The Treasure Principle
Randy Alcorn's "The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving" is simply one of the best books I have ever read on the topic of giving. This small book is packed with solid teaching, challenging points for reflection, and a healthy dose of motivation. It transforms giving from a responsibility and duty into a privilege and joy.
While Alcorn believes the starting point of giving is the biblical standard of the tithe, or 10 percent of one's income, he is quick to clarify that he does not mean to support a legalistic view of giving. He points out that Jesus was much more interested in people's hearts than their strict adherence to old testament laws. At the same time, he reminds readers that Jesus never lowered the bar; he raised it from avoiding murder, as an example, to the more challenging standard of avoiding anger.
Alcorn encourages readers to excel at giving, following the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 8:7: "But just as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -- see that you also excel in this grace of giving." For Alcorn, this is no theoretical exercise. Throughout the book, he relates powerful stories from his own life where he learned to loosen his grip on more and more of his money and material possessions. The joy he discovered in doing so is very motivating.
He also dispels the give-to-get mentality. While he reminds readers of God's promise to provide, he asks them to consider why God gives to us so generously. For the answer, he points to 2 Corinthians 9:11: "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion." Clearly, Alcorn is excited about giving, and his excitement is infectious. Reading "The Treasure Principle" gave me a greater understanding of what the bible teaches about giving, and left me feeling inspired to give more.
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