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catrev's review against another edition
5.0
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn is one of many books on the market encouraging Christians to give first to the Lord and trust in His blessings. This books stands head and shoulders above others in this genre because the author truly lives the message of which he writes. Alcorn, who is well known for his many books, especially Heaven, lives on minimum wage. All of his books belong to his church which donates 90% of the profits to charities close to Alcorn's heart. Compare this to other pastors who tell you to tithe, and that you can start by mailing your money directly to them! Alcorn's Treasure Principle is that when we are good stewards of the gifts that God has given us on earth, He will reward us, and we will store up treasures accordingly in Heaven. He uses as an example: if I offered you $1000 today or if you waited, $10,000,000 in a year and then again every year after forever, which would you take? Anyone taking the $1000 would be sacrificing a greater treasure for small happiness today. I know this is a sin I am guilty of, but Alcorn's book offers hope and straightforward reasons for me to repent. It's a thoroughly enjoyable book with a wonderful message.
jordantaylor's review against another edition
1.0
Randy Alcorn, a pastor in Oregon, has written a string of small, pocket-sized books with inviting covers.
This one, "The Treasure Principle," invites you to be free of worldly treasures, and store up eternal treasures in Heaven instead.
The tone of this book is urgent, excited, and infectious.
However, I had expected that Alcorn would lean more toward pleasing God than pleasing himself / yourself by giving riches away. The premise he lays out to his readers is that if you give away 1 penny here on earth, you'll get a penny saved for you up in Heaven. If you give away millions, you'll get millions. It's a win-win!
So... if you believe this... you aren't really giving up anything. You're just saving money for yourself - indeed, better money, since money in Heaven lasts for forever and ever.
I feel that he has revealed his selfishness here, and perhaps his adopted practice of giving has led to a longing for wealth (which, if this book is correct, he has waiting for him).
True, the book did not focus wholly on saving up riches "for yourself," but it certainly was what I took away from it, in quite strong doses.
This one, "The Treasure Principle," invites you to be free of worldly treasures, and store up eternal treasures in Heaven instead.
The tone of this book is urgent, excited, and infectious.
However, I had expected that Alcorn would lean more toward pleasing God than pleasing himself / yourself by giving riches away. The premise he lays out to his readers is that if you give away 1 penny here on earth, you'll get a penny saved for you up in Heaven. If you give away millions, you'll get millions. It's a win-win!
So... if you believe this... you aren't really giving up anything. You're just saving money for yourself - indeed, better money, since money in Heaven lasts for forever and ever.
I feel that he has revealed his selfishness here, and perhaps his adopted practice of giving has led to a longing for wealth (which, if this book is correct, he has waiting for him).
True, the book did not focus wholly on saving up riches "for yourself," but it certainly was what I took away from it, in quite strong doses.
justkatiejust's review against another edition
3.0
Read this for a church study.
I don't think this book was bad, it just felt like there were many points that encouraged giving to keep eternal treasures rather than giving for the purpose of pleasing the Lord. Several chapters felt as though they leaned this way, and it felt like a mark was missed somewhere.
I don't think this book was bad, it just felt like there were many points that encouraged giving to keep eternal treasures rather than giving for the purpose of pleasing the Lord. Several chapters felt as though they leaned this way, and it felt like a mark was missed somewhere.
troy_07's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
blakemacnelly's review against another edition
3.0
I’d give it a 3.5. There were good moments of the book that stood out and helped me reflect on how I view what I have in my possession; moments where I felt an increased desire to love others well and give, rather than just invest in wants.
But the tone, writing style, and overall feel of the book was something I did not enjoy. It felt like a 10-steps, self-help book. I didn’t agree with certain things the author writes, like a section on not leaving his daughters with too much when he dies so that they will trust God and depend on their husbands...
Honestly, it took me an hour to read, and there is more good than bad if you can overlook the salesman tone that floats throughout it.
But the tone, writing style, and overall feel of the book was something I did not enjoy. It felt like a 10-steps, self-help book. I didn’t agree with certain things the author writes, like a section on not leaving his daughters with too much when he dies so that they will trust God and depend on their husbands...
Honestly, it took me an hour to read, and there is more good than bad if you can overlook the salesman tone that floats throughout it.
thesimplepastor's review against another edition
4.0
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn was the 50th book and it turns out to be a favourite.
I'm always slightly worried before reading books on giving by American pastors. I have a fear that by the end I'll be reading some prosperity nonsense, fortunately in this case the fear is completely unfounded. Randy Alcorn understands giving, he loves giving, he wants more people to give much, much more. The guy seriously gets generosity.
This is only a small book, pocket sized and 120 pages, it won't take long to read but if you take it seriously you'll be working it out for a lifetime. This book packs a punch. I will recommend it to my church but I'm also thinking of buying every household a copy. We need to get it. Anyway, you may have gathered by now that I quite like this book. Here's what he says:
The Treasure Principle is a simple paraphrase of Jesus. So 'store up for yourself treasures in heaven' becomes 'You can't take it with you - but you can send it on ahead.' When you die everything is left behind except what you used to invest in heaven. He then gives six keys to unlocking the treasure principle, each one memorable, clearly explained and joyfully applied. I thought most of the examples worked here in the UK because it stuck to biblical principles and the application was well thought out.
If you or your church are caught up in materialism then buy this book and have fun living it out. Highly recommended!
I'm always slightly worried before reading books on giving by American pastors. I have a fear that by the end I'll be reading some prosperity nonsense, fortunately in this case the fear is completely unfounded. Randy Alcorn understands giving, he loves giving, he wants more people to give much, much more. The guy seriously gets generosity.
This is only a small book, pocket sized and 120 pages, it won't take long to read but if you take it seriously you'll be working it out for a lifetime. This book packs a punch. I will recommend it to my church but I'm also thinking of buying every household a copy. We need to get it. Anyway, you may have gathered by now that I quite like this book. Here's what he says:
The Treasure Principle is a simple paraphrase of Jesus. So 'store up for yourself treasures in heaven' becomes 'You can't take it with you - but you can send it on ahead.' When you die everything is left behind except what you used to invest in heaven. He then gives six keys to unlocking the treasure principle, each one memorable, clearly explained and joyfully applied. I thought most of the examples worked here in the UK because it stuck to biblical principles and the application was well thought out.
If you or your church are caught up in materialism then buy this book and have fun living it out. Highly recommended!
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