Just pass
You can read the (much) fuller review on SpoiledMilks (8/1/13)
The Chocolate Milk
Platt actually doesn't tell you the reader to downsize their house, their car, their income, go move to the inner city, etc. He gives examples of some in his church and others who he knows who have done so to remove themselves from the "American dream" and to spread the gospel to those they wouldn't normally reach. Platt helpfully points the reader away from the American dream and directs them to send help (financial/physical) to the lost in America and in the world.
Salvation means there should be a life-style change (pp. 38-39). Making money isn't wrong, but there's more to life than spending it all on our wants and desires, but there are others who really need it (2 Cor 8:9). It's not a "Social Gospel" of merely meeting all physical needs, but showing love by sacrifice.
Platt doesn't tell us to put legalistic pressures on ourselves or others. We should ask ourselves and pray about how much we should keep and how much we should give. Be neither the slacker nor the hoarder.
The Spoiled Milk
My biggest peeve with the book is one theme implied throughout the whole book:dichotomy. Platt makes a distinction between Christians who live "radically" and those who don't. What's an ordinary Christian to do? What is a busy, single parent to do? There are things they can do, but nothing as 'radical' as what Platt suggests? What do you do? You live. Acts 17:28a: "for in Him we live and move and have our being" (see 1 Cor 10.31).
He seems to assume his audience is wholly made up of money-hungry, American Christians who don't like to share their money (even if that's very true).
What is really radical? Loving your spouse. Raising your kids to love God and being the godly example for them. Representing God well to the world. Read your Bible, study your Bible, and pray. Love the world.?+
Also, this book was boring.?
Recommended?
No.