Our church has an important project we would like to give money to, a lot of money. So when I had a chance to review Crystal Paine’s new book Money Making Mom: How Every Woman Can Earn More and Make a Difference, I jumped at it. I wanted to see if there was any way I could make a decent amount of money rather quickly. Besides, I love Crystal’s writing for its godly, practical inspiration.
And that’s what I got. Rather than focusing on earning, earning, earning, Crystal focused on meaning, priorities, fulfillment, and generosity:
Financial freedom has a lot to do with cultivating a deeper perspective of life, a shift in priorities, and a greater significance in your purpose than you may have ever thought about….Use your resources wisely. Invest your time carefully. And make the most of what you have been given so that you can bless others generously.
Of course, there is much more than inspiration in Money Making Mom. After all, it is subtitled How Every Woman can Earn More and Make a Difference, and no one can live without money. Yet the first step to financial freedom is not necessarily about earning more money, but rather about being wise in how you use the money you have.
Next comes understanding who you are, what you can do, what you are made to do. Translating this into earning requires an understanding of business basics, both the financial aspects and the planning aspects. You need to know what your business goal is, to plan your actions, and to focus on doing the most important thing. You also need to explore earning options, and Crystal lists many of them—including the obvious but oft-forgotten tip to tell others that you are looking for ways to make a bit of extra money.
But, as in all things, earning money in unconventional ways and growing a business are projects that require personal growth, learning, stepping out of your comfort zone, persevering, and accepting the fact that you have been made for a purpose greater than yourself. Making money for the sake of money will not satisfy. Instead Crystal encourages her readers to use their skills to make a difference, to bloom where they are planted, to see money as a tool (not a goal), and to keep dreaming, setting goals, and breaking them into bite-size pieces.
If you need to make extra money, this book will encourage you and provide you with many practical ideas. It will hold your hand as you plan, while you make your dreams practical, and when you feel like quitting.
However, you may, like me, discover that making money is not for you right now, no matter how much you feel you need it.
After all, when I discussed making money to give away to that important project, my husband said it was fine, “As long as your economic endeavors do not interfere with your other responsibilities….”
So, am I going to set up a home business or make money in some way? No. Crystal’s book and my husband’s encouragement reminded me that my priorities are different right now. I have a family to love, a home to run, communities to be part of, and health issues to work around. My kids need me as a mom and a homeschool teacher, God has been sending me people who need special encouragement, and the amount of money I could make by monetizing this blog would not pay for the added stress. The way I am called to ‘make a difference’ does not, at this moment, involve earning.
Thus, for me, reading Money Making Mom will not lead to an income, but it has reminded me of what my priorities are. And that big project we wanted to help fund? Well, if God wants us to do so, he will provide a way; in the meantime, we just need to be faithful when and where he calls us.
As Crystal wrote:
Use your resources wisely. Invest your time carefully. And make the most of what you have been given so that you can bless others generously.
Surprisingly, her book reminded me that that does not always involve money.
No matter what your finances are like, Crystal Paine’s Money Making Mom will help you live intentionally, doing what God wants you to be doing. I recommend it. And if buying it is beyond your budget, encourage your public or church library to buy it—another simple way in which you can ‘make a difference’ to those around you.
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This is yet another book in the in the 2015 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge and is also linked to Saturday Reviews, Booknificent Thursdays, Literacy Musings Monday, What to Read Wednesdays and The Book Nook. For more encouragement see Raising Homemakers, Titus 2 Tuesday, Tell it to Me Tuesday.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book courtesy of Thomas Nelson and BookLook Bloggers.
I am in a similar position, not being in a season of life to earn extra income for our family. Sometimes it is very tempting, as finances can get so tight. Sounds like this is a great book.
Yes, it is a very worthwhile book. And as for finances, it’s good to know that there is more to life than money and that our choices are made to glorify God, not the bank account. (Not saying that it is wrong to make and have money, but at times we are given entirely different priorities.)
This has been a hard topic for me over the last ten years – when I left work then my second was two, I took flack from all sides. I heard that it was irresponsible to withhold the money I could be making from the kids… I was setting myself up to be fully dependent on my husband: risky… I would never be able to reengage in the engineering world again…. Sometimes when I feel finically burdened, I can hear these accusations, but scripturally, God reminds me, that raising up these little ones, blessing my husband in my home, bringing peace and fruitfulness out of these walls is what I am called to do. I love your husband’s gentle guidance – truly, as long as it doesn’t take away from your God-given role. Tricky stuff!
Yes, Kathleen, this can be such a hard topic! When I quit earning, people around me were supportive and that made a huge difference. It must have been very difficult for you!
As you remind yourself, you have made the correct choice before God. May God continue to bless you as you do what he has called you to do!
This book sounds interesting. We are a one income family and it sounds like the point is to use your money wisely. A lesson we could all learn from. I hope you can stop by:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-picture-perfect-by-janice.html
Colletta