Money, Possessions, and Eternity: A Comprehensive Guide to What the Bible Says about Financial Stewardship, Generosity, Materialism, Retirement, Financial Planning, Gambling, Debt, and More

You must have this in your library.
I really like this book mostly because it is comprehensive, covering nearly every money subject except budgeting. I believe there are enough budgeting books out there already. But if you want to see what the Bible has to say about money from nearly every angle, this book has it covered. I’m not sure I agree with every conclusion Randy comes to about giving, but you won’t come away with the same perspective on money in general after reading it. I finished it a month ago and am still contemplating every day about how I should honor God with what money He has given me. I would say this a great complement to the books written by Larry Burkett and Ron Blue.I have led three Sunday School series on money, have been certified as a money counselor in our church and still came away with many new ideas after reading this book. I am recommending it to many of my friends. Now I’m ready to create a whole new Sunday School series based on this book.

Be careful with this one …
Randy Alcorn does a most excellent work in successfully communicating many of the intangibles around the proper handling of money and possessions for the Christian, in light of eternity. Eternity is key to every concise argument made – it’s a matter of “a right perspective – an eternal perspective.” He is clearly gifted with keen insight and skill in helping each of us carefully evaluate our potential for mindless routine behavior, devoid of biblical expectations.Of the vast material read over the last year, this book has had the greatest impact upon me from a behavioral standpoint. There are many things we read that might change our thinking, or impact our attitude about a given matter. However, there are few writings, apart from the Bible with the latent potential to impact behavior to the degree of this book. The message has everything to do with how we handle the financial resources, talent, time, and any other area of life for which we are considered stewards. Unfortunately, much of the Christian life is lived incongruent to so much of what we say we believe. Is it no wonder so many of us have lost our Christian witness before a waiting and watching world. Our actions speak louder than our words. In most cases, the surrounding culture has much greater influence upon us to accept their lifestyles as the norm, rather than the church influencing the surrounding culture.Indeed, how we handle money says much about our character toward people and toward our King – Jesus. As noted in the text by Richard Halverson, “…Money is an exact index to a man’s character.” To this end, Alcorn categorically defines and addresses each and every area of stewardship in the life of a Christian and offers the appropriate biblical support for each.Alcorn carefully defines the destructive nature of materialism in the American culture and within the modern-day church. Both spectrums, from asceticism to materialism are dangerous in the life of the Christian. The instruction to the reader is addressed from the proper perspective of a steward who owns nothing but is working on behalf of the true owner. The steward is entrusted with all that he has and must eventually give an account for his actions – whether wise, or unwise. Alcorn’s approach is to help the reader better understand the spirit of the text in that it’s not just about the money. The product (Scripture would suggest fruit; Matt. 7:16; John 15:1-8) of the Christian’s life is the result or consequence of a relationship with someone (viz., Jesus Christ) and His ultimate authority and kingship in the lives of His faithful servants. Essentially, all people everywhere have a couple of options or motivations for serving one of two masters; Jesus Christ, or the common coin. There are consequential destinations and rewards for each which must be reconciled.Alcorn’s portrayal of the Christian as a pilgrim is also a fitting and meaningful analogy in that his thinking suggests we are not to sink our roots to deeply in this earthly soil as it only further complicates the process of up-rooting and moving on. Yet, this is our default tendency – to settle-in and make this world our home. The proper mindset of a pilgrim is critical to the overall success of the mission of the individual, family, and church.Additional attention is given to a myriad of issues including lifestyle, missions, retirement, insurance, and a litany of other areas impacted by our attitude toward money, possessions, and one’s perspective upon eternity.As previously mentioned, few books have been as convincing to the point of behavioral modification. This book had a REAL impact upon me and my general outlook not just toward money, but toward life renewed as an operational steward of the Kingdom.

Well worth the price in every way

A wealth of biblical foundations, personal experiences and practical applications! Recommend to anyone who handles money!

This was a thoughtful, entertaining, deep and profound book about eternal rewards and the joys of living the right life here and now.