The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving (LifeChange Books) [Hardcover]

Randy Alcorn (Author)

Book Description

Series: LifeChange Books | Publication Date: October 9, 2001

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 Jesus—a secret wrapped up in giving. Once you discover this secret, life will never look the same. And you won’t want it to!

Pull Out Section:

Do it. Ask God what’s on your mind….

Open my eyes, Father. What am I holding on to that’s robbing me of present joy and future reward?

Discover the all-new prayer guide inside!



“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

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

About the Author

Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). He is the bestselling author of twenty books, with over one million in print, including the novels Deadline, Dominion, Lord Foulgrin’s Letters and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. His fourteen nonfiction works include ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments, and the stewardship classic Money, Possessions and Eternity. He and his wife, Nanci, live in Gresham , Oregon , and have two grown daughters, Karina and Angela. He enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research, and reading.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books; Special Edition edition (October 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576737802
• ISBN-13: 978-1576737804
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Randy Alcorn is an author and the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit ministry dedicated to teaching principles of God's Word and assisting the church in ministering to the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled, and unsupported people around the world. His ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity. He accomplishes this by analyzing, teaching, and applying the biblical truth.

Before starting EPM in 1990, Randy served as a pastor for fourteen years. He holds degrees in theology and biblical studies and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah University and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

Randy has written more than forty books, including the bestsellers Heaven, The Treasure Principle, and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. His books in print exceed five million and have been translated into over thirty languages. Randy has written for many magazines including EPM's quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives. He is active daily on Facebook and Twitter, has been a guest on more than 700 radio, television and online programs including Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Revive Our Hearts, The Bible Answer Man, and The Resurgence.

Randy resides in Gresham, Oregon, with his wife, Nanci. They have two married daughters and are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research, and reading.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Treasure, April 11, 2002

By 

Ashley Hodge (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving (LifeChange Books) (Hardcover)

This book is fantastic. It is concise, motivational, and profound. I read it the first time and thought it was great, and then went back and took notes for a second reading and thought it was even better. This would be a great book to study with a small group or just discussing as a book club with friends.

Alcorn does a great job of using illustrations and stories to motivate believers to think "eternally" about every giving, saving and spending decision. This is the heart of true stewardship.

The main principles of the book are important to memorize and carry them on our hearts:

Principle #1- God owns everything. I am His money manager.
Principle #2- My heart always goes where I put God's money.
Principle #3- Heaven, not Earth, is my home.
Principle #4- I should live for the line (eternity), not the dot(short life on earth).
Principle #5- Giving is the only antidote for materialism.
Principle #6- God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

I highly recommend this great book. The only drawback in my opinion is his focus on tithing and using Malachi 3:8-10 as a verse to support his belief that tithing still applies.

He makes compelling arguments for teaching tithing as a starting point (Christians give on average 2-3 percent of their income), but I believe the "Church" abuses this doctrine in most cases. The bigger message is stewardship. If believers understand that... the tithe is totally inapplicable. I agree with his heart on this issue, but disagree with his belief that the tithe should be taught.

But that is a minor deal in the overall scheme of things. The book is a treasure that I will pass out to friends, family and re-read many times until these principles are lived out in my own life.

Ashley Hodge, CFP
Southlake, TX

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Grandslam, December 29, 2001

By 

Keith Krell (Olympia, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving (LifeChange Books) (Hardcover)

If you are passionate about making your life count for eternity, it is essential that you read "The Treasure Principle." This book will teach you how to eternally invest your financial resources. Contrary to the health, wealth, and prosperity movement, Alcorn will challenge and motivate you from the Bible to use your money for the advancement of God's kingdom. Since we can't take any of our financial resources with us once we die, Alcorn encourages us to "send our money ahead" for the pure joy that comes from giving and also so that we will experience great rewards in eternity.

Because I'm a busy pastor and have much to read, I typically skim books but I couldn't do so with this book. Randy Alcorn is a life-changing writer who pierces my heart with his every word. When Alcorn writes, there are no singles; every sentence is a Home Run! This forces me to be an expectant reader and to discard my highlighter because everything should be highlighted. If you care about your eternal home, spend your money wisely and buy this book!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Teaching for the New or Struggling Christian, October 27, 2003

By 

R. Kirkham "jrkirkham" (Rushville, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving (LifeChange Books) (Hardcover)

Established Christians should already understand the truths brought forth in this small (92 page) book, but unfortunately, too many either do not or do not practice the truths they know. New Christians often have never heard the principles listed. Too many churches are too quiet on the subject of money. This book will make an excellent teaching tool for confirmation classes, discipleship groups, and home Bible studies.

This book does not cost much, will help Christians grow, and could help strengthen the church. The book is filled with pithy quotes like this one, "It's increasingly common for Christians to ask one another the tough questions: How is your marriage? Have you been spending time in the Word? How are you doing in terms of sexual purity? Have you been sharing your faith? but how often do we ask, 'How much are you giving to the Lord?' or 'have you been robbing God?' or 'Are you winning the battle against materialism?'" (p.81).

The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because it didn't present any information that was new to me.