History

Famous Quotes from Famous People

The world asks, “What does a man own?”; Christ asks, “How does he use it?”

Andrew Murray

(1828–1917) S. African minister, church leader, writer

“The fellow that has no money is poor.
The fellow that has nothing but money is poorer still.”

Billy Sunday

(1862–1935) American Revivalist

The cartoons in this section and on our cover are the work of the Christian cartoonist E. J. Pace (1880–1946). A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Pace became the cartoonist for The Sunday School Times in 1916 and contributed more than 1,500 cartoons to that publication. He was also a popular Bible teacher and, for several years, directed the missions course at Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute under Dr. James M. Gray (referred to in the article Businessman’s Religion). Pace’s cartoons were reproduced in numerous publications and, translated into various languages, were popular teaching vehicles for missionaries.

“If anyone does not refrain from the love of money, he will be defiled by idolatry and so be judged as if he were one of the heathen.

Polycarp

(70?–156?) Bishop of Smyrna

“If a thief helps a poor man out of the spoils of his thieving, we must not call that charity.”

Dante Alighieri

(1265–1321) Italian Poet

“No stigma attaches to the love of money in America, and provided it does not exceed the bounds imposed by public order, it is held in honor. The American will describe as noble and estimable ambition that our medieval ancestors would have called base cupidity.”

Alexis de Tocqueville

(1805–1859) French politician, writer

“Do not give, as many rich men do, like a hen that lays her eggs …and then cackles.”

Henry Ward Beecher

(1813–1887) 19th-century American preacher

“Where money is an idol, to be poor is a sin.”

William Stringfellow

Episcopal layman, writer

“As a rule, prayer is answered and funds come in, but if we are kept waiting, the spiritual blessing that is the outcome is far mar precious than exemption from the trial.”

J. Hudson Taylor

(1832–1905) English Missionary to China

Founder, China Inland Mission

“My life could be over in March…because we’re not into agreement to bind Satan’s power and loose the money that God says belongs to us for our needs to be met.”

Oral Roberts

contemporary American evangelist

Copyright © 1988 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine. Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

Our Latest

My Top 5 Books on Christianity in South Asia

Compiled by Nathanael Somanathan

Wisdom on staying faithful in ministry and navigating multireligious realities in India, Sri Lanka, and beyond.

News

Top Women’s Cricket Player Trolled for Her Christian Faith

Vikram Mukka

Christian public figures in India face online attacks and offline consequences for speaking about Jesus.

The Russell Moore Show

Our Favorite Moments from 2025 Episodes

Russell and Leslie meander through the 2025 podcast episodes and share some of their favorite moments.

The Case Against VIP Tickets at Christian Conferences

Jazer Willis

Exclusive perks may be well-intended business decisions, but Christian gatherings shouldn’t reinforce economic hierarchy.

The Bulletin

Pete Hegseth’s Future, Farmers on Tariffs, and Religious Decline Stalls

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Hegseth scrutinized for drug boat strikes, farmers react to Trump’s tariffs, and a Pew report says religious decline has slowed.

The Debate over Government Overreach Started in 1776

Three books to read this month on politics and public life.

Turn Toward Each Other and Away from the Screen

Perhaps technology has changed everything. But God is still here, still wiring humans for connection and presence.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube