Money, Possessions, and Eternity

Rating:
Summary: Am I Reading The Same Book As Everyone Else?
Review: First, full-disclosure. I read another Alcorn book, Grace and Truth Paradox, and was very impressed with the author. Based on that experience, my interest in materialism, and the battle people have with it, I eagerly ordered Money, Possessions, and Eternity. I have not finished the book and based on what I have read so far I am not sure that I will.

I get the impression Alcorn comes from a position of bitterness or envy on the subject of materialism. At the very least it is a position of frustration. Because of his inability in the past to persuade people to eschew a life based upon materialism, he is taking the route of insulting them into stopping.

Previously his argument was that materialism is not scriptural. He was not successful with his effort to convince others to change and he now states that his argument is that materialism is stupid. Perhaps it is stupid, but his approach is hardly persuasive. In fact, it seems to make it easy to ignore what is otherwise a very valuable message.

He also engages in leaps of logic that are a marvel to behold if it weren't for the fact that they throw up a barrier in front of what he is trying to accomplish. It tracks like this.

Some Christians have inappropriately used Gods material blessings or not been good steward of financial blessings. Even though the blessings were created, ironically, in an economic system designed by God, seeking and enjoying material or financial blessings through legal means or methods - network marketing for example ?!? - is somehow bad and should be avoided by "true Christians".

That's rather like saying because "some Christians" have had illicit affairs in the back of a Pontiac, "true Christians" would never drive a Pontiac. Or because "some Christians" have joined the Mile High Club on Delta, "true Christians" should not fly. Or, if a blessed singer, instead of reflecting God's glory in their performance chose to bask in their own glory, "true Christians" should never sing in public again. Alcorn engages in leaps of logic that are of Olympic proportions.

I notice, again ironically, on Alcorn's website and at places like Amazon that he is selling his work for evil mammon and presumably doing so at a profit. Apparently he hasn't figured out a way to operate outside of the material world himself yet he seems to be demanding that everyone else do so. At the very least there is a level of materialism that would be appropriate to achieve in Alcorn's opinion but he does not, at least not thus far, identify what that level is.

As a side note, I have observed others inappropriately using the internet but I am not making the case that Alcorn should stop using the internet to hawk his wares. Alcorn would seem to not hesitate to make that argument if the shoe were on the other foot.

The striking contrast between Alcorn's position in M,P& E and his life is that I imagine Alcorn wears nice clothes, has acceptable transportation, lives in a warm, dry house and, from his picture at least, he seems to be getting at least 3 square meals a day. It would seem that he is enjoying God's financial and material blessings at least to some degree. This leads me to conclude that it isn't material blessing that is the issue but rather the failure of Christians to be excellent stewards of God's blessings. I believe that this is probably Alcorn's point but his style and attitude prevents him from communicating his position in a persuasive manner.

God provided these blessings for our enjoyment. Alcorn's reasoning has been hard to take and he, up to this point at least, gives the impression that what's on display is his dogmatic beliefs instead of making a sincere effort to persuade Christians to be better stewards of God's blessings.

More later if I can muster up the patience to continue with this book. It is because I am having to muster up the patience to continue that I am really frustrated with Alcorn's style and attitude on this important subject. Be cautious if are coming to this book as a result of Alcorn's work on another topic whether fiction or non-fiction. At least in my opinion so far, this book does not measure up to other Alcorn efforts.


Rating:
Summary: The Truth comes Out
Review: From page one to the very last page, Randy Alcorn is in tune with what God's Word has to say about how we handle money and possessions vs the way God wants us to handle money and possessions. It is a very direct and to the point volume of truths straight from God's Word. You won't put this down without an itch to pick it up and finish it.

Rating:
Summary: The Truth comes Out
Review: From page one to the very last page, Randy Alcorn is in tune with what God's Word has to say about how we handle money and possessions vs the way God wants us to handle money and possessions. It is a very direct and to the point volume of truths straight from God's Word. You won't put this down without an itch to pick it up and finish it.

Rating:
Summary: Common Sense Scriptural View of Temporal Drivers
Review: I am submitting this book for addition to The Baker Family Foundation family wealth position statement to guide future generations on material decision making directed to honor God for both family comsumption and Foundation use. Long sought for text for one believing to be God driven to accumulate wealth. Not for the temporally poor nor ungodly rich. A breathtaking relief of common sense from comprehensive scripture texts and commentary about money, possessions & eternity.

Rating:
Summary: Thorough & Challenging
Review: I have found this book to be the most thorough examination of money and the Christian's attitude toward it so far. It is a great book and a must as an ongoing resource.

I did not, however, agree with everything Randy says. Everyone has a bias and Randy's own history as a church 'pastor' shows with his seeming assumption that the institutional model of church is the only valid one worth focussing on. I found his teaching on tithing in particular lacked the same Scriptural credibility to the rest of the book with some bold assumptions made.

He also lumps 'healing theology' in with hyper-prosperity teaching which I felt was unfair and generalised.

That aside, I still think Randy's book is potentially life-changing particularly to Western materialistic Christians and commend him on tackling a touchy subject!

Rating:
Summary: Everyone needs to read this book
Review: I loved this book and how it helped me understand the principles of stewardship. My wife loved the book also and feels that we should re-read portions of it every year. Great chapters on materialism, saving and giving. Bottom-line, this book has the potential to change your life both on earth and in heaven.

Rating:
Summary: Everyone needs to read this book
Review: I loved this book and how it helped me understand the principles of stewardship. My wife loved the book also and feels that we should re-read portions of it every year. Great chapters on materialism, saving and giving. Bottom-line, this book has the potential to change your life both on earth and in heaven.

Rating:
Summary: A biblically sound, must read.
Review: If it burns, don't worry about it.

Rating:
Summary: true eye opener for God's instruction for handling money
Review: it's a great book and although i am not finished reading it yet the content is excellent and will be a blessing to those who want to do what's right with the money and the possessions that God's blesses them with to be stewards over.

Rating:
Summary: must read for church treasurers, pastors, and lay leaders
Review: oh boy.. you are going to get a kick out of this if you are a fellow ministry worker.. how is your church utilizing the offerings every year? are they biblically-wise choices or are they just following social conventions or their own best-guess answers? Randy's research based on his study and experience will be a real eye opener for a lot of people. Must read!!