Book Review: Keys to Financial Excellence by Phil Pringle

In his book “Keys to Financial Excellence” by Phil Pringle, he provides us with clear insights on 52 keys to financial excellence and group them under the following 8 categories, namely:

A. Foundations of Abundant Living
B. Principles of Prosperity
C. Principles of Tithing
D. The Laws of Harvest Living
E. Principles of Productivity
F. Reasons to Give Sacrificial Offerings to God
G. Living in God’s Economy
H. Releasing Blessings to Others

Pastor Phil writes from a background of wide experience. As sourced from his blog, he is “the Founder and President of C3 Church International, a global movement of over 240 churches, and the Senior Minister of C3 Church in Sydney Australia. Phil and his wife, Christine, started C3 Church in 1980 and it is now one of the fastest growing, exciting and powerful churches in Australia. An entire global movement of vibrant churches has been birthed as a result of Phil’s leadership and vision as he maintains an uncompromised passion to see cities changed by a contemporary, relevant and anointed church. Phil’s dynamic and relevant preaching has made him a much sought after speaker in both Christian and secular contexts, particularly in the areas of faith, leadership, ministry of the Holy Spirit, church building and kingdom principles of finance and giving.”

In the Foreword of this book, Dr. Dick Bernal, Senior Minister of Jubliee Christian Center in San Jose, California, wrote: “Thank God there are some preachers like Phil Pringle who are prepared to step boldly and unapologetically into the fullness of what the Word of God has to say about money, prosperity, and the power of giving. His revelation of the abundance of God and how that is released through a willingness to give generously to God has become a hallmark of his increasingly influential ministry.”

The book is easy to read and unfolds like a personal sharing by the author with its readers; nothing preachy. There are waves after waves of biblical resources, anecdotes, stories and fresh insights shared generously across the pages of this authoritative guide.  

I have obtained much fresh manna through the revelation knowledge imparted through this book. For example, just when I thought I have learnt all there is to know concerning Malachi 3:10, this book taught me some more.

Consider, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house..”. All along I have thought that this meant the fulltime staff of the church would be taken care of financially as in “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."

But, there is more, as Pastor Phil explains, “Sometimes, when I’m visiting other churches, people tell me they are going to leave because the pastor doesn’t “bring the food of the Word.” I find that, all too often, the problem is simply that these people have ceased tithing. Perhaps someone told them they didn’t think the church was spending its money properly. Maybe they didn’t like the spending levels shown in the church’s annual report. Or possibly they had been experiencing problems with their own cash flow and decided to stop tithing until things improved. Gradually, however, they feel a decrease of spiritual food coming to them in the church.”

Also, consider, “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:11; NKJV) My takeaway on this is that “Success is not just dependent on the brilliance of the plan or the idea, but on being right with God. This leads to His blessing on all that we do.” And, “When Jesus rebukes something it is gone!” This was a biggie for me as Pastor Phil recounted how: Jesus rebuked the wind, and it ceased. (Mark 4:39); Jesus rebuked the demon of deafness, and it left the boy (Mark 9:25); Jesus rebuked a self-destructive spirit out of a boy, and it left him. (Matthew 17:18); Jesus rebuked an unclean spirit out of a person in the synagogue, and it left him. (Mark 1:25); and Jesus rebuked the fever in Peter’s mother-in-law, and it left her. (Luke 4:39)

Then, there are memorable stories such as ERIC STORM TELLS HOW TO BE A MILLIONAIRE: “YOU JUST GIVE IT AWAY” by Peter Lalor (page 47) and “THE COOKIE THIEF” by Valerie Cox (page 8).

This book is worth a re-read for me. Thank you, Pastor Phil for your generous feeding. I have been well fed!