Money, Sex and Power

Richard Foster's Money, Sex and Power emerged from his observation that Christian spiritual formation literature had largely avoided the three forces that most powerfully shape human behavior and corrupt spiritual life. Writing in 1985 as a follow-up to his influential Celebration of Discipline, Foster recognized that traditional devotional practices meant little if believers remained enslaved to materialism, sexual dysfunction, and the abuse of power. He saw these as the "three great temptations" that had derailed spiritual progress throughout church history and continued to devastate contemporary Christian communities.

Foster argues that money, sex, and power are not inherently evil but are good gifts from God that have been perverted by human fallenness. Rather than advocating withdrawal from these realities, he calls Christians to experience them through what he terms "the liberating power of the gospel." He demonstrates how Jesus modeled a revolutionary relationship with wealth through simplicity and generosity, how sexuality finds its proper expression within covenant love, and how power should be exercised as service rather than domination. Foster weaves together biblical exegesis, historical examples from Christian tradition, and practical guidance, showing how spiritual disciplines can transform believers' relationships with these fundamental human drives. His approach is neither legalistic nor permissive but seeks what he calls "the narrow way" that leads to freedom.

The book has remained influential because Foster addressed topics that many spiritual writers still avoid, doing so with both theological depth and pastoral sensitivity. His integration of personal spirituality with social ethics helped shape a generation of Christian leaders who recognized that authentic discipleship must engage the material world rather than escape from it. Who should read this: Christians seeking to understand how their spiritual life connects to their relationship with money, sexuality, and authority, particularly those in leadership positions who wield influence over others. This work is not suitable for readers looking for simple rules or those uncomfortable with honest discussion of human sexuality.