Book Review: Wayne Grudem and Barry Asmus - The Poverty of Nations

Economics has been a favorite subject of mine for the past few years. The whole Keynes vs. Hayek debate is fascinating.

I see the unintended consequences of Government intrusion into the economy as unacceptable. The world planers are not dumb, they are just naive. If we had a world that was not fallen, some of the plans would work. But we do have a fallen world.

Asmus and Grudem have written a much needed book. For far to long the Church has left economics to the liberal establishment. Because we felt that saving souls was our priority, we leave the everyday out-working of the world to the "Experts" The problem is the experts have an agenda and that agenda is to stay in power. The authors of this book show us that economics is important. Countries rise or fall according to their production of goods. How could that not be important?

If we are to share the gospel, it is much easier in a country that is free and has a government that allows its citizens freedom to work, eat, and worship. What could be greater than allowing people to choose their own occupation? Their own land? Their own possessions?

This book contains not only a list of things a country can do to prosper; it also lists the things that keep a country poor. If a person is poor, common sense tells us we should give them money. But here the authors show us that in many cases, that traps a person in poverty.

We have all heard the old says - "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime." That is true. I can hand a homeless person a hundred dollar bill and it will be gone in a day. He will then be back the next day on the street corner begging again. If we give him a job, he is now, not only helping himself, but he is helping society.

This book is a God sent. It is timely and hits the mark. It should be read by every pastor, layman, and politician. It is refreshing to read a book that not only speaks about conservative economics, but it also comes from a biblical prospective.

I can not praise it enough. Over the years, I have probably read a dozen books on economics, but this one is truly the best.

I can not recommend it highly enough. It is one of those books you will read again and again.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book, free of charge, from Crossway and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.