Book Review of The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

John D. Rockefeller was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived. After he died someone asked his accountant, How much money did John D. leave?” The reply was classic: “he left....all of it.”



If that point is clear in your mind, you're ready to hear the secret of the Treasure Principle. (pg. 18)



The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn is a short readable book based on a set of principles each built on top of each other. The first principle is that everything we have, including all our money, is God's. The second principle is that if we treat all we own as the Lord's we will spend it according to God's will. This involves seeking out how God wants us to spend His money. The third principle is that if we truly are seeking God's will in how to spend His money then we will be giving sacrificially.

The impetus is the focus. Alcorn expounds on his “Treasure Principle” which comes from the words of Jesus:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and hwere thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thjieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)




If we keep our mind on our eternal treasure we will willingly give up our temporary one. In one chapter he tells of a widow who fasts every Thursday in order to use the money she's saved to buy food for others.

Alcorn discusses not only how we should be spending our money but, as Christians, who and what we should be spending our money on. He compares the different viewpoints of tithing, concluding with his own. He also talks about the fruits that God promises to people who see themselves as the managers or caretakers of God's money rather than regarding it as their own.


Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38


What Alcorn has to say is convicting and requires a lot of faith to follow. Lest anyone think, “Well sure, easy for him to say. He's a successful author and pastor” I'll point out that Alcorn is practising what he preaches. Some years ago he peacefully protested outside an abortion clinic. He was arrested and put in jail. The judge awarded the clinic a substantial amount of money. Alcorn refused to pay it because he didn't want any of his income going to an industry that profits from infanticide. The judge then demanded his church pay a quarter of his wages to the clinic each month. To prevent this from happening Alcorn resigned. He now can make no more than minimum wage to avoid garnishment. Recently the ten year statute of limitations came up and Alcorn would have been able to receive his salary again but the judge awarded an extension of another ten years. What does Alcorn have to say about all of this?

What others intended for evil, God intended for good (Genesis 50:20). ..My inability to legally own assets was nothing I sought after and nothing to be congratulated for, but God used it to help me understand what He means by “Everything under heaven belongs to Me.” Job 41:11 (pg. 23)

In conclusion The Treasure Principle is a good book to read but don't do so unless you want to be convicted.
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multonomah book publishers in exchange for my honest review.
 
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