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Fed's Reviews > The Science of Getting Rich
The Science of Getting Rich
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This is an interesting book for Christians. I would not recommend this book for young Christians in the faith, but for those who already have solid biblical principles because the book could be misconstrued if read in search for quick miraculous wealth. The text is to be read in its entirety, just like the truth, it is to be taken in its entirety (otherwise it becomes a lie of omission). The author is trying to make a point that (aside for the few incorrect doctrinal points) in order to enjoy the blessings of a wealthy life one must follow 3 simple principles:
1) Get a vision, and focus on it by eliminating all distractions and negativity which will only fog the vision.
2) Stick with the plan even if the circumstances dictate the opposite
3) Have an attitude of gratitude. Thank God always this vision He gave you will become reality!
His point is that God created us all unique and with equal opportunities to enjoy His blessings - which include wealthiness, but that many think of it the wrong way. If making money is the objective of life that is the wrong objective just as it is wrong to strive to get rich for the wrong reasons. Becoming wealthy is not about overpowering others in thought or in means, but having the attitude that "What I want for myself, I want for everybody".
As for opportunities - chapter 13 - is the best: DO WHAT YOU WERE CREATED TO DO! That is your power; you will never succeed by doing something you don't like or that you were not meant to do. Only do such work (other work) as a mean to get to what you want to do!
Lastly, I liked the fact that this book did not have a list of jobs that you can do, but simply invites the reader to discover itself and their aptitudes and gift in order to create their riches, not to compete with someone else's dream.
Even though this book was written over 100 years ago it is a book with principles that can be applied today because it is not about getting into one facet of the job market that one can use to become wealthy, but about finding out our individual journey first, helping and wanting good things for others and achieving the blessings that come from the discovery of oneself as God made them.
1) Get a vision, and focus on it by eliminating all distractions and negativity which will only fog the vision.
2) Stick with the plan even if the circumstances dictate the opposite
3) Have an attitude of gratitude. Thank God always this vision He gave you will become reality!
His point is that God created us all unique and with equal opportunities to enjoy His blessings - which include wealthiness, but that many think of it the wrong way. If making money is the objective of life that is the wrong objective just as it is wrong to strive to get rich for the wrong reasons. Becoming wealthy is not about overpowering others in thought or in means, but having the attitude that "What I want for myself, I want for everybody".
As for opportunities - chapter 13 - is the best: DO WHAT YOU WERE CREATED TO DO! That is your power; you will never succeed by doing something you don't like or that you were not meant to do. Only do such work (other work) as a mean to get to what you want to do!
Lastly, I liked the fact that this book did not have a list of jobs that you can do, but simply invites the reader to discover itself and their aptitudes and gift in order to create their riches, not to compete with someone else's dream.
Even though this book was written over 100 years ago it is a book with principles that can be applied today because it is not about getting into one facet of the job market that one can use to become wealthy, but about finding out our individual journey first, helping and wanting good things for others and achieving the blessings that come from the discovery of oneself as God made them.
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Jul 19, 2013 10:42AM
Super-excellent review!
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Ibrahim wrote: "Super-excellent review!"Thanks Ibrahim!
Great Review; honestly, it was excellent. I have a question, hopefully you can shed some light my concerns. First off, i have read the book 20 times, and i find it to be extremely helpful I have leaned 5+ lessons which have changed my life, but some of the points that he makes are definitely, in my opinion, against Gods teaching. is it ok for us to read books that have some truth, and some serious doctrinal issues? I would love your opinion on this Also, please read this review from another believer:
Wallace D. Wattles: Unsaved Modernist
Since Miss Byrne has based her entire work largely upon Wattles' book, and claims that she discovered “The Secret” within its pages –- It is critically important that we take a closer look at the book upon which she places so much emphasis. Here is a free online edition of the book, “THE SCIENCE OF GETTING RICH,” by Wallace Delois Wattles (1860-1911)…
http://www.universallawstoday.com/ebo...
Wattles Taught that God Wants Everyone to Be Financially Wealthy
Throughout the book, Mr. Wattles perverts the Scriptures to teach that God intended for all of us to be filthy rich. In chapter 5, Increasing Life, Wattles foolishly states:
“It is the desire of God that you should get rich. He wants you to get rich because he can express himself better through you if you have plenty of things to use in giving him expression. He can live more in you if you have unlimited command of the means of life… The universe desires you to have everything you want to have…
You want to get rich in order that you may eat, drink, and be merry when it is time to do these things; in order that you may surround yourself with beautiful things, see distant lands, feed your mind, and develop your intellect”
SOURCE: The Science of Getting Rich, chapter 5, by Wallace D. Wattles.
In sharp contrast, the Bible condemns the desire to be rich…
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things…” (1st Timothy6:8-11).
In fact, the Bible teaches that more POOR people will enter into Heaven than RICH people…
“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24)
“…Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5).
Mr. Wattles fails to speak of the reality of hellfire in his book, and the fact that all Christ-rejecters will burn there FOREVER (2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 20:11-15). I am reminded of the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ…
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
In view of such overwhelming Biblical evidence, only a fool would dare claim that God wants everyone to be rich. Riches are a road to Hellfire, as we read in Matthew 19:24... “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” There is nothing in the Bible which teaches that God wants ANYONE to be financially wealth in this earthly life. The only means to wealth which the Bible endorses is good old-fashioned hard work and capitalism.
Wattles really goes out into left field when he states:
“The desire you feel for riches is the infinite, seeking to express Himself in you…”
SOURCE: The Science of Getting Rich, chapter 6, by Wallace D. Wattles.
Whoa! How absurd! Whereas 1st Timothy 6:10 condemns the desire to be rich, Mr. Wattles teaches that it is God working in us Who causes us to desire to be financially rich. Blasphemy!
Wattles Taught Not to Sacrifice for Others
Wattles selfishly goes on to state:
"Get rid of the idea that God wants you to sacrifice yourself for others, and that you can secure his favor by doing so; God requires nothing of the kind.”
SOURCE: The Science of Getting Rich, chapter 5, by Wallace D. Wattles.
I this what the Bible teaches? In sharp contrast, 1st John 3:16 states, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Galatians 6:2 states, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." We ought to "lay down our lives" for fellow Christians. Nearly every one of the Apostles were martyred for preaching the Gospel. The Christian life is all about sacrificing for others.
Wattles' Demonic New Age Philosophy
In the concluding chapter, titled, Summary of the Science of Getting Rich, Mr. Wattles again foolishly states:
“THERE is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe…A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought… Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance can cause the thing he thinks about to be created…
The man who wishes to get rich must spend his leisure hours in contemplating his vision, and in earnest thanksgiving that the reality is being given to him… The created energy works through the established channels of natural growth, and of the industrial and social order. All that is included in his mental image will surely be brought to the man who follows the instructions given above…”
SOURCE: The Science of Getting Rich, chapter 17, by Wallace D. Wattles.
Mr. Wattles is a New Ager. The idea of "thinking stuff from which all things are made" is 100% New Age doctrine.
In chapter 6, How Riches Come To You, Mr. Wattles evidences his New Age philosophies:
“God, the One Substance, is trying to live and do and enjoy things through humanity…
SOURCE: The Science of Getting Rich, chapter 6, by Wallace D. Wattles.
"God, the One Substance"? What kind of weird idea is that? God is NOT a substance! God is a Person (Genesis 35:9, "And God appeared unto Jacob..."). Jesus came to earth, in the flesh, as the manifestation of the Godhead (1st Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9; John 10:33).
Wattles Taught that the World is Becoming Wonderful and is Not of the Devil
If that’s not bad enough, listen to what the fruitcake has to say in chapter 10, Further use Of The Will…
“Do not read religious books which tell you that the world is soon coming to an end; and do not read the writing of muck-rakers and pessimistic philosophers who tell you that it is going to the devil. The world is not going to the devil; it is going to God. It is wonderful becoming.”
SOURCE: The Science of Getting Rich, chapter 10, by Wallace D. Wattles.
In sharp contrast, 1st John 5:19 states:
“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
2nd Timothy 3:1 and 13 state:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come… evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
Does this sound like a world that is wonderful becoming? The Bible teaches that “God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). It is man’s greed, lust, and love of money that destroys him. There is nothing “wonderful” about this sin-cursed world in which we live — where thousands of children die every day from starvation, and men needlessly kill one another in war over oil, and laws are passed to legalize homosexual marriages. New Age teaches that the world is getting better, and that mankind has the inherent potential to become as gods through enlightenment. Of course, the Bible condemns such heresy. Mankind is inherently sinful and prone to destruction (Romans 3:10,19-23).
As a Christian and one who has read this book a few years ago, you cleared up some of the issues/discomfort I had reading it then. I thought Wattles was on to something--I just didn't know what. Thank you.
Phil wrote: "Great Review; honestly, it was excellent. I have a question, hopefully you can shed some light my concerns. First off, i have read the book 20 times, and i find it to be extremely helpful I have l..."Phil wrote: "Great Review; honestly, it was excellent. I have a question, hopefully you can shed some light my concerns. First off, i have read the book 20 times, and i find it to be extremely helpful I have l..."
Hello Phil,
Sorry for my delated response, I meant to do this sooner. Thank you for your feedback!
I will give you my opinion:
I think that we should read some (not all) literature pertaining to the subjects of interest and the material that makes us grow. Certainly, many books include non-doctrinal points or distortions of the Truth, but not for that reason, I think, we should stop reading material outside the bible. On the contrary, each time we read something about our faith or outside of it, our faith and understanding of our beliefs are tested and each confrontation makes us grow. Although, the key is to read material with a critical eye. What I think matters is that we know the Truth, and once we know the Truth, we also automatically recognize a lie.
As for wealth, I believe that God wants as all to be successful and wealthy. Of course, God is a Father, how could He not wish the best for His children? The mistake we make is that we think that wealthiness is the point - that is a lie, my friend! The point is to love God with all we have, and once that is our focus, it does not matter what our goals are, because we will be led to have goals that align with what God has prepared for us.
In the old testament we see numerous examples of men of God who dwelled in wealth, is that sinful? No! They knew who gave them wealth, and they did not make wealth their life, they made God their life. In other words, for as long as we keep our priorities and heart straight, there is nothing wrong with accumulating wealth. We are called to multiply what God gives us, right? (The parable of the talents) - My issue is that even Christians sometimes focus on accumulating debt, and that is sinful.
Phil - I wish you all the blessings that God has prepared for you. May you be richly blessed in all you are trying to accomplish and all your endeavors.
Fed
Nadine wrote: "As a Christian and one who has read this book a few years ago, you cleared up some of the issues/discomfort I had reading it then. I thought Wattles was on to something--I just didn't know what. Th..."Hello Nadine,
Thank you for your feedback. Sending you many blessings :)
