Guest Author - Diana Pederson

8 Steps to Create the Life You Want begins with the philosophy that once you change your thought patterns, you will change your life. This sounds okay, so far, but I am skeptical that this may be another book claiming that Christians are to be wealthy and healthy with few or no problems in our Christian walk. Therefore, I am cautiously approaching this book.

I was relieved when I found a chapter titled, “The Word—God’s Manual for Life”. However, I do know that many pastors pick out the words in God’s Manual that they choose to believe. They don’t concern themselves with warnings that Christians will have a difficult life. Unfortunately, in the closing to this chapter, Dr. Dollar states:

God’s Word provides the building blocks for everything we desire, but it is our responsibility to use what He has given us. A close relationship with Him, developed through the study and application of His Word, is often the missing element. Some people find it hard to believe that they can positively afffect the situations in their lives by reading and quoting Scriptures. However, the truth is, it works@ I’ve seen it work time and time again, in my own life. … If you’ve struggled to achieve your goals or if you’ve experienced a setback that you’re still trying to overcome, you don’t have to suffer any longer. Many believers deny themselves the good life that has already been reserved and freely given to them by God. He doesn’t want you to struggle. He wants you to be completely sufficient in everything and lacking nothing.

It appears that Dr. Dollar believes we are to have everything good and not suffer. This doesn’t match the Scriptures I’ve read that say just the opposite. Yes, we are to have life abundantly, but even abundant life can bring its share of suffering. Romans 5:3 reminds us: Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (New International Version) ...

I struggled to give this book a real chance to convince me that the author was rightly dividing the Word of God. Then, in the chapter titled, “Meditation is Key to Renewing Your Mind”, I read a list of 7 benefits resulting from renewing my mind. Dollar's 5th benefit states:

5. You refuse to live in poverty.

God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servants (Psalm 35:27). A born-again Christian should never be broke, because God doesn’t want His children to suffer or be in lack. Renewing your mind to your covenant right to wealth is a key to your breakthrough in this area.

I quit reading the book at this point. I fail to find any “covenant right to wealth” mentioned in the New Testament. Christ NEVER promised us wealth. Dr. Dollar has missed an important “fact” of the promises to an abundant life. Christ was talking spiritually. We were never promised wealth and treasures ON EARTH. The promises are for Heaven. We're even warned against keeping our treasures on earth because they can be destroyed. We are to keep our treasure in Heaven.

Recommendation

It is rare for me to give a negative review but this book appears to ignore part of the World of God. Christ never promised us material wealth – he even gave a parable that has the subtle warning that wealth may cause us to miss Heaven completely (Parable of the rich man). We are to commit our body, soul and mind to Christ and to believe all that Scripture has to say. If you believe as I do, you won’t be interested in reading this book. However, if you would like to believe otherwise, feel free to pick it up and read it for yourself.




Dr. Creflo A. Dollar. 8 Steps to Create the Life You Want. Faith Words. 2008.