Is there really Greener Grass?

When you're living the American dream, you're always reaching high for bigger and greener pastures. This, however, leads to a life of always looking to the next thing, always wanting something bigger and better.  Life is spent playing the "if only" game. If only you have something nicer, newer, and different you'd be happier. This game of "if only" is at the heart of a conspiracy. Stephen Altrogge believes that American Christians are falling prey to the Greener Grass Conspiracy. Our enemy is tempting some the richest Christians on earth to be richer.

At the heart of the Greener Grass Conspiracy is discontentment. It seems that the people in this world who have the most are the least content with what they have. But why are we discontent? Altrogge writes the Greener Grass Conspiracy to remind us what why we should really be content. God gives us what we need to survive. God also gives what we really need in life: salvation. Altrogge reminds us that God has given us the greatest gift and we should be extremely anything beyond that. The message of this book is the same as Paul's message in Philippians 4: the secret to being content is have Jesus Christ in your life because he will always give us what we need and he is giving us eternal life.

This book is an easy read with a great message. I would encourage you to read it if you are always feeling like you want more. I think, however, this book is really missing the call to take what you do have more than you need and use it for the good of others. It's there, but it's not really the focus. If you are struggling with wanting more and not having enough, this book is a great reminder of what God has done for you, but once you've read this book, you need to remember that the step after contentment is generosity. If you've taken Dave Ramsey's FPU, you should remember what the last lesson is. Dave Ramsey teaches how to live like no one else so that you can give like no one else. When you have learned to be content with what God has given you its not hard to take the next step and be generous with what God has blessed you with.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from Crossway for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”