This is part 2 of my book review of The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. Yesterday I covered the first three chapters, and today I’ll cover the last three chapters.

Chapter 4 – Roadblocks to Giving
What are the roadblocks Christian face to giving and being more generous? Greed, insecurity, unbelief, our popular culture, etc. Alcorn argues that the greatest deterrent in giving is this: “the illusion that earth is our home”. Treasure Principle #3 “Heaven, not earth is my home.”

The Bible calls us as pilgrims, aliens of this earth, and that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. And Jesus tells us in John 14:2-3 that “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” If we really take Jesus at his word, this means all the homes and McMansions we dwell in pale in comparison to the home He is preparing for us. It is as temporary as a small town motel we lodge at as we pass through the country-side. Why do we furnish our motel room with expensive furniture and decorations? He who dies with the most toys does not in fact win.

Alcorn gives a visual illustration of our life here and in eternity. Imagine one dot, and then a line that extends from that dot forever. Our life is that dot in which we are now living. The line that extends from that dot is the eternity that we will spend in heaven. Following this analogy Alcorn gives Treasure Principle #4 “I should live not for the dot but for the line.”

All of us will one day part with our money and possessions. The only question is when. “We have no choice but to part with it later. But we do have a choice whether to part with it now. We can keep earthly treasures for the moment, and we may derive some temporary enjoyment from them. But if we give them away, we’ll enjoy eternal treasures that will never be taken from us.”

The book of Ecclesiastes gives us wise thoughts to consider in chapter 5:10-15:
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him. Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.”

Money never satisfies no matter how much we make. The more you own and possess, the more you have to worry about. And ultimately just as you did not bring anything into this world, you won’t take anything with you into the next life.

We ought to do good with our money and possessions while we can. Give to the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked. Our temporal money can have an eternal impact. Treasure Principle #5: “Giving is the only antidote to materialism.” Alcorn argues, “As long as I still have something, I believe I own it. But when I give it away, I relinquish control, power, and prestige.”

Chapter 5 – Getting Started
Though there are mixed beliefs on the tithe for Christians, Alcorn suggests that 10% ought to be the starting point for us. At the risk of sounding legalistic, he suggests 10% to be the bare minimum. “Some say, ‘We’ll take this gradually. We’re starting with 5 percent.’ But that’s like saying, ‘I used to rob six convenience stores a year. This year, by His grace, I’m going to rob only three.’ The point is not to rob God less – it’s not to rob God at all.”

Alcorn also urges us to give now than later. Why? Because we don’t know what may happen tomorrow, and our hearts may change. We may not follow through in our giving plans. When richly provides for us, he also desires us to be greatly generous to others with it. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” Alcorn gives us one more principle: Treasure Principle Key #6 “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.”

Chapter 6 – For Such a Time As This
As Christians, we only get this life to use our resources in such a way to make a difference. Once the opportunity is gone, there are no second chances. Alcorn asks a thought-provoking question, “Five minutes after I die, what will I wish I would have given away while I still had the chance?” If you think of things, why not give those things away now while you still have a chance. In fact he even encourages the reader to go through the exercise of writing a pretend obituary. As you make a list of what you’ll be remembered for and all the things you accomplished in your life, perhaps it will be motivation to begin to live more intentionally.

In Esther 4:14, Mordecai says to Esther, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther was in just a certain position of power to save her countrymen and women and make a difference. Alcorn encourages us in the same way, “Are you educated and literate? Do you have food, clothing, shelter, a car, perhaps some electronic equipment? Then you are among the privileged, the world’s wealthy.” It is no accident or dumb luck that most Americans have been tremendously blessed financially. God desires for each of us to take up causes that would make an impact on this world and for His kingdom. Why not give away out of this abundance while you still can?

Sometimes I read books that give me a good kick in the butt. I can argue and disagree all I want with an author, but I can’t argue with Jesus. If the arguments and reasonings given are in fact true to God’s Word, then I ought to take heed. Alcorn does a great job of bringing both challenge and conviction in this book. For a short, 96 page book, it sure packs a punch.