Publishers Weekly Review on The Treasure Principle
"When you discover the secret joy of the Treasure Principle, I guarantee you'll never be content with less." So claims Alcorn in the introduction to this small gift book on Christian generosity. Noting that 15% of Christ's teachings in the New Testament deal with money and possessions—more than his teachings on heaven and hell combined—Alcorn compares heavenly treasure, which is eternal, with earthly riches, which "will always be lost" after death. Alcorn encourages Christians to understand that everything they believe they own is actually God's; they are merely managers.
He is a compelling storyteller, whether drawing on Scripture, accounts of others who have lived generously, or recounting his own experiences; all of his book royalties and a large portion of his salary go to charity. Analyzing the pervasive disease of "affluenza" and the fact that Americans' unprecedented wealth does not seem to be bringing extraordinary happiness, he says that he and other people who have discovered the secret of unfettered giving know that they are storing up treasures in heaven, their true home. Alcorn's writing here is more akin to a motivational speech (including an overabundance of rhetorical questions, italicized words and exclamation points for emphasis) than a book. However, many Christians will appreciate his countercultural messages that "giving is the only antidote to materialism" and the "health and wealth gospel dishonors Christ." Indeed, for many, this could be a life-changing book.
A Review of The Treasure Principle from Scripture Truth Book Company at Scripturetruth.com
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. This 4 ½" X 6 ½" hardback book of 93 pages is one of the best presentations of Christian giving we have ever seen. The author is honest and insightful. We recommend this book!
The Treasure Principle —A review by Deborah Tompkins Johnson
I thought I was reading this book for you because the topic of giving seems like an important one. But as it turned out, I needed to read it for me. Though I wanted to read The Treasure Principle—Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving, I didn't think I needed it. I believed I was pretty good at giving, and my husband is extremely generous. Together, I figured we had this concept of giving conquered: We tithe at our church and give additional offerings. We contribute to other ministries outside of our church as well as to charities. And, hey, we even give where needed to family and friends.
According to Randy Alcorn's The Treasure Principle, we're on the right path, but we have more work to do.
True Joy in Giving
To be truly joyful in giving, Alcorn writes that we need to think beyond what our material possessions can do for us on earth. We have to think, well, eternally. That's a huge step. I don't think it's a mindset anyone on earth would come up with. It's an idea straight from God: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).
Alcorn explains earthly treasure is not bad, it simply doesn't last. Or as we have heard before, "You can't take it with you."
The Money Connection
The Treasure Principle takes us step by step to learn about committed, joyful giving. Alcorn talks in his book about a "money connection." Using scripture, Alcorn points out that our spiritual lives and our possessions are intertwined.
The suggestion that our spirituality and our money are connected, reminded me of the story of Adam and Eve told in The Holy Bible. This couple gave up paradise for a possession—a bite of food! Think how much more wonderful life would have been for them if they had focused on God and heaven instead of centering their heart's desire on a thing.
We face similar choices everyday, just with different things. If we put God first, then we can have benefit of His wonderful blessings here on earth and even more so in heaven. However, if our hearts are disproportionately focused on possessions and money, then our reward is at best, temporary.
The Treasure Principle helps us understand the "money connection" and then moves us on from there. Alcorn goes on to define the treasure principle, discusses benefits of giving, roadblocks and how to get started. By the time you've completed the book, you've been given six keys to the "treasure principle."
The Treasure Principle is one possession worth investing in. But don't keep it for yourself. After you've read this book make it one of those things you give away. The Treasure Principle is available at bookstores and on-line. You can read more about the author, Randy Alcorn at www.faithfulreader.com and at www.epm.org (Eternal Perspective Ministries).
This review originally appeared in "Impressions" which appears in The Potomac News-Manassas Journal Messenger. You can reach Deborah at deborah@shepherdsvoiceministries.org.
Find Joy When You Give by Whitney Hopler (Live It Editor, Crosswalk.com)
You can give joyfully if you're seeking true treasure
You know God wants you to give money to your church and other organizations that do good work. But fulfilling your duty is one thing, and getting excited by it is another. In fact, you may not be giving as much as God would like you to, because you're just not very motivated.
How do you find the cheerfulness God says in the Bible that He loves to see when people give? Pursue the treasure God wants you to have.
Here are some ways you can discover joy when you give:
- Realize that investing your money in earthly things will provide a limited and temporary payoff at best. Possessions themselves can't satisfy you, and often end up possessing you rather than vice versa, because they demand so much time and energy to maintain. When you die, you must leave every penny of your money behind.
- Understand that investing your money in eternal ways is guaranteed to pay big dividends, because God has promised to bless gifts faithfully consecrated to Him and use them in ways that bless the givers and others.
- Acknowledge that it's God who has given you the ability to earn an income, and that all your money is ultimately His. Commit to managing that money as effectively as possible, relying on God's wisdom.
- Don't wait until you feel like giving to actually give. Start giving out of obedience—because you know it's what God wants you to do and you want to respond faithfully to God. After you begin to give, God will send you joy, and that joy will motivate you to keep giving.
- Remember God's generosity—Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and the many blessings God has poured into your life. Seek to express your thankfulness to God by giving as an act of worship, and allow His love to flow through you to others as you act in generous ways.
- Make sure that your expenditures match your values. If you truly value God's work on earth, you'll give financially to support it.
- Wholeheartedly embrace God's vision for efforts that you sense Him leading you to support. When you immerse yourself in God's plans, you'll get excited about them, and will want to help bring them to fruition.
- Get out of debt and avoid future debts so your money isn't tied up in places God doesn't want it to be, limiting your ability to serve Him. Before you buy a particular good or service, ask yourself whether it truly reflects your values, and whether you might do better if you were to spend your money in another way.
- Talk with others about how God is using your giving to help you grow, and listen to their stories of giving and how they've grown as a result. Together, celebrate God's work in your lives.
