Book Review: The Treasure Principle

As we live our lives, we are often told "whoever dies with the most toys wins." This world is constantly telling us to acquire more possessions. But what did Jesus tell us to do? In The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn explains this very principle which he says "unlocks the secret to joyful giving."

Alcorn bases this principle on two passages in Matthew: Matthew 13:44, from the Kingdom Parables, and Matthew 6:19-21, from the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 13:44 -- "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field."

Matthew 6:19-21 -- "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

This man in Matthew 13 sold all that he had- got rid of everything to obtain a treasure that is beyond any measure. Mr. Alcorn sees this story and advocates that we give to others, and by doing so store up our treasures in Heaven.

In order to unlock this secret of joyful giving, Alcorn lists 6 keys.

1. God owns everything. I am His money manager (ch. 3).
2. My heart always goes where I put God's money (ch. 4).
3. Heaven and the future New Earth, not this fallen earth, is my home (ch. 5).
4. I should not live for the dot [life on earth], but for the line [eternity in Heaven] (ch. 5).
5. Giving is the only antidote to materialism (ch. 5).
6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving (ch. 6).

This entire book is based on the fact that we must give. It's commanded by God. One excellent motivation Alcorn uses for giving is the example of generous unbelievers, such as Stephen King, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates. If these who are unsaved are giving away most of their wealth, should not we who have accepted Christ do the same?

As Alcorn wrote this book in 2000, he wrote it under the assumption that Jesus is referring to material treasures in Matthew 6. But as some rebuffed him on this, he updated the book with a new chapter to defend this view here in 2017. He finds 3 parallel passages that defend the giving of material possessions on earth to be equal with storing treasures in heaven.

Luke 12:31-34 -- "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Mark 10:21 -- "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me."

I Timothy 6:18-19 -- "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

These passages do advocate Christ's command to give here on earth, and echo that God will reward us for what we do here, including our giving. Now some may say this is an ungodly motivation--that desiring treasures in Heaven is a selfish motivation. But Alcorn gives this response: "If it were wrong to want them, Christ wouldn't offer rewards as motivation. Rewards are God's idea, not ours (43)."

Alcorn quotes C.T. Studd -- "Only one life, t'will soon be past; but only what's done for Christ will last (84)." He echoes this sentiment while encouraging others to give. We have only one life. We may have some possessions only once. Will we give to others while we have the chance? This book has encouraged me to do more of that. I hope it will for you too. 

To order either a hardcover or ebook copy of this book, please go to this link:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/1674/the-treasure-principle-by-randy-alcorn/#details

Bibliography:

Alcorn, Randy. The Treasure Principle. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah, 2017.

FTC Disclosure:

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Blogging for Books book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.