Foreword
"One of the most influential books of all time in pointing the way to personal achievement—to financial independence and to riches of the spirit
beyond measurement in money."
The Bible remains number one in my view. Certainly, the accumulated wisdom of mankind, from creation to present, compares to God's wisdom—at best—as a single proton compares to all of creation (Psalm 8:3-4).
Over 100 million copies purchased by those seeking hope, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill remains the all-time best selling book in the field of motivation and personal achievement. During an encountering, Andrew Carnegie challenges twenty-five year old Napoleon to devote the next twenty years "to organize the world's first philosophy of personal achievement." Comparatively, the time of earning an academic graduate degree at Dallas Theological Seminary, or any other institution, becomes minimal.
Similarly, General George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) invested twenty years studying past battles and wars prior to World War Two. Carnegie's challenge, along with Patton's and Ike's example, illustrate the necessity of persistent diligent study of any subject, including the Bible, that one desires communicating to the world.
Do we accept the responsibility of spreading Christocentric (Christ-centered) eschatology with the same degree of intensity?
During these twenty years, Mr. Hill interviews America's greatest achievers such as Henry Ford, Thomas A. Edison, John Wanamaker, William Jennings Bryan, J. Odgen Armour, Theodore Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller, Frank Vanderlip, Dr. Alexander Bell, Stuart Austin Weir of Dallas, William Wrigley Jr., Charles Schwab, and numerous other highly successful people.
He interviewed them to inquire of their success, finding high correlation of attributes among all encountered. He transformed the compilation of success principles into the book, Think and Grow Rich.
Napoleon Hill first published an unedited copy of the book in 1937, followed by an edited copy in 1960. Over one-hundred million readers have searched for hope between the two-hundred-fifty-four pages of manuscript separating the front and back covers. He continued his career speaking and writing about success principles.
Similarly, General George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower (Ike) invested twenty years studying past battles and wars prior to World War Two. Carnegie's challenge, along with Patton's and Ike's example, illustrate the necessity of persistent diligent study of any subject, including the Bible, that one desires communicating to the world.
Do we accept the responsibility of spreading Christocentric (Christ-centered) eschatology with the same degree of intensity?
During these twenty years, Mr. Hill interviews America's greatest achievers such as Henry Ford, Thomas A. Edison, John Wanamaker, William Jennings Bryan, J. Odgen Armour, Theodore Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller, Frank Vanderlip, Dr. Alexander Bell, Stuart Austin Weir of Dallas, William Wrigley Jr., Charles Schwab, and numerous other highly successful people.
He interviewed them to inquire of their success, finding high correlation of attributes among all encountered. He transformed the compilation of success principles into the book, Think and Grow Rich.
Napoleon Hill first published an unedited copy of the book in 1937, followed by an edited copy in 1960. Over one-hundred million readers have searched for hope between the two-hundred-fifty-four pages of manuscript separating the front and back covers. He continued his career speaking and writing about success principles.
Introduction
I have read this book approximately one hundred times in the past twenty plus years since earning my undergraduate degree at Kansas State University. The stories provide excellent examples of applied principles, and provide recognition of principles I applied in achieving success before reading the book.
Think and Grow Rich, along with the Bible, received high recommendations from a plethora of Christian businessmen and women at Christocentric business conventions. Nearly all of the book's principles correlate with Biblical principles. Unfortunately, "Infinite Intelligence" provides the only reference to God.
While Infinite Intelligence receives credit for ideas to the subconscious mind, Hill presents success as primarily anthropocentric (man-centered). The key resides in discernment, and remaining Christ-centered while studying and applying the principles.
Wisdom insists on our continually calibrating our heart, mind and soul on the word of God along with the conviction and guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Does this remain true of all principles and engagements we encounter in this world? Absolutely!
"In it you will find the magic of self-direction, organized planning, auto-suggestion, master-mind association, an amazingly revealing system of self-analysis, detailed plans for selling your personal services and a wealth of other specific examples helps from the experience of great men who have proved their value.
"The riches within your grasp cannot always be measured in money."
"The riches within your grasp cannot always be measured in money."
The publisher continues in listing riches of friendships along with business and personal relationships.
The book speaks of the secret, specifically left unnamed, yet alluded to in every chapter. Thousands of people in nearly all genres of life have tested the secret in practical, day to day, methods with success.
Bob Proctor created a movie titled The Secret, as well as offering weeklong self-help programs for $15,000--$20,000 based on The Secret in Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich. Success guru Jack Canfield also has a program called The Secret in which he speaks of the "Law of Attraction," a topic in Think and Grow Rich.
Many in the motivational field allude to The Secret, drawing people who seek hope, believing this will enhance the end of every day, week, month, year and their life.
Sadly, none of these gurus recognize, or at least acknowledge The Secret of eschatological, eternal life in the death, resurrection, and forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ (Jn 3:16-18, 3:10,11,12,13,14-15,16,17,18,19,20,21). Nor do they acknowledge the Christian's eternal, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as the greatest present and eschatological prosperity and hope.
The author illustrates the amazing success of others, suggesting the possibility of high success for anyone, "provided you know what it is you want."
My high school coach, Bill "Congo" Congleton, continually reminded us, "Don't be afraid to be great, as it all comes down to whom wants it the most."
Prudence mandates context, Congo understood, as well as anyone, the variance of abilities between individuals. His statement rested on the foundation of two teams or people with similar abilities. The one who exerted more effort, most often wins in head to head competition.
Dr. Lanier Burns frequently reminds his students that prudence mandates context in understanding statements. Whether we seek to attack or understand those with whom we communicate in spreading Christocentric eschatological hope affects significant short and long-term impacts of our message.
Four Initial Questions In Response to Mr. Hill...
Due to popular AND high demand, Think and Grow Rich vs The Bible and The Holy Spirit's Guidance in Business and Life the entire biblical comparison will be available for purchase in ebook by September 1, 2016. Enjoy an Elite Special discount when you purchase both Ebooks.
Due to popular AND high demand, Think and Grow Rich vs The Bible and The Holy Spirit's Guidance in Business and Life the entire biblical comparison will be available for purchase in ebook by September 1, 2016. Enjoy an Elite Special discount when you purchase both Ebooks.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
(Hill 1960, Publisher Preface)
2 (Napoleon Hill Foundation n.d.)
3 (Hill 1960, Publisher's Preface)
4 (Hill 1960, 13)
5 (Canfield n.d.)
6 (Hill 1960, 14)
An assignment for Eschatology at Dallas Theological Seminary (Spring Semester 2013)
