The Treasure Principle

As much as I enjoyed posting to this blog, I have several blogs and could not maintain them all.

I have learned a lot in the past several years about stewardship and practically everything I have learned can be found in Randy Alcorn’s The Treasure Principle.

I highly recommend buying this book and reading and re-reading it. You will be blessed as you learn God’s principles so you might honor Him with the finances, possessions, time, and talents that He has given into your care.

Remaining Faithful to the End

Two men owned farms side by side. One was a bitter atheist, the other a devout Christian. Constantly annoyed at the Christian for his trust in God, the atheist said to him one winter, “Let’s plant our crops as usual this spring, each the same number of acres. You pray to your God and I’ll curse him. Then come October, let’s just see who has the bigger crop.”

When October came, the atheist was delighted because his crop was larger. “See, you fool,” he taunted. “What do you have to say for your God now?”

“My God,” replied the other farmer, “doesn’t settle all his accounts in October.”

God’s compensation for both believers and unbelievers is usually deferred. But a day is coming upon all men, when the announcement from heaven will ring out, “The time has come for judging … and for rewarding” (Revelation 11:18). This will be the “appointed time” of judgment (l Corinthians 4:5). “At the proper time,” Paul says elsewhere, “we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” So he encourages us, “Let us not become weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:9).

From In Light of Eternity by Randy Alcorn, page 129

Great Resource for Stewardship Research

I just found a great site today if you want to learn more about stewardship.

The Generous Giving website has three search functions that you might find useful:

• You can search the Bible about money and giving.
• You can search for sermons about stewardship (some are audio, some written out).
• You can search about money and giving by author as well.

Circumstances vs. Scriptures

“I stopped tithing and then I learned that I needed an expensive prescription,” Janis explained. “The amount I would have given was exactly enough to cover the prescription!”

“Wow!” I thought, as red flags popped up in my mind. “God promises to supply our needs. (Philippians 4:19) God also encourages us to give, not to stop giving! (Malachi 3: 6 – 11)”

Janis was excited at the “coincidence” that seemed to confirm her decision.

I was concerned that her circumstances did not line up with Scripture and that she was deceived.

I had an opportunity later to write Janis:

“I believe you should be giving financially as an expression of your praise and trust in God in the midst of need. This is a Biblical concept and also fits your role as an encourager who gives praise to God in the midst of need. You were amazed that you had the money for your expensive prescription. I can imagine a different scenario where you had continued to give and God supplied what you needed for the prescription or that you would have not needed the prescription at all. I cannot guess here what He would have done. I just know that God supplies our needs.”

If you find yourself in a similar situation, take a good hard look at your circumstances, study the Scriptures and ask for God’s wisdom. It’s especially important to gather advice from those who know the Word or have studied Biblical financial concepts. A good online resource is Crown Financial Ministries.