Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity by Adam Hamilton

Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity Reviews

• 
  Quirkyreader

  This book is a good introduction for those who haven’t taken the foray into voluntary simplicity.
  
  It is also very faith based and focuses on scripture mostly from the Gospels, Paul’s letters, Proverbs, and Psalms.
• 
  Sadie

  I enjoyed parts of Adam Hamilton's book but a lot of it was just a repetition of what Dave Ramsey says. I also continue to struggle when reading these kind of books because the people who write them are among the most privileged in our society. In one part Hamilton speaks about contentment and that the key to doing this is to say, "It could be worse".
  
  While this is true for him, (who struggles in the book about buying an ipod) I have a hard time taking some of this advice from among the most wealthy and privileged.(Which probably isn't totally fair...)
  
  I do really like Adam Hamilton and the work that he does, I just had a hard time with him and this particular topic, but for certain segments of the population this is a great book to re-look at ones priorities. I'll probably use pieces of this book for a sermon at some point.
• 
  Robyn Brown

  The world tells us to always be unsatisfied with what we have, to look upon what our neighbors have with envy, to spend now and pay later and that whomever dies with the most toys wins. Ironically, this only leads to greater stress and anxiety. Hamilton reminds us that we are here on earth for a greater purpose - to serve - and that living simply and with gratitude can lead to joy. He offers biblical wisdom for getting our financial habits back on track. My favorite learning: We should be content with what we have and what God has blessed us with. Hebrews 13:5-6 "Keep your lives free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you. So, we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid.'
  
  This book will definitely change your relationship with money.
• 
  Michelle Hart

  Simple and very quick read, nothing new of note. A refresher, if you will.
• 
  Gloria

  While this is a topic I enjoy exploring, readers would be better off reading financial advice from Dave Ramsey (Total Money Makeover) and there is a plethora of other authors writing about simple living advice. This was just too much of a rehash of what others have said with not enough take-aways. Take a pass.
• 
  Gail

  This was just an ok read for me. I felt the target audience was pretty narrow and most of the advice was rather run of the mill.
• 
  Cathy

  I already am doing most of what was advised. It seemed repetitious.
• 
  Chris Miller

  Excellent Christian perspective on minimalism
• 
  Richard Fitzgerald

  I am generally not an Adam Hamilton fan. I think his books are often overrated and shallow and his theology around the inspiration of scripture has devolved into actual heresy. However, this book is refreshing. The financial suggestions in the book are simple and even simplistic. But, the focus is on the spiritual underpinings of a wholesome relationship with money and physical assets. This focus is the only real solution of the dissoluteness of our society’s greed. I highly recommend this book for its spiritual focus on a pervasive problem.
• 
  Joy

  I was hoping for more inspiration to live simply and less talk about finances. He went on and on about saving and tithing. I typically write a ton of notes, but my only notes for this one were how ridiculous some of his examples were and the one exciting note about "investing" in your faith. I wanted more inspiration on living simply with time, possessions, and faith; and less of a millionaire telling me to tithe and have an emergency savings.
• 
  Kelsey Grissom

  This is one of Adam Hamilton’s better books. It’s a basic primer on Christian giving, gratitude, and financial health. Very strong emphasis on tithing. As is typical of Hamilton, there is nothing that pushes the envelope in this book (no questioning at all of capitalism or the rich getting richer, etc.), so I’d recommend pairing it with some Christian economic ethics for a deeper perspective.
• 
  pianogal

  Having read Dave Ramsey, the financial aspects of this book were not new. However, I really enjoyed the chapter on giving. The author has a great voice that I enjoy reading and I look forward to reading some of his other materials.
• 
  Terri Milstead

  Very short even with a chapter added after the original publishing date. Nothing profound or anything that isn’t something already known BUT sometimes we need to hear things to nudge us toward healthy change. I will be tweaking an area or two further in my life for sure.
• 
  Becky Mentzer

  My small group studied this and our last two chapters coincided with Stewardship season. An excellent reminder that we won't be happier necessarily with more money or more stuff, but with more generosity and contentment.
• 
  Diane

  A simple and graciously-written book on a topic (Stewardship and Financial Giving) that often is legalistic and judgment-laden.
• 
  Delynn

  I read parts of the book and watched the video series as well as read the Leader’s Guide. It’s informative but not one of my favorites by Hamilton
• 
  Lori Roeleveld

  Just the perspective I needed.
  
  Learning contentment and practicing generosity are now two chief goals for my life. Adam provides motivation and inspiration for this.
• 
  Tara

  Love this book, excellent study for groups at church.
• 
  Linda

  Good primer for discovering ones values. Your Money or Your life expands on the “how to’s”in much more detail, tho.
• 
  Pixismiler

  Where are my half stars? 3.5 There’s nothing inherently wrong with this book. It’s just not anything that I hadn’t heard before.
• 
  pat morgan

  Enough is enough. I’ll be forever grateful to Adam Hamilton for suggesting that I shouldn’t go to the grocery store when I’m hungry.
• 
  Aeren

  In this book there are Six Financial Planning Principals that Hamilton has condensed from many sources:
  1. Pay your tithe and offering first. (Put God first in your living and your giving)
  Create a budget and track your expenses.(If you don't plan on where you want to spend it you won't know where it's all gone either)
  2. Simplify your lifestyle. (Live below your means)
  3. Establish an emergency fund. (Work towards saving up to three months of salary)
  4. Pay off your credit cards, use cash/debit cards for purchases and use credit wisely. (He mentions that there are several ways to do this, pay off the larger interest cards first and min payments on the other or if you need that psychological lift, pay off the little cards and then tackle the big ones).
  5. Practice long-term savings and investing habits. (The three types of savings he covers are 1) emergency funds, 2) savings for goals and wants and 3) savings for retirement.)
  
  Most of the things Hamilton is talking about, I am already doing, although not exactly as he has outlined them. Nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to reflect on spending habits and reevaluate goals. Personally, while I agree with Hamilton's six principals as essential to healthy financial independence. Healthy is not just a distribution of funds it is also incorporating a spiritual component as you are determining how to spend your earning. I am, however, not convinced Hamilton's sequence of financial planning is correct. My main issue is that he recommends creating a budget as the #2 item on his list, but in my mind you can't do #1 until you know what you have (How much money you earn.) and where it went (How you spent it.). Knowing your spending trends will help you figure what behaviors you need to change. Once you set up the budget you may find that your issue is not consuming, some people are money hoarders which usually comes from a fear of scarcity. You may think one thing and the reality is the other, but without an in-depth assessment of your income and spending you can't begin to answer the question "How much is enough?"
• 
  Craig Toth

  Pastor Adam Hamilton writes to teach people how to move away from the commonly-practiced idea of the "American Dream" to a "simpler" way of living. The message and methods of this book are not complicated: If only people would learn to live on less, save more, and give more generously to others! What Hamilton calls for is nothing less than counter-cultural behavior, and is therefore very difficult for people to do on an individual level and to maintain over long periods of time. Think about it: When most Christians begin to earn more money, they think it is perfectly OK to ratchet up their "standard of living." I think every Christian in America should read this book and also the book The Two Income Trap (see my review), which gives another angle on the economics of our lives.
• 
  Zjay

  Benjamin Franklin said: "Contentment makes poor men rich, but discontentment makes rich men poor." This short book contains useful information for those of us deeply infected with affluenza. I liked the chapter on "Cultivating Contentment" best. Hamilton offers four keys to help you do that. He also lists five steps to simplify your life. The last chapter argues that we should define ourselves as givers, not consumers.