Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secrets of Joyful Giving. Multnomah, 2005. See also The Law of Rewards (2003).
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Alcorn is a gifted communicator and popular author. He authored devotional-style volumes that may be helpful to church leaders. The first is The Treasure Principle, as featured here. It is an inspirational and convicting piece that seeks to move Christians away from “affluenza” in self-indulgence and the accumulation of earthly riches to “storing up treasures in heaven” through Christ-centered generosity. The second is The Law of Rewards, which focuses on the eternal rewards Christians will experience based on their actions on earth. It builds on Jesus’ encouragement to “store up treasures in Heaven” (Matt. 6), which is repeated by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:16-18, that “those who are rich in this present world” should be “rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing so share. In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.”
These may help church leaders in two ways. One, Alcorn is a gifted communicator whose style may spark one’s own creativity in teaching and preaching. Second, these smaller works may be good to put into the hands of church members during congregationa stewardship efforts. Be sure and consult Alcorn’s more substantive comprehensive volume of financial stewardship, Money, Possessions, and Eternity.
From the Publisher
Flip-Flop Your Concept of Giving
Bestselling author Randy Alcorn introduced readers to a revolution in material freedom and radical generosity with the release of the original The Treasure Principle in 2001. Now the revision to the compact, perennial bestseller includes a provocative new concluding chapter depicting God asking a believer questions about his stewardship over material resources. Readers are moved from the realms of thoughtful Bible exposition into the highly personal arena of everyday life. Because when Jesus told His followers to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” He intended that they discover an astounding secret: how joyful giving brings God maximum glory and His children maximum pleasure.
Discover a joy more precious than gold
Priceless treasure is within your reach. And with it, liberating joy.
In Randy Alcorn’s The Treasure Principle, you’ll unearth a radical teaching of JesusÑa secret wrapped up in giving. Once you discover this secret, life will never look the same. And you wonÕt want it to!
Story Behind the Book
After years of writing and teaching on the theme “God owns everything,” in 1990 Randy Alcorn was sued by an abortion clinic (for peaceful, nonviolent intervention for the unborn). Suddenly he had to resign as a pastor and was restricted to making minimum wage. Legally unable to own anything, Randy gave all his book royalties to missions work and need-meeting ministries. He and his family have experienced the reality of The Treasure Principle -that God really does own everything, takes care of us, and graciously puts assets into our hands that we might have the joy and privilege of investing in what will last for eternity.
Editorial Reviews
”Supercharged with stunning, divine truth! Lightning struck over and over as I read it.” – John Piper , Senior Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church , Minneapolis
”The Treasure Principle will change your life! This book is destined to become a classic.” – Howard Dayton , Co-CEO, Crown Financial Ministries
”The Scripture passages and illustrations really ring true. Just what I needed!” – Hugh Maclellan , President, The Maclellan Foundation
”I enthusiastically endorse The Treasure Principle. I hope millions will read it.” – Ronald W. Blue, Founder and CEO, Ronald Blue & Company
About the Author
Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to 1990, when he started EPM, he served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has spoken around the world and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
Other Ministry Resource Guides on Church Administration:
- Administration, General Manuals
- Architecture and Building Issues
- Finance
- Giving and Financial Stewardship
- Management – Leader-Manager Continuum
- Marketing and Communications
- Personnel, Ministerial Evaluation
- Tax, Legal, and Risk-Management Issues
- Technology
- Web Resources, Church Administration
See Resources on Over 100 Areas of Ministry Leadership: