Good Money Revolution

Good Money Revolution Plot Summary

Introduction

It was a crisp autumn morning when Sarah, a talented marketing executive, stared blankly at her bank statement. Despite her impressive salary, something felt hollow. "Is this all there is?" she wondered. Like many of us, Sarah had mastered the art of earning money but struggled with finding meaning in her financial success. The numbers in her account kept growing, yet her sense of fulfillment remained stagnant. This disconnect between financial success and personal fulfillment is at the heart of what Derrick Kinney addresses. He challenges the conventional notion that money itself is the ultimate goal, suggesting instead that true wealth comes when we connect our money to a greater purpose. Through compelling stories and practical frameworks, he introduces a revolutionary approach that transforms how we earn, save, and give. The path forward isn't about accumulating wealth for its own sake, but about using our financial resources as a powerful force for good—both in our lives and in the world around us. By reframing our relationship with money, we can move beyond mere success to significance, creating a legacy that extends far beyond our bank accounts.

Chapter 1: Money Is Good and You Should Have More of It

James grew up in a middle-class neighborhood where money was often tight but rarely discussed. At the dinner table, his parents avoided financial conversations, and when they did speak about wealth, it was often with hushed tones and subtle disapproval of "those rich people." This upbringing left James with an uncomfortable relationship with money—he wanted financial security but felt guilty about desiring wealth. When he started his career, this conflicted mindset limited his potential, as he unconsciously sabotaged opportunities for advancement, feeling he didn't deserve abundance. The story of James reflects a common mindset that Kinney addresses head-on: the deeply ingrained belief that money is somehow bad or that desiring wealth makes you greedy. Through his work with thousands of clients, Kinney observed that many people carry these limiting beliefs about money from childhood into adulthood, creating invisible barriers to their financial growth. Kinney introduces a refreshing counterargument: money itself is neutral—a tool that takes on the character of its owner. Just as a hammer can build a house or break a window, money can be used for constructive or destructive purposes. The key distinction isn't whether having money is good or bad, but rather what you choose to do with it. One client, Robert, transformed his financial trajectory after shifting his perspective. Previously, Robert viewed his desire for wealth as selfish until Kinney helped him connect his financial goals to his passion for education. By reframing wealth acquisition as fuel for supporting educational initiatives in underserved communities, Robert removed his self-imposed ceiling and doubled his income within two years. This mental shift from seeing money as a necessary evil to viewing it as a positive force for change creates what Kinney calls the "abundance mindset." When we remove the guilt and shame around desiring wealth, we free ourselves to earn more, save more, and ultimately give more. The paradox Kinney reveals is powerful: those who pursue money with a purpose beyond themselves often achieve greater financial success than those focused solely on accumulation. Money is good because good people can use it to do good things. In a world with pressing problems, we need financially empowered individuals who can allocate resources toward meaningful solutions. The question isn't whether you should have more money—it's whether you're ready to embrace the responsibility and opportunity that comes with it.

Chapter 2: From Success to Significance: The Power of Giving

Mark had achieved everything society defined as success—the corner office, the luxury car, the vacation home. Yet on Sunday evenings, he still felt that familiar knot of dread in his stomach at the thought of another week. During a pivotal conversation with Kinney, Mark confessed that despite his substantial wealth, he felt empty. "I've climbed the ladder," he admitted, "but I'm not sure it's leaning against the right wall." This sentiment captured the essence of what many financially successful people experience: the hollow victory of achieving monetary goals without deeper purpose. Kinney suggested something counterintuitive to Mark. Instead of focusing on making more money, he should focus on giving more away—specifically to causes that sparked genuine passion. Reluctantly, Mark began allocating funds to support mental health programs for veterans, an issue close to his heart since his brother had struggled after military service. Within months, something unexpected happened. Mark's business decisions became sharper, his leadership more inspiring, and remarkably, his company's profits increased. The more he gave, the more he seemed to receive in return. This phenomenon of "generative giving" appears consistently throughout Kinney's work with clients. Dave, another business owner feeling disengaged from his manufacturing company, experienced a similar transformation. After connecting his business success to funding a school in a developing country he had visited, his entire demeanor changed. Within three months, sales jumped 20%, and Dave reported feeling "ten years younger." The school was almost fully funded, and his business was thriving. Kinney introduces what he calls the "Generosity Purpose"—the idea that giving becomes the primary motivation for earning. This inverts the traditional success formula of "make money first, give later (maybe)" to "give now to make more money to give more." It's not about altruism versus self-interest, but rather discovering how these seemingly opposing forces actually reinforce each other. The psychological research supports this approach. Studies show that acts of generosity activate the brain's reward centers, reducing stress and increasing happiness. Beyond the personal benefits, a giving mindset often leads to stronger business relationships, enhanced reputation, and access to new opportunities—all factors that contribute to financial growth. The shift from success to significance happens when we stop measuring our worth by what we accumulate and start measuring it by what we contribute. This doesn't diminish ambition or financial goals; rather, it infuses them with deeper meaning and sustainable motivation. When money becomes a means to make positive impact rather than an end in itself, we unlock both greater fulfillment and, paradoxically, greater financial abundance.

Chapter 3: The Good Money Framework: 7 Steps to Financial Freedom

Emma sat across from Kinney, overwhelmed by her financial situation. At 42, she had a decent income but minimal savings, some lingering debt, and no clear path forward. "I feel like I'm just treading water," she admitted. "Everyone else seems to have this figured out." Like many, Emma found financial planning intimidating—too complex, too restrictive, and frankly, too boring. Kinney smiled and pulled out a single sheet of paper. "Let's simplify this," he said, introducing Emma to what would transform her relationship with money: the 7-Step Good Money Framework. The framework began with a question that surprised Emma: "What cause keeps you up at night?" Emma mentioned her passion for helping domestic violence survivors, having supported a friend through such an experience years earlier. Kinney explained that this would become her "Generosity Purpose"—the driving force behind all her financial decisions. Rather than starting with budgeting or investments, the framework started with meaning. From there, they worked through the remaining steps: defining her top three financial goals, determining her desired income, exploring options to earn more, creating a simple saving and investing plan, implementing her generosity strategy, and establishing regular progress reviews. Emma was stunned by how accessible this approach felt compared to previous attempts at financial planning. Within six months, Emma had paid off her credit card debt, negotiated a 15% raise at work, and started donating monthly to a domestic violence shelter. More significantly, she reported feeling energized about her finances for the first time in her adult life. "Having my Generosity Purpose as the foundation makes everything else fall into place," she told Kinney during a follow-up session. The Good Money Framework works because it addresses both the practical and emotional aspects of money management. By connecting financial strategies to personal values, it transforms what often feels like restriction into purposeful direction. The approach acknowledges that without emotional investment, even the most sophisticated financial plans typically fail. Kinney's framework also simplifies what many financial advisors overcomplicate. Rather than overwhelming clients with complex investment strategies or budget categories, the seven steps provide just enough structure to make progress while maintaining flexibility for individual circumstances. The real power of this approach is its sustainability. Traditional financial planning often relies on willpower and discipline, resources that eventually deplete. By contrast, purpose-driven financial management taps into intrinsic motivation—the desire to make a difference—which research shows is far more sustainable over time. This framework isn't just about organizing money; it's about organizing meaning. When our finances align with our deepest values, we experience what Kinney calls "financial coherence"—that rare state where our resources flow toward what truly matters to us. The result is not just financial freedom but freedom to pursue what we find most meaningful.

Chapter 4: Overcoming Negative Money Mindsets

Peter grew up hearing his father say, "Money is the root of all evil," a misquotation that nevertheless shaped his entire relationship with finances. In his family, wealth was viewed with suspicion; rich people were assumed to be either lucky or unethical. These early lessons played in the background of Peter's mind throughout adulthood. Despite his intelligence and work ethic, he remained stuck in financial mediocrity, unconsciously sabotaging opportunities for advancement and repeatedly making poor financial decisions. During his first session with Kinney, Peter was asked to recall his earliest money memory. He described watching his parents argue about bills at the kitchen table, his father pounding his fist and saying, "There's never enough!" Kinney explained that Peter was operating from what he called a "scarcity script"—a deeply ingrained belief system about money that was limiting his potential. Peter had never considered how these childhood experiences were shaping his adult financial life. Kinney introduced Peter to a process of identifying and rewriting these money scripts. First, Peter needed to recognize the specific negative beliefs he held—that money causes problems, that wealthy people are unethical, and that he didn't deserve financial abundance. Then, through journaling exercises and guided reflections, Peter began consciously replacing these beliefs with new perspectives: money is a neutral tool that can be used for good, many wealthy people create tremendous value for others, and he deserved prosperity as much as anyone else. The transformation wasn't immediate, but it was profound. Within a year, Peter had doubled his income by finally pursuing a promotion he'd previously convinced himself he didn't deserve. More importantly, he began experiencing what Kinney calls "financial peace"—the absence of anxiety and shame around money decisions. Kinney emphasizes that negative money mindsets are particularly insidious because they operate largely beyond our awareness. We don't question these beliefs because they don't feel like beliefs at all—they feel like reality. This is why so many intelligent, capable people remain financially stuck despite having the skills and opportunities to thrive. The approach to overcoming these limiting beliefs is both compassionate and practical. Rather than simply pushing people to "think positively," Kinney guides them through examining the historical origins of their money beliefs, challenging their accuracy in the present, and systematically replacing them with more empowering perspectives. This cognitive restructuring process, when paired with small but consistent actions, gradually creates new neural pathways that support financial growth. Freedom from negative money mindsets isn't just about making more money—it's about experiencing peace, confidence, and generosity in our relationship with wealth. When we release the psychological barriers that have held us back, we discover that our financial potential was far greater than we imagined, and our capacity to create positive impact expands accordingly.

Chapter 5: Generosity as the Ultimate Growth Strategy

Michael owned a small consulting firm that had plateaued in growth. Despite working longer hours and implementing various marketing strategies, revenues remained flat for three consecutive years. During a session with Kinney, Michael admitted he felt stuck professionally and personally unfulfilled. "I make a good living," he sighed, "but it all feels a bit pointless." Rather than suggesting new business tactics, Kinney asked Michael a surprising question: "What societal problem keeps you up at night?" After some reflection, Michael shared his passion for helping underprivileged youth access technology education—something he'd never connected to his business. Kinney suggested a radical approach: what if Michael committed to donating a percentage of profits to fund coding camps for underprivileged teens, and made this commitment public to his clients? The idea seemed risky to Michael—wouldn't this reduce his already stagnant profits?—but something about it resonated deeply. Within three months of implementing this "Generosity Purpose" strategy, Michael noticed something unexpected happening. Current clients began referring new business at unprecedented rates. When asked why, they often mentioned how inspired they were by the company's commitment to education. Potential clients began choosing Michael's firm over competitors specifically because they wanted to be part of something meaningful. Perhaps most surprisingly, Michael's team became more engaged and productive, with several employees mentioning that the company's mission had rekindled their passion for their work. Kinney explains that this "generosity effect" isn't coincidental. Research has shown that companies with clear social purposes outperform their peers by significant margins. One study by Deloitte found that purpose-driven companies grew three times faster on average than their competitors, while experiencing higher market share gains and better employee and customer satisfaction. This approach works for individuals as well as businesses. Kinney shares the story of Lisa, a freelance graphic designer who began donating a percentage of her income to clean water projects. She found herself mentioning this commitment during client conversations, not as a sales tactic but as an authentic expression of her values. To her surprise, clients began specifically requesting her over other designers, and her income increased by 40% within a year. The generosity strategy succeeds because it transforms the fundamental motivation behind earning money. Instead of working primarily for personal gain, which has natural motivational limits, we work to increase our positive impact on causes we deeply care about. This creates what psychologists call "intrinsic motivation"—the most powerful and sustainable form of motivation. Generosity also expands our perspective beyond immediate concerns, helping us make better long-term decisions. When we're focused solely on personal gain, we tend to optimize for short-term results. When we're motivated by impact, we naturally adopt a longer timeframe that often leads to better business and investment choices. Far from being a sacrifice, strategic generosity becomes the engine of sustainable growth—personally, professionally, and financially. By giving more, we position ourselves to receive more, creating an upward spiral of prosperity and impact.

Chapter 6: Creating Your Giving Plan and People Portfolio

Sarah and John, a couple in their mid-forties, had achieved financial stability but felt disconnected from their money. "We save, we invest, we do all the 'right' things," Sarah explained to Kinney, "but it feels mechanical. There's no heart in it." Kinney nodded, recognizing a common pattern among his financially successful clients—they had mastered the mechanics of money management but missed the meaning. He introduced them to the concepts of a Giving Plan and People Portfolio, approaches that would transform their relationship with wealth. Kinney first helped them develop a structured Giving Plan using the 80-10-10 model: living on 80% of their income, saving 10%, and giving 10%. For Sarah and John, who had no debt and substantial savings, this was immediately implementable. But the real innovation came when Kinney asked them to identify specific causes and individuals they wanted to support—creating what he calls a "People Portfolio." The couple identified three main areas: education for underprivileged youth, mental health resources, and direct support for struggling families in their community. Rather than simply writing checks to large organizations, Kinney encouraged them to seek personal connections within these areas. They began by funding college application fees for promising students at a local high school, supporting a friend's therapy practice that offered sliding-scale services, and anonymously paying off medical debts for families facing hardship. Six months later, Sarah and John reported a complete transformation in their relationship with money. "For the first time," John explained, "I'm excited to earn more because I know exactly how that money will change lives." Sarah added that their giving had created meaningful connections they never anticipated—the students they supported often stayed in touch, and they had formed deep friendships with others passionate about the same causes. Kinney emphasizes that effective giving requires both structure and heart. The structured aspect ensures consistency and prevents giving from becoming an afterthought. The heart aspect—the People Portfolio—connects abstract financial concepts to real human impact, creating the emotional investment that sustains the practice. This approach works because it transforms money from a number to a narrative. Every dollar in Sarah and John's accounts now had a potential story attached to it—the student who might attend college, the person who could access therapy, the family relieved of medical debt. This narrative quality makes financial decisions more meaningful and often leads to better choices. Kinney suggests several practical strategies for developing your own giving approach. Start small with 1% of income if necessary, and gradually increase over time. Diversify your giving between established organizations and direct personal impact. Consider anonymous giving for some contributions to experience the pure joy of generosity without recognition. Track both the financial amounts and the stories that emerge from your giving. The People Portfolio concept extends beyond traditional charity to encompass any way we can use our resources—financial and otherwise—to invest in others' potential. This might include mentoring, making connections, or even simply offering encouragement at critical moments. By thoughtfully planning our giving and deliberately investing in people, we transform our wealth from a static resource to a dynamic force for good. The result isn't just greater impact for others, but a richer, more purposeful relationship with our money and a deeper connection to our communities.

Summary

The Good Money Revolution isn't just about accumulating wealth—it's about transforming our relationship with money into a force for positive change. Throughout these chapters, we've seen how connecting our finances to deeper purpose creates a virtuous cycle: we earn more because we're motivated by impact, we make wiser financial decisions because we're guided by values, and we experience greater fulfillment because our resources align with our deepest convictions. The journey begins with rejecting the false narrative that money is inherently problematic and embracing the truth that financial resources, when directed with intention, create extraordinary possibilities for good. By implementing the seven-step Good Money Framework, overcoming limiting money mindsets, embracing generosity as a growth strategy, and developing thoughtful giving plans, we can move from mere financial success to true significance. This path doesn't require sacrificing prosperity—quite the opposite. It reveals how purpose and profit naturally reinforce each other when aligned with authentic values. As we invest in our "People Portfolio" and connect our cash to causes, our money to movements, and our profits to purpose, we discover that wealth isn't measured by what we accumulate, but by the impact we create and the lives we touch.

About Author

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Donald Miller

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. Donald Miller grew up in Houston, Texas. Leaving home at the age of twenty-one, he traveled across the country until he ran out of money in Portland, Oregon, where he lives today. Harvest House Publishers released his first book, Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance, in 2000. Two years later, after having audited classes at Portland’s Reed College, Don wrote Blue Like Jazz, which would slowly become a New York Times Bestseller.In 2004 Don released Searching for God Knows What a book about how the Gospel of Jesus explains the human personality. Searching has become required reading at numerous colleges across the country. In 2005 he released Through Painted Deserts the story of he and a friends road trip across the country. In 2006, he added another book, To Own A Dragon, which offered Miller's reflections on growing up without a father. This book reflected an interest already present in Donald's life, as he founded the The Mentoring Project (formerly the Belmont Foundation)–a non-profit that partners with local churches to mentor fatherless young men.Don has teamed up with Steve Taylor and Ben Pearson to write the screenplay for Blue Like Jazz which will be filmed in Portland in the spring of 2008 and released thereafter.Don is the founder of The Belmont Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation which partners with working to recruit ten-thousand mentors through one-thousand churches as an answer to the crisis of fatherlessness in America.A sought-after speaker, Don has delivered lectures to a wide-range of audiences including the Women of Faith Conference, the Veritas Forum at Harvard University and the Veritas Forum at Cal Poly. In 2008, Don was asked to deliver the closing prayer on Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.Don’s next book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years humorously and tenderly chronicles Don’s experience with filmmakers as they edit his life for the screen, hoping to make it less boring. When they start fictionalizing Don’s life for film–changing a meandering memoir into a structured narrative–the real-life Don starts a journey to edit his actual life into a better story. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years details that journey and challenges readers to reconsider what they strive for in life. It shows how to get a second chance at life the first time around.

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