Satisfied, by Jeff Manion

Does it sometimes seem that enough is never enough?  Jeff Manion, pastor of Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, challenges Christians to pause a moment and reflect on their spending habits and lifestyle in Satisfied: Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption.  Manion has served for decades at Ada Bible.  I never did attend when I lived in Grand Rapids but was familiar with the dynamic, growing ministry of the church.  Manion's clear teaching, biblical grounding, and story-telling ability to bring to life the setting of the New Testament are evident in Satisfied and surely reflect on a successful career in the pulpit.

In Satisfied, Manion's target audience is Western Christians who, either through growing salaries or growing credit card debt (or, likely, both) have made the accumulation of stuff the focus of their lives.  How easy it is in our culture to believe that what we have equals who we are.  He writes, "We live in a consumer-driven, debt-ridden, advertisement saturated culture, and it will require nothing short of total transformation to adopt the heart and brain of Jesus."

One key is contentment, "the discipline of being fully alive to God and to others whatever our material circumstances." We get caught up in the desire for more, but "if our goal is more, then whatever we have is not enough.  It is like running a race where a finish line doesn't exist."  We might lose our contentment due to comparison with others.  I know I often fall into this trap, where I fail to enjoy what I have because I obsess over what I lack and others have.  "Comparison is the enemy of the satisfied life."  We should foster an attitude of thankfulness for what we have and proper perspective on the blessings in our lives.

Manion is not, however, an ascetic.  He acknowledges that God does want to bless us, and wants us to enjoy his blessings.  "The gracious Father provides innumerable gifts and wants you to enjoy them." God gives us "a whispered invitation: 'Enjoy this.'" But he does not stop there.  When he whispers that he wants us to enjoy his blessings, our response should be, "Is there anything you desire from me?" We may hear him say, "Yes, I want you to share."

Unlike many books on giving and finances, Manion doesn't focus on money-saving tips or suggestions for communal living.  His project is more fundamental, to spur a change in focus from ourselves and our money and things to enjoying God and serving others.   I enjoyed the book, enjoyed Manion's style, and was challenged by his substance.  I am guilty of wanting more, of focusing on money and things, and of letting myself become immersed in our consumer culture.  Manion provides a remedy, or at least points us in the right direction.



Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!