Slave of Two Masters Melinda Selmys 9780991909803 Books
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It is impossible to serve both God and Mammon. This is one of those hard sayings in the gospel that often causes people to go away sad. Material wealth seems like such an important part of happiness here on Earth that the cost of giving it up for Christ seems intolerable. Money secures so many basic human goods freedom, choice, social status, dignity, self-respect, the ability to provide for others, and even life itself. Poverty may be a virtue but surely it's one of those gruelling, unpleasant virtues which are reserved for people who have made religious vows. Yet there is one thing that is difficult to explain. The people who have embraced the virtue of poverty have freedom, choice, love, dignity, self-respect, generosity and fullness of life. More so, in fact, than the people who have tried to obtain these things with gold. Everybody knows, vaguely, that this is true. The question is, how do we go about proving it from day to day? When Mammon promises us the world, if only we will bow down and worship him, how do we find the faith to trust in God instead?
Slave of Two Masters Melinda Selmys 9780991909803 Books
This book is a large challenge in a small package.Only 120 pages long, divided into 32 brief chapters, it will daunt, surprise, delight, and question your heart. Melinda is an excellent writer, and a thinker with provocative insights on wealth, poverty, justice, and growth in virtue for us regular, but serious, Christian folk. She even has 3 or 4 mini-chapters on Time that are worth mulling over repeatedly. Not a one-size-fits-all approach, but one that sets out the key anchor points we all must consider no matter what our circumstances. Slave of Two Masters is ready made to start discussion in study groups, classrooms, or with your spouse. It would make a great set of meditation readings for Lent or any other time of the year. Just the sort of challenge that should be presented to college students or seniors in high school. Mrs. Selmys draws upon Scripture, the Fathers, Church teaching documents, and classical philosophers, all fitted seamlessly into her highly readable prose.
She does not take "Go, and sell all you have" literally for everyone; but she takes it so seriously you will have lots to ponder and pray through.
Warning: if you like this book you will find yourself drawing up a list of people to send copies to.
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Tags : Slave of Two Masters [Melinda Selmys] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. It is impossible to serve both God and Mammon. This is one of those hard sayings in the gospel that often causes people to go away sad. Material wealth seems like such an important part of happiness here on Earth that the cost of giving it up for Christ seems intolerable. Money secures so many basic human goods: freedom,Melinda Selmys,Slave of Two Masters,Vulgata,0991909801,Christianity - Catholic,RELIGION Christianity Catholic,Religion - Catholicism,Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church
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Slave of Two Masters Melinda Selmys 9780991909803 Books Reviews
Mammon has had an easy time lately. As though the Body of Christ had been split on the rack, much of the Church has pulled apart into conservative and liberal tribes eager to smash the others' idols. Here the Left flails at the Right's militarism; over there the Right shouts down the Left's licentiousness. But amid the blows one idol has gotten a free ride avarice or greed (traditionally called "Mammon") is not seriously denounced by either Right or Left, both of which live in gross consumer indulgence. For those weary of watching this golden calf nuzzle Christians like a pet tabby, this book is a long-awaited wish-fulfillment.
In 16 short chapters and a slim 132 pages, Selmys takes a scalpel to our habits of consumption, idolatry of name brands, and culpable apathy over sweatshop labor. Much more than a jeremiad, Slave of Two Masters also gives solid advice for how the ex-slave of Mammon should live as a freeman in Christ. These range from buying fair trade even if you have fewer possessions, making rather than buying gifts, mending the old instead of buying new, and embracing a lifestyle of simplicity geared to generosity to the poor. Along the way there are fascinating meditations on things like time and labor, children as natural mendicants, the mental freedom within physical work to pursue cultural and spiritual goods, and a summons to renew the Sabbath rest within our lives. As with all Selmys' work, Slave is written in highly readable and translucent prose. The book is perfect for the vast majority of us who know we shouldn't be in bed with Mammon but need a game plan for ending the affair. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
This book has a clear introduction followed by short digestible sections, beginning with Genesis, and quoting encyclicals, saints, and philosophers throughout.
It provides an excellent summary of our current economic trends, and pinpoints the disordered and immoral thoughts and behaviors most central to our consumerist culture.
A recurring point is there are groups of people who are underserved and disregarded because they don't contribute financially or their work is unvalued. Loneliness is a major suffering in modern poverty.
Examples of healthy economic activity are given; the comparison of usury to speculative investment I found particularly helpful. The games Monopoly and Agricola provide a metaphor for ways to build wealth. The book also discusses time how it can be used in different ways, turned into money, and tithed.
Melissa Selmys is at her best when she writes on gender, and that is touched on in this book, from the curse of Adam & Eve that designated men's work & women's work, and how feminism seeks to change this with mixed results. She reveals how the "Culture of Death" is based in disordered utilitarian economics, that sees people as interchangeable slaves rather than unique children, as Christianity teaches.
The only disappointment is this book provides philosophical food for thought rather than actionable steps. i suppose it's hard to give advice to people in a variety of unknown circumstances.
Some tips were included toward the end
Reclaim wealth that others waste don't be afraid to dumpster dive and rescue leftovers even if you might appear poor.
Take care of your own possessions & repair them if you can.
Avoid occasions of sin, such as ads.
Shop small businesses, to support people in self-directed work.
Reform the culture of your own workplace.
Don't worry or daydream about the future too much.
Changed the way I think about money, time, and what Jesus asks me to do with them. But hopefully I'll come back and update this review in a couple months, since insight is of limited value without change.
This book is a very serious attempt to figure out how to apply the totality of Catholic Social Teaching in modern society. It provides more questions than answers, which given the subject matter works pretty well, as it provides abundant opportunities for examination of conscience. It is broken up into lots of short, easy-to-read chapters; perfect for meditation. Highly recommended!
Also worth reading on this subject is Happy Are You Poor by Father Thomas Dubay.
This book is a large challenge in a small package.
Only 120 pages long, divided into 32 brief chapters, it will daunt, surprise, delight, and question your heart. Melinda is an excellent writer, and a thinker with provocative insights on wealth, poverty, justice, and growth in virtue for us regular, but serious, Christian folk. She even has 3 or 4 mini-chapters on Time that are worth mulling over repeatedly. Not a one-size-fits-all approach, but one that sets out the key anchor points we all must consider no matter what our circumstances. Slave of Two Masters is ready made to start discussion in study groups, classrooms, or with your spouse. It would make a great set of meditation readings for Lent or any other time of the year. Just the sort of challenge that should be presented to college students or seniors in high school. Mrs. Selmys draws upon Scripture, the Fathers, Church teaching documents, and classical philosophers, all fitted seamlessly into her highly readable prose.
She does not take "Go, and sell all you have" literally for everyone; but she takes it so seriously you will have lots to ponder and pray through.
Warning if you like this book you will find yourself drawing up a list of people to send copies to.
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