Manoj Rathatha - Filthy Rich: The Property Tycoon Who Struck Real Gold

Text copyright 2015 by Manoj Raithatha

This edition copyright 2015 Lion Hudson

The right of Manoj Raithatha to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published by Monarch Books
an imprint of

Lion Hudson plc

Wilkinson House, Jordan Hill Road, Oxford OX2 8DR, England

Email: monarch@lionhudson.com
www.lionhudson.com/monarch

ISBN 978 0 85721 590 1
e-ISBN 978 0 85721 591 8

First edition 2015

Acknowledgments

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton, a member of the Hodder Headline Group. All rights reserved. NIV is a trademark of International Bible Society. UK trademark number 1448790.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Cover image: Len Kerswill

Some names in this book have been changed for the sake of anonymity.

Raised a Hindu, Manoj grew up in East Africa and England. He worked as a teacher and then in theatre, winning a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival, and in television, where he and his wife won a BAFTA. Now a Christian, he continues to work in property and runs Instant Apostle publishing house and the faith-based South Asian Forum team of the UK Evangelical Alliance.

Behind its intentionally outrageous title, Manoj gives us a compelling, fast-moving, inspiring, and enjoyable read. It is a moving and much-needed account of Gods ways with people from migrant Asian backgrounds.

Steve Bell, author, trainer, and Director of Interserve

Manoj Raithatha has a fascinating story dealing with wealth, poverty, faith, and leadership. He tells his story with honesty and skill, and is a voice well worth listening to.

Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, Dean, St Mellitus College

Manoj has become not only a colleague but a friend. Filthy Rich provides us with an amazingly encouraging account of a life turned around by a powerful encounter with Jesus. This is a book to read and enjoy but then to give away to a friend or neighbour and pray it will impact them.

Steve Clifford, General Director, Evangelical Alliance

I have found this story to be both gripping and emotionally moving. Its a no-holds-barred account of the power of the cross to save and restore. I couldnt put the book down once I started it. A great resource tool for those who have no faith, those exploring a deeper meaning to life, and even longstanding believers. I will be recommending it to many Christian business people I know and giving it as a gift to those who are not yet followers of Christ. This is a true rags-to-riches, to true riches story!

Steve Uppal, senior leader, All Nations Christian Centre, Wolverhampton

This is an open and honest story of one mans search for happiness. Believing financial wealth will deliver the contentment and security he craves, Manoj pursues money with all his strength. But after experiencing dizzying highs and devastating lows he finally comes to realize that true happiness can only be found in relationship with God.

Ram Gidoomal CBE, Chairman of Traidcraft plc

Manojs journey to faith is fascinating: relational break-ups, major property deals, panic attacks, the supernatural His book shows that God can not only change our past but give us an exciting future!

Andy Frost, Share Jesus International

This is an extraordinary story compellingly told. Spanning three continents, touching on themes of identity, family, money, and loss, Manoj invites us, out of the honesty and humour of his own experience, to reflect on what isnt important in life, what really does matter, and the choices we make between the two. Filthy Rich wont take you long to read, but you wont forget it in a hurry.

The Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford

I find the autobiographies Ive most enjoyed get me inside the authors head you are there, feeling them think, getting to know them, connecting with, in this case, Kenya, relationships, faith, teachers, the deals, The Daily Telegraph, The Rich List, the crunch of 2008, hospitals, and Soul Survivor. And then you begin to ask, who is behind the big picture in this life and is he at work in my life in the same way?

Rico Tice, All Souls Church and Christianity Explored

Wow an impacting and life transforming story. Manojs life ambition is to ardently pursue money, yet he ends up encountering and embracing God. He describes what happened with a high degree of transparency and humility. In my opinion, this is an authentic, life-changing story I will recommend for everyone to read, digest, ponder on, and learn from. I truly believe it will have a lasting eternal impact on all who find the time to read this amazing story.

Pastor Octavia Williams, Walworth Christian Fellowship

To my wife, Maria, whom I failed
many times. I am so sorry that it
took me so long to appreciate the
gift you are in my life.

To God, who loves me
unconditionally and never gave up
on me. To You belongs all the glory!

Contents

Acknowledgments

I want to give my heartfelt thanks to a number of people who have helped in making this book possible.

First of all, I want to thank my family for giving me the time and space to write it. I couldnt have completed my story without your immense understanding and love. Maria, thank you for all your encouragement and taking the time to read umpteen drafts of this book. Thank you also to my beautiful children, Chandni and Ishaan, for shaping my life, and for all the laughter you bring into our crazy home.

To my mother, Saroj, and my father, Mahendra, for allowing me to express my story with such honesty. Thank you for your continued support, generosity, and love over the years. In both of you, I have truly great parents.

Thank you, Georgina, for being the best mother-in-law a man could have. I keep on telling people theres none better! Thank you for helping me to grow spiritually and feeding me up on all those delightful roast dinners.

I also want to say a huge thank you to those of you who have impacted my life and thus my story. Sadly, I cant mention you all because there are so many of you, but please know that your kindness has not gone unnoticed. Thank you, Mr Massie-Blomfield, Marci Kristof, and Priya for taking the time to write your reflections at different points in my life story. I am thrilled that your words are in this book! I will be forever grateful to you, Mr Massie-Blomfield, for planting a seed in my life, and Marci Kristof, for watering and tending to it.

My sincere thanks also go to Ram Gidoomal and Peter Day for the instrumental part they have played in my faith journey. Thank you so much for your patient guidance and prayer support over the years.

This book has involved a number of people who have helped in shaping the final version. Thank you, Nige Freeman, Robin Thomson, and Clive Thorne for all your wise comments. You guys are awesome; to you I owe some serious appreciation.