The Autobiography of George Muller

In a recent post I talked about the finance class I was taking based on the book titled The Road Map to Financial Security.  I spoke of three differences in the way the general population approach finances and what the Biblical view of finances speaks of.  I further mentioned that the Zeb Igeleke's book is an excellent financial basics book.

Today I would like to introduce the next level of Biblical finances and the book titled The Autobiography of George Mueller.  I know that those who have already read it are reminded that this may be one of the BEST books they have ever read and it very well may change the lives of the readers.  This book is not merely about money, it is about God, faith, conversion, and what can be done by a persons life who is surrendered wholly to God.

Does God care about our money?  Does He care about us having provision?  When we pray "Give us this day our daily bread..." are we speaking to the wind or is God listening and waiting to answer our prayers?  Is God involved with our daily lives or are we to just wait until the end time judgement and hope that we have understood and done what He wanted?

George Mueller had this to say on the subject:

"I know that the Word of God ought to be enough.  But by giving my brothers visible proof of the unchangeable faithfulness of the Lord, I might strenghten their faith.  I want to be the servant of the Church in the particular point on which I had obtained mercy--in being able to take God at His word and to rely on it.

This seems to me best done by establishing an orphan house--something which could be seen by the natural eye.  If I, a poor man, simply by prayer and faith obtained, without asking any individual, the finances for establishing and carrying on an orphan house, this might strengthen the faith of the children of god.  It would also be a testimony to the unconverted of the reality of the things of God.

This is the primary reason for establishing the orphan house.  I certainly desire to be used by God to help the poor children and train them in the ways of God.  but the primary object of the work is that God would be magnified because the orphans under my care will be provided with all they need through prayer and faith.  Everyone will see that God is faithful and hears prayer."

At the time of his life when this undertaking was made George Mueller had already lived his personal life in this manner and was now going to take it to the next level, that of providing food, clothing, and shelter for orphans without every speaking the needs out loud or directly asking for money.

His autobiography flys in the face of all the modern name it and claim it doctrines that have now overrun the church and have been an object of scorn, disgust, and sometimes envy to those who only know about the Bible and what it says through the people they meet who claim to be Christians.

The book is George Mueller's diary.  He speaks of his conversion, joys, fears, failures, doubts, and God's triumphs.  Thoughout the reading one cannot but be amazed at the fraility and yet the overwhelming power that flows though this man who spent hours a day in reading the Bible and prayer.  Those who may have rejected the church and Chistianity may reconsider, those who are "Sunday Christians" may be ashamed, and those who pour out their all will be challenged to dig deeper and pour out more realizing we have so far to go.  It would be almost impossible to read this book and remain the same.

Who then is he?  When did he live?  Why haven't we all heard of him for his impact is right up there with mother Theresa.  Did he receive the noble peace prize?  I'll leave the answers to those questions to the reader.