Doing Well and Doing Good: Money, Giving, and Caring in a Free Society

By Os Guinness

Book Overview

Ever since the first coin was minted in the seventh century B.C., money has been central to human society as one of the elemental forces driving the affairs of individuals and nations. But in spite of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576831612
• ISBN13: 9781576831618
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Navpress Pub Group
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Thorough discussions of timeless topic

Os Guinness has given us a through review of ideas surrounding giving, charity, empowerment and "entitlement." Readers who are familar with Guinness may be somewhat surprised in that although Guinness is a Christian author and this book was sold through a Christian book outlet, and there are discussions of the Good Samaritan and the Widow's donation, there is no more discussion of Christianity (or religion in general) than one would find in a similar book by any secular scholar. I think this actually improves the book, showing the universiality of the ideas without knee jerk reactions. The book gives an even handed discussion, noting Carnegie's philanthropy, for example, while also noting the dangerous and inhuman conditions under which his employees toiled. Couldn't Carnegie have built a few less libraries and paid his workers a bit more? They didn't want a library, they wanted to not have to fear for their lives at work and put in six day, 60-80 hour weeks for poverty-level wages. That notwithstanding, Carnegis is allowed to express himself in his own words, and an even-handed treatment was offered all around. The theme that comes through the book most strongly is the idea of helping and empowering versus merely giving. Do we teach a person to fish and teach him/her how to make the equipment, or do we just give them a fish? Guinness is very clear that we must do the former. Discussions of Habitat for Humanity and the relative successes and failures of various strategies for soliciting chairty in the "entertainment age" are very striking. The only topic I felt was missing was a discussion of Milton Hershey and his efforts to create community and how he endowed his residence/school for orphans. We come close with a discussion of Ford and the subsequent disaster that the Ford Foundation became from the Ford family's perspective, but I sentimentally would have loved to see tribute given to Milton Hershey and an exploration of his ideas/actions (see Michael D'Antonio's fine biography of Hershey). Guinness has given us an important work, one worthy of study in terms of deciding how to best give of one's self.

Very difficult read, but excellent and profound examination of the issue

Os Guinness gives the reader a very thought-provoking examination of the role of money in society by exploring the idea and issue of the poor and their needs as well as the wealthy and their responsibility. Guinness first examines the role of money in societies as a tool for business and industry while at the same time being an object of desire and worship. The Christian reader not only gets to examine the historical and cultural significance of money, but also will be challenged to personally examine their own views and values of the role of money. Next Guinness looks at the concept of giving - and asks the penetrating questions about the motivation behind giving and the positive as well as the negative results of giving to others. Finally, Guinness examines the modern rise of philanthropic endeavors - the business behind giving that has grown into an industry to rival any other economic producer! Guinness asks probing questions about modern giving - will the private sector be able to meet all the needs of a modern society without the aid of the government, does modern giving remove the giver from the receiver too much, why do the less-fortunate give a greater percentage of their income, and does giving today really remedy the social problems it seeks to address? Doing Well and Doing Good is a rather difficult read, but well worth the time and effort to examine such a complex and interesting subject that really needs to be thought through by Christians today, especially those Christians with significant resources who are wishing to make a difference by being good stewards of what has been given to them. Guinness doesn't leave a stone unturned in his historical examination of this issue and leaves the reader with much to contemplate and consider.