The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving (LifeChange Books) (Hardcover)

by Randy Alcorn (Author) "All your life, you've been on a treasure hunt..." (more)
Key Phrases: earthly treasures, John Wesley, First Covenant, Treasure Principle

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
"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 fifteen percent 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.
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Product Description
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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (September 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590525086
• ISBN-13: 978-1590525081
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,800 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian Living > Stewardship
  #9 in	Books > Business & Investing > Personal Finance > Money & Values
  #13 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Ethics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Packs a punch!, March 25, 2006

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

-- Who wants to know why their giving doesn't work?
-- Why, when you give, is the joy not there?
-- Why, when the pastor does a series on giving at the beginning of the year is there a feeling that the church is trying to get into your wallet?
-- If we think about tithing, why is there endless debate on gross versus net?
-- Why, if we are trying to make prosperity giving work, do we feel fear that if we give, God won't give back in a large enough measure?

Dr. Alcorn deals with these questions and more in the delightful little book. This is a book for those who really want to understand God's perspective on giving. It is not "give and I'll bless you back," though He does say that He loves cheerful givers. It is not about the amount or percentage that we give. It is not about when or where we give. It is about our hearts and giving.

Are you willing to explore the thought, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal"? The Treasure Principle drills down on this thought and other key verses that help the reader understand that God is concerned about what our focus and perspective are, not on how much money we give. He is concerned about where our hearts are--compared to where they should be--not where our pocketbook is. He is concerned about the treasures we are collecting--and where we are storing them.

Armchair Interviews says: This little book packs a punch, and it is backed by Dr. Alcorn's own experience of seeing The Treasure Principle at work in his life and the lives of those involved with his ministry.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Escape the slavery of materialism!, August 11, 2006

By	No one of consequence (Maineville, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Finally, a book that is able to encourage joyful, sacrificial grace giving without brow-beating people with a guilt-trip on tithing! Finally, a book that takes a scripturally sound approach to this important area of Christian doctrine and practice! Finally, a book that offers hope to escape the bonds of slavery to our own materialism!

Pastor Randy Alcorn does a marvellous job in this small volume of unpacking truckloads of truth about how God intends His people to handle the money He entrusts to their stewardship. God intends for us to invest it, in ever increasing proportions, for the expansion of His kingdom -- not ours. God also intends for us to learn what it really means to trust Him, as He prompts and enables us to give "even when the bottom line says we can't."

God's "inexpressible gift" of giving is counterintuitive to most of us. Our normal mindset, heavily influenced by the world's materialistic bent, is to horde as much wealth as possible for ourselves. This is true even in the church, where more and more believers are giving themselves over to the materialism that our culture says we are entitled to pursue and enjoy.

It pains my heart when I see believers who will spend many hundreds of thousands of dollars for a 4,000 square foot house, and tens of thousands of dollars on a new luxury car or SUV, but can't seem to find a hundred bucks to support a short term mission trip. Those dear brothers and sisters are caught in a snare of the enemy. Randy Alcorn's small but powerful book tells them how to escape -- by giving away worldly wealth to store up eternal riches.

Scripture teaches, and I have found by my own experience, that the more we have, the more we want, and the more we have to worry about. When we implement the Treasure Principle in our own lives, God delivers us from the bondage of materialism and prepares a far richer, eternal inheritance that is out of all proportion to the pittance even the most generous of us are able to give in this life. We have experienced just a taste of this for ourselves, and look forward to the day when we can "excel in this grace also." Many thanks to Randy Alcorn for sharing his insights and experiences.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true Life changing study, August 20, 2006

By	Robert W. Fry (Pastor, Henderson, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hands down, this is one of the best studies ever done on the gift of giving. Randy Alcorn has done a surper job of taking a tough life issue and wraping it into a wonderful package. The treasure principle is simple: "You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead." This truth affects every aspect of our life as Christians.