Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations (2016) by Dan Ariely, Book Review

Dan Ariely is one of my favorite authors and speakers on behavioral economics, namely, someone who studies the combination of economics and psychology to understand how people decide and why they behave the way they do. I’m an observer. I love to predict people’s behavior and so, this is a fascinating subject to me. I’ve read Predictably Irrational and listened to The Upside of Irrationality and (Dis)Honesty audiobooks - I recommend it all. This short book (just 103 pages) is part of the TED Books series which is a compliment and extension of Ariely’s TED Talks on this subject.

“Human motivation is not simple,” writes Ariely, “but as we understand it more, we’ll better be able to handle ourselves, our work, our relationships, our employers, and our employees. Knowing what drives us and others is an essential step toward enhancing the inherent joy - and minimizing confusion - in our lives.” Every day we try to motivate ourselves. How to create meaning in my current work now? Why I should or shouldn’t quit? What is my end goal? If you’re in the people business or any kind of relationship, surely you spend lots of time trying to motivate others too. How to makes this partnership works? Why does this or that person enjoy life more than others? What are the determining factors of our organization's productivity? These questions and more - if you care enough - are part of our everyday life. As the author puts it: “We are all part-time motivators.” But the problem is that motivations for each person are complex, variant, and subjective. Some are driven by money or achievement or happiness or purpose or a sense of progress or as often the case, a mix of all of these and more. Plus, although Ariely shares valuable insights from the psychological experiments (Bionicles, Origami, and Intel experiments are particularly interesting) that he outlines in the book, we need to keep in mind that real life is not like a lab that we can easily predict but it is both an ugly and beautiful, messy and orderly world. Ariely can be too general and simplistic in his assessments. Keep this in mind as you explore the subject.

Having said that, there are universal and essential motivations that drive human behaviors. For example, a sense of meaning, connection, identity, and individuality. Something simple like giving a compliment or acknowledgment for a job well done can be a strong drive of motivation for most people (on the other hand, it takes a little thing like negative-aggressive feedback can kill even the tiniest motivation!). Some of our conventional wisdom about motivation are also challenged in this book. For example, the idea that giving a large amount of money or bonuses as an incentive, in the long-term, “can backfire and make people less driven.” To know more, read the book or/and watch his TED Talks on YouTube. I also recommend listening to his podcast interviews on Spotify.

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #MotivationMatters #DanAriely #Psychology #TEDBooks #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other #1Book1Week book reviews, CLICK HERE

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Read the Bible But Don't JUST Read the Bible #1Book1Week October 2021

“When people refer to a man as 'a man of one book’, meaning the Bible, he is generally found to be a man of multitudinous books, which simply isolates the one Book to its proper grandeur,” said Oswald Chambers, a preacher, teacher, and writer of a well-known devotion My Utmost for His Highest. “The man who reads only the Bible does not, as a rule, know it or human life.” I agree wholeheartedly! Mr. Oswald loves for books came in part from his sitting at the feet of the Scottish preacher Alexander Whyte, who taught a series of classes that Oswald attended as a young man. Many times Oswald saw Whyte hold up a battered old book, telling the students, “Sell your beds and buy it.”

Afterward, Oswald never went anywhere without a book. Once, while traveling, he wrote to his sister Florence saying: “My box has at last arrived. My books! I cannot tell you what they mean to me – silent, wealthy, loyal lovers. To look at them, to handle them, and to re-read them! I do thank God for my books with every fiber of my being. Why, I could have almost cried to an excess of joy when I got hold of them again. I see them all just at my elbow now – Plato, Wordsworth, Myers, Bradley, Halyburton, St. Augustine, Browning, Tennyson, Amiel, etc. I know them. I wish you could see how they look at me, a quiet, calm look of certain acquaintance" (quote taken from David McCasland's Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God).

As Christ-followers, the Bible is our one and only chief Book that we all need to read, study and meditate daily. But this doesn’t mean that it is the only book that we need to read. Broaden your mind, enlarge your visions and uplift your spirit by reading other types or genres of books too. If I need to be inspired to walk in the faith, I read biographies like those of William Carrey, John Calvin, Hudson Taylor, Martin Luther, Charles H. Spurgeon, John Sung, etc. If I want to learn about the Scripture and theology, I turn to John McArthur, J.I. Packer, David Pawson, John Stott, etc. If I want to improve my leadership, I read John C. Maxwell and J. Oswald Sanders. To improve my critical thinking skills, I read Tony Buzan and Edward de Bono. So many subjects, so many choices, so little time! Read widely. Read more. Read daily.

#ServeToLead #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my October 2021 #1Book1Week reviews - obviously, my reading theme was on preaching this month - CLICK TITLES below ���

1) The Supremacy of God In Preaching (1990, 2004) by John Piper
2) Preaching & Preachers (1971, 1997) by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
3) Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers (1988) by J. C. Carlile,

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Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers (1988) by J. C. Carlile, Book Review

 Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers (1988) by J. C. Carlile
An edited and abridged version, 1997, by Dan Harmon

Once in a while, when I thought that I’ve done so many works and sacrifices for the Lord in my own small, faulty, ignorance perspective, and craving for people’s appreciation and attention, I will think of two mortal men who will have none of these and puts me - and all of us - to shame. First, the indisputable apostle Paul. “For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace” (1 Corinthians 15:10). And secondly, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He was called to be a preacher when he was 16 years old. It was recorded that in his entire life he preached nearly 3,600 sermons (“The collected sermons filled 63 volumes equivalent to the 27 volume ninth edition of Encyclopedia Britannica,” observes John Piper), and published 49 volumes of commentaries, sayings, illustrations, and devotions. Every week he preached 4 to 10 times, read 6 meaty books, revised sermons for publication, lectured, edited a monthly magazine, and in his spare time, he wrote about 150 books! Not to mention, he shepherded about 6,000 church members (legend says that he knew all members by name), founded and directed a theological college, an orphanage, and oversaw 66 Christian charities.* Remember too, he was a family man with a godly wife and a healthy relationship with all his children. There are more but I think you get the point.

David Livingstone, a famous missionary, once asked Spurgeon, “How can you accomplish so much in one day?” He replied wittily, “You forget, Mr. Livingstone. There are two of us working.” No doubt, he meant the presence and grace of the living God. Reading the biographies of such godly men and women like Spurgeon is a good reminder for every Christians, especially Christian ministers, to remain faithful to His Word and be productive in doing His works. This book, under the Heroes of the Faith titles from Barbour Publishing, is a good introduction to the life, ministry, and legacy of Charles H. Spurgeon. The story of Spurgeon’s childhood and conversion are very fascinating. He was a very curious boy who love nature and learning. One of his biggest influences in my life is his thirst for knowledge. Mind you, he had no formal theological training [nor being formally ordained as a minister] but he was very well-read in Puritan theology, natural history, and popular literature. This gives me hope because I too don’t have any formal theological training (Spurgeon wrote to his father who urged him to apply for college, “You know what my style is. I fancy it is not very collegelike.” Fist bump! Although, this is not an excuse if you need one) and also a sense of unworthiness because Spurgeon is Spurgeon and he is one of a kind (to compare oneself with Spurgeon is to compare a kitten with a lion). The book outlines various aspects of his life including his development as a preacher, minister, writer, educator, and defender of the Truth. A special chapter on his belief in Calvinism is also very interesting. He famously declared: “I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply – It is Jesus Christ.”

But not all of Spurgeon’s life was bright and sunny. He shared his portion of Christ’s suffering, betrayal of friends, physical pain, and emotional depression especially due to the tragic fire incident at Surrey Gardens Music Hall and the energy-sapping ‘Downgrade’ controversy (R.J. Sheehan’s C.H. Spurgeon and the Modern Church, 1985, is an excellent short book to know more about this great battle). At the end of the day, Spurgeon is still a mortal man with flaws, and very much in need of the Saviour like the rest of us. Only by God’s grace, Spurgeon was used by Him mightily. I’m thankful for Spurgeon’s service and praise God forever. As the apostle Paul puts it: “It was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.” Amen!

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #CharlesHSpurgeon #PrinceOfPreacher #ChristianBiography

Here are a few other related #1Book1Week reviews:

1) Spurgeon on Leadership (2010) by Larry J. Michael, CLICK HERE

2) C. H. Spurgeon and the Modern Church: Lessons for Today from the ‘Downgrade’ Controversy (1985) by R.J. Sheehan, CLICK HERE

3) Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists (Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon, CLICK HERE

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Preaching & Preachers (1971, 1997) by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Book Review

Preaching & Preachers (1971, 1997) by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

 

When I posted on my WhatsApp status after I finished reading this book, Dr. Thomas Chung, an itinerant preacher and a medical practitioner, texted me, "[This book] remain one of my most treasured books on the subject. From him, I learned the importance of 'diagnostic preaching' and tried using it every time I prepare a sermon. Glad you also like this man's writings." Dr. Thomas had sat on the preaching of Dr. Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel when he was studying medicine in London in the early 80s. "To watch the man preached stirs the spirit," he continues. "After listening to him one becomes consumed with the Majesty of God." I cannot say I feel the same since David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was born and died before God ever formed me in my mother's womb. But I trust that the testimony of Dr. Thomas - and few others who have witnessed the man and his preaching - is true. There are less than half a dozen of video interviews on YouTube available today that shows how soft-spoken, calm, and gentlemanly Dr. Lloyd-Jones was but there are hundreds of audio recording sermons at the MLJ Trust website that can give us a glimpse (although inadequate) of his passionate, piercing, and precise preaching.

This book is originally a transcript of his lecture series on the same title that he delivered to the students of the Westminster Theological Seminary. Besides reading the book, I also listened to the audio recordings of the 16 lectures available online (plus two question and answer sessions). I find that this practice of after reading a chapter, then listening to the session is very helpful for me to comprehend more, memorize important points, and capture the gems that I might miss along the way. Above all, I can somewhat imagine that I was sitting there in the lecture room with the other students to hear and interact with Dr. Lloyd-Jones. It is more lively, and I can hear his Welsh accent that is absent in the written pages. Also, you must understand that when he preached on the pulpit he is very serious but in the lecture room, you can hear his sense of humor. Try it! Knowing the man by reading his biography and listening to sermons on his life and ministry are very helpful too. I recommend watching Steven Lawson's The Passionate Preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and Iain Murray's The Legacies of Martyn Lloyd-Jones on YouTube for a start (To get a hold of how God uses this man to influence other faithful preachers today, watch a documentary about him entitled, Logic on Fire).

It is hard to say which chapters are the most important but obviously, the first two are essentials, namely, on 1) The Primacy of Preaching, and 2) No Substitute, because here Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that preaching the Word of God or The Gospel or The Truth is not an optional but the very reason why the Church exists in the world. He observes from the Scriptures and history that: "The work of preaching is the highest and the greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called. If you want something in addition to that I would say without hesitation that the most urgent need in the Christian Church is true preaching; and if it is the greatest and the most urgent need in the Church, it is obviously the greatest need of the world also." When he comes to the question of what is preaching? His famous words are "Logic on fire! Eloquent reason!… It is theology on fire. And a theology which does not take fire, I maintain, is a defective theology; or at least the man's understanding of it is defective. Preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire. A true understanding and experience of the Truth must lead to this. I say again that a man who can speak about these things dispassionately has no right whatever to be in a pulpit; and should never be allowed to enter one." And what is the chief end of preaching? He simply said, "It is to give men and women a sense of God and His presence." One sentence that I can describe the man who is often known as 'the Doctor' is this: he cares about the Truth!

Unlike his preaching, since this is his lecture series, he shared lots of relevant stories, personal examples, and anecdotes to help his students by way of illustration to explain the Biblical preaching principles. But when he wanted to state his personal opinions about what is not clearly taught in the Scriptures, he said so and I sometimes (very few) disagree or remain skeptical with his diagnosis. It's okay. We are human beings bound by our perceptions, biases, and time. Only God is perfect, immutable, and fallible! Praise Him! I fully recommend this book to every Christian minister regardless of either you're a preacher or not. Not all are called to be full-time preachers (I'm not!) but all are called to preach the Word. Stephen and Philip in Acts 6 were chosen specifically to "serve tables" not to the ministry of the Word but when the Holy Spirit filled them with power and wisdom, they preached the Word boldly with logic on fire! (read Acts 7 and 8).

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #MartynLloydJones #PreachingAndPreachers #LogicOnFire

To read my previous #1Book1Week book reviews, CLICK HERE  

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The Supremacy of God In Preaching (1990, 2004) by John Piper, Book Review

The Supremacy of God In Preaching (1990, 2004) by John Piper

 

“There are always two parts to true worship,” writes John Piper, one of the role models who taught me to delight in God, to love the Scriptures, and to proclaim the truth with passion, “There is seeing God, and there is savoring God. You can’t separate these. You must see him to savor him. And if you don’t savor him when you see him, you insult him. In true worship, there is always understanding with the mind, and there is always feeling in the heart. Understanding must always be the foundation of feeling, or all we have is baseless emotionalism. But the understanding of God that doesn’t give rise to feeling for God becomes mere intellectualism and deadness. This is why the Bible continually calls us to think and consider and meditate, on the other hand, and to rejoice and fear and mourn and delight and hope and be glad, on the other hand. Both are essential for worship.” This is one of the most critical passages in the book. If you get this - especially the preachers - you will see why the work of preaching is not just informing but also transforming the mind and the heart of the (listening) hearers to look Godward. Piper continues by saying that the reason that preaching is so essential is that “it is uniquely suited to waken seeing God and savoring God… with the exposition of the Word of God and exultation in the God of the Word.”

Few people like John Piper understand the real goal, purpose, and high calling of preaching today. Perhaps the other preacher is the late Martyn Lloyd-Jones (I’m currently reading Preaching & Preachers by Dr Lloyd), who said: “To me, the work of preaching is the highest and greatest and the most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called.” It is always dangerous, in my opinion, to compare previous faithful preachers with contemporary preachers because times have changed. But if the truth is unchanged, then the means to declare the truth is unchanged too, namely, through preaching. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). But many of the so-called preachings nowadays is nothing more than just a motivational talk or an inspirational sharing or a psychological counselling session. Sprinkling Bible verses here and there, exciting the audiences with music and dramatic actions, delivering TED talks-style man-centred teachings, which people call preaching today. Far from the truth! As much as the judgment of God goes to the modern-day false preachers, the people also play the role and are held responsible for lifting them to celebrity status (read 2 Timothy 4:3). Preachers must teach the truth, and the people must hunger for the truth. How do you know if the preacher is teaching the truth? He will point you to SEE God. How do you know if you are hunger for the truth? You will be longing to SAVOR God.

Read what Pastor John said about the supremacy of God in preaching: “The dominant note of preaching be the freedom of God’s sovereign grace, that the unifying theme be the zeal that God has for his own glory, that the grand object of preaching be the infinite and inexhaustible being of God, and that the pervasive atmosphere of preaching be the holiness of God.” It is God from beginning to end. God reign! There are many gems in this book, and I highly recommend it to every pastor, teacher, preacher, and growing Christian. Although I’m not particularly called to be a preacher but a staff worker, I find this book helps me to remind myself that the chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever. [Note: The Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes the chief end of man by using the word “and” to connect the two statements, but John Piper has suggested that the word “by” would be more consistent]. I have read this book for the third time. The first time I was in the FES Penang office during my visit many years ago, the second time I moved back to FES Sarawak, and again this year. Read it!

#ServeToLead #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #JohnPiper #TheSupremacyOfGodInPreaching

To read my previous #1Book1Week book reviews, CLICK HERE  

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Reading Christians Are Growing Christians #1Book1Week September 2021

“Reading Christians are growing Christians,” said John Wesley, “When Christians cease to read, they cease to grow.” How true! In the past, I used to give three books per month through my blog (this was before I entered the full-time ministry. Cash is king!). There were three main reasons why I giveaway books for free: 1) So that my readers can gain godly wisdom, get inspired, and be motivated to live a Christian life through Christian’s literature; 2) To give them a tool to stir, exercise, and polish the edge of their God-given mind; and 3) To cultivate their passion for reading. Although I’m not giving away books anymore, the reason number 3) is still part of my purpose why I write book reviews and this kind of post.

In my opinion, reading is essential for Christians to grow mentally and spiritually. I venture to say that today, reading is one of the main ways God effectively speaking to us on a daily basis (Have you ever wonder why God give us The Book - a.k.a. The Bible - as the medium for us to know His will, His works, and His sovereignty?). On reading, the apostle Paul’s counsel to young Timothy to “focus on reading the Scripture” (1 Timothy 4:13), which in context referred to the public reading of the Old Testament. J. Oswald Sanders, in his classic book Spiritual Leadership, comments on 2 Timothy 4:13: “Paul’s advice is appropriate for other areas of reading as well. Paul’s books – the one he wanted Timothy to bring along – were probably words of Jewish history, explanations of the law and prophets, and perhaps some of the heathen poets Paul quoted in his sermons and lectures. A student to the end, Paul wanted to spend time in study.” If Paul, who God used to write half of the New Testament and was in prison waiting for his death sentence when he wrote letters to Timothy, continues his study by [wanted to] reading books, do you think reading is not important for Christians?

Read to “fill the wells of inspiration,” advise Harold Ockenga, an evangelist and avid reader himself. I say read for spiritual benefit, read for intellectual growth, read to cultivate speaking and writing style, read to acquire new information and knowledge, read to keep current with the time and read to polishes the edge of your God-given mind. Aldous Huxley, an English writer and philosopher, reminds us: “Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify, to multiply the ways in which he exists, to make his life full, significant and interesting.”

#ServeToLead #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my previous #1Book1Week book reviews, CLICK HERE  

1) Unveiling the End Times In Our Time (2004) by Adrian Rogers, READ HERE

2) A Word to Fellow Pastors and Other Christian Leaders (1875, 2019) by Horatius Bonar, READ HERE

3) How To Think Like Einstein (2000, 2015) by Scott Thorpe, READ HERE

4) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy (1954) by Clive Staples Lewis, READ HERE

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Unveiling the End Times In Our Time: The Triumph of the Lamb In Revelation (2004) by Adrian Rogers, Somewhat Review

Unveiling the End Times In Our Time: The Triumph of the Lamb In Revelation (2004)

by Adrian Rogers

 Before I became a full-time staff worker, I used to listened to hours of the late Adrian Rogers' sermons when I was working in Kuala Lumpur on the way to work and back using public transportation. I was not a serious Christian, I didn't go to church regularly, and I lived a rebellious lifestyle. I was like sinful king Herod who loved to listen to John the Baptist even though he became greatly disturbed every time he heard him preach (Mark 6:20). But instead of beheading Adrian Rogers, I bought this book to learn more about the Book of Revelation that he passionately preached in a weekly series through the Love Worth Finding radio ministry. I cannot say I was convinced during that time (still skeptical and dabbling with the world philosophies), but it does spark my interest to read the 'weirdest' book of the Bible firsthand.

Fast forward 14 years later(?), I'm rereading this book. Now that I have more knowledge of the Bible, become matured in the faith, have more experience in life, and have a better understanding of our time, I can grasp much more truths taught in this book. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit uses it to open my spiritual eyes to understand the big picture of the Book of Revelation when I read it. I was blind, but now I see! Men of God like Adrian Rogers, David Pawson, Chuck Missler, Tim LaHaye, and John MacArthur have been a great help for me in deciphering the Book of Revelation (learn widely but weigh their teachings wisely). As I look back, I'm amazed how God led me to read this book and be interested in the subject all over again. There are three (3) main reasons: 1) I was researching for my exposition Bible study podcast on Matthew chapter 24 on the end times and suddenly remembered that I have this book somewhere inside a box in my library; 2) Currently, I'm doing an audio recording chapter by chapter on the Book of Revelation in Bahasa Iban, and along the way, questions arise, and so I need to find answers; and 3) When I watch the news of what is happening in the world today like the pandemic, wars, global warming, society breakdown, political chaos, restriction laws, the rise of technology, extreme narcissistic behavior in social media, etc. I cannot help but see signs of Biblical prophecies, particularly in the Book of Revelation, on the end times are being fulfilled before my eyes.

Although I'm concerned and curious about what will happen next, I'm not afraid of the future as a Christ-follower. I know for sure who holds it (the past and the present too!), namely, the sovereign God of the Bible. Some things in the Book of Revelation will remain a mystery to me and will not be known until they are unfolded. But as Adrian Rogers said, the bottom line is this: "Jesus is coming, and I am certain of that and very, very glad. I have resigned from the program committee, and have moved over to the welcoming committee. Even so, come Lord Jesus!" Pastor Rogers writes in straightforward language, clear exposition but not too details, from a devotional point of view, and the outlines - like his sermons - are easy to follow. (For serious study, I recommend reading classic commentaries from e-Sword or Logos Bible apps). At the beginning of the book, Pastor Rogers straightaway tells the reader that he is a "convinced pretribulation premillennialist." I like that. No more guesswork! I haven't decided either to subscribe to premillennialism or amillennialism. No rush. What's more urgent and important is this, our Lord Jesus Christ declares: "Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" (Revelation 22:12). Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

#ServeToLead #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my previous #1Book1Week book reviews, CLICK HERE  

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