example of Nehemiah, the wisdom of Proverbs, the prophecy of Amos, or the parables of Jesus. The Economics of Neighborly Love holds together what we have so often and so wrongly put asunder: faithfulness and flourishing, productivity and justice, compassion and creativity, wealth and love. The result is a book that should be read by pastors and church leaders, to be sure, but also by all followers of Jesus who seek to live faithful and fruitful lives in today's world.”
“With characteristic winsomeness and clarity, Nelson covers a wide range of topics from poverty to jobs and justice to entrepreneurship, providing a highly readable overview of biblically informed economic life. This pastor has taken the time to learn about the capacity that makes genuine compassion possible. Implicit in the book is a much-needed correction to the church: we've far too long avoided the work of thinking well about economics, as though somehow that sphere is detached from our spiritual life. Nelson shows us the Bible talks about economics through and through—it's just that too many pastors haven't been paying sufficient attention. Nelson has given us an accessible introductory textbook for understanding what makes for flourishing people and communities.”
“I have many books on Christianity and economics in my library. Tom Nelson's The Economics of Neighborly Love will be shelved among the best. It represents an optimal combination of solid theology, sound economics, and specific applications. If you've already read Sider, Corbett, and Fikkert, Nelson's book will be a valuable complement. If you've not yet read them, start with Nelson. You will be challenged, instructed, and edified. Not many books on economics can pull off this hat trick.”
“I'm delighted to see this insightful book by Tom Nelson hit the streets! Tom connects work and economics with theological skill, biblical acumen, and a pastoral heart. He rightly sees how economics is intimately connected to our ability to flourish as human beings, our mandate to be productive in the world, and our obligation to love our neighbors. When reading this book, you will feel as if you're sitting down with Tom over a cup of coffee for a conversation about some of life's most important matters, and thankfully you don't have to be an expert in economics to follow the conversation. Tom is a great guide through this material, since it comes out of his lived experience, both personally and as a longtime pastor. This is a book about why economics matters—how personal compassion and economic capacity both are important.”
“Money, spirituality, and responsibility are rarely put together side by side in a balanced way. The Economics of Neighborly Love takes you there in a way that will encourage the practical understanding and development of resources, leading to flourishing. I highly commend this book.”
“There is no secular/spiritual divide. Every Jesus-follower who labors in the marketplace has a ministry just as significant as those who labor in the pulpit. In The Economics of Neighborly Love, Tom Nelson points the way to a genuine biblical worldview that grasps the powerful spiritual interconnectedness between what happens in the marketplace, our churches, communities, nation, world, and our walk with Jesus. I highly recommend it.”
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