Americans Choose Donald Trump, Kim Kardashian Over Bible for Financial Advice
A new survey conducted on behalf of the American Bible Society finds that Americans are more willing to take financial advice from business mogul Donald Trump and reality television star Kim Kardashian than they are from the Bible.
The survey, conducted by the online market research firm Harris Interactive and released in coordination with the Financial Stewardship Bible, found that 50 percent of Americans are more willing to take financial advice from Donald Trump, compared to 32 percent who look to the Bible for financial guidance.
Although Trump has made a household name for himself with several successful business ventures, including cable television shows, his journey to billionaire status has not always been smooth sailing. Trump-branded companies have reportedly filed for bankruptcy four times since 1991.
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The survey yielded other surprising results. It also found that one in 10 Americans, ages 18-34, would be most inclined to receive financial advice from reality television star Kim Kardashian. Kardashian's net worth is reportedly estimated to be at $35 million.
It also found that 86 percent of Americans do not follow what the Bible teaches regarding financial management. Twenty-four percent of the survey's participants who do not follow the Bible's financial advice think that if they did, they would make more money.
Lastly, the survey found that 94 percent of Americans cannot identify a Proverbs Bible verse which speaks on the rewards of hard work.
The verse, found in Proverbs 16:26 reads (NIV), "The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on."
Lamar Vest, president of the American Bible Society, believes that America's current economic crisis may be an opportune time for Americans to look to the Bible for economic guidance.
"God's wisdom isn't just for life and death or life's moral conundrums," said Vest in a press release from DeMoss News, a faith-based media group, regarding the survey.
"The Bible offers sound advice about managing money, avoiding debt and prospering in difficult times," he added.
Although many agree that the bible does offer sound, practical advice for finances, others argue that it is too simplistic for the modern world of mortgages, healthcare, or housing.
"If you're going to go pre-New Deal, 1924 America, that's basically what [the Bible's] advice is driven by," Robert Manning, author of Credit Card Nation, told USA Today.
"It sounds so good and plausible until you actually put it into reality, and it just doesn't work," he added, arguing that Americans need to focus more on adapting to the modern economy, such as taking advantage of credit card laws and tax laws.
The survey was conducted among 2,262 U.S. adults age 18 and older online by market research firm Harris Interactive, on behalf of the American Bible Society, from Feb. 16-20.
