Jesus’ Economy: A Biblical View of Poverty, the Currency of Love, and a Pattern for Lasting Change

Overview

You know people around the world are struggling. A homeless man holds a sign that reads, “Anything helps.” A poor child lives in a slum swarming with flies. A refugee mother is on the brink of starvation. You ask yourself, “But what can I do about such big problems?”

You’re looking for long-term solutions. John D. Barry shares incredible, and often shocking, stories about working among the impoverished and unchurched in the U.S. and abroad. And since Barry is a Bible scholar, Jesus’ Economy is also deeply rooted in the Scriptures. It is a personal, sometimes funny, often heartbreaking account that presents a revolutionary pattern for lasting change.

Jesus' Economy is based on self-sacrifice. His currency is love. It’s called Jesus’ Economy because it’s about creating a spiritual and physical economy for those who need it most. Here is a thoroughly biblical and compassionate pattern for addressing issues of poverty and offering the hope of the gospel.

Jesus’ Economy is a call to address our own spiritual poverty—as people who can too easily become distant from Christ—and it is a call to address the physical poverty all around us in a smart and sustainable way. Jesus’ teachings show that with simple, everyday choices, you can make the world a better place and create enduring change. Here’s how to live Jesus’ economy—a currency of love.

Jesus’ Economy:

• Shows how you as an individual can best encourage renewal in your community.
• Demonstrates how your church community or any group can alleviate poverty.
• Presents a unified plan for creating jobs, spreading the gospel, and meeting basic needs.
• Focuses on community development and sustainability—lasting change, globally and locally.

The Logos edition of Jesus’ Economy includes an additional appendix on how to preach on the topic of poverty and community development—including 4 sermon outlines.

Praise for Jesus’ Economy

John Barry has written an inspiring and readable account about Jesus, poverty, and the mission of the church. This book tells you what poverty is, where it is, what Jesus said about it, and how you can follow Jesus' commands to end it. A great introduction to the socioeconomics of poverty, as well as Christian teaching on the subject. Great resource for pastors, students, and church groups!

—Michael F. Bird, Academic Dean and Lecturer in Theology, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia

Jesus’ Economy is fast moving and ‘heart’ hitting. It will bring conviction. It will also give you hope. I am happy to commend its widest reading.

—Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Barry shares deep insights into wealth and poverty from Jesus’ perspective. Jesus’ Economy is well worth reading, pondering, and putting into action, especially in this day and age.

—Julie Lee Wu, President and Dean, China Bible Seminary, Hong Kong

A fine handbook for practical mission work.

—Robert D. Lupton

A must-read ... a book that the global church needs to embrace and use.

—Sunday Bobai Agang

The message of Jesus’ Economy is ‘You can do this!’ ... helps us believe all over again.

—Reggie McNeal

A long-term strategy for healing both physical and spiritual poverty.

—Jay W. Richards

Contents

• Prologue: Opportunities like never before.
• Part 1: The problem of poverty. How our world works. And envisioning a better reality.
• Part 2: God’s view of the impoverished. What the Bible says about poverty. And what that really means.
• Part 3: The myths of poverty. What followers of Jesus should say in response. And really understanding poverty.
• Part 4: Some very practical ideas for overcoming poverty. How you can truly love people. And why it won’t be easy.
• Epilogue: Never stop truly loving.

Product Details

• Title: Jesus’ Economy: A Biblical View of Poverty, the Currency of Love, and a Pattern for Lasting Change
• Author: John D. Barry
• Publisher: Whitaker House
• Publication Date: 2019
• Page Count: 178

About John D. Barry

John D. Barry is the CEO and founder of Jesus’ Economy, a non--profit dedicated to creating jobs and churches in the developing world. He is the general editor of the Faithlife Study Bible and Lexham Bible Dictionary, and has authored or edited over 30 books. He previously served as editor-in-chief of Bible Study Magazine.