The Treasure Principle summary & review (by Randy Alcorn)

‘The Treasure Principle’ by Randy Alcorn is recognized for its compelling perspective on wealth and generosity from a Christian viewpoint. It has been acclaimed for offering practical and spiritual guidance on managing finances in a way that honors God.

Book Details:

Title: The Treasure Principle
Author: Randy Alcorn
Genre: Christian Literature, Financial Self-Help
Publication Date: 2001
ISBN: 978-0-9723241-5-0

About the Author:

Randy Alcorn is a respected author and founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries, known for his works on Christian living and biblical principles of stewardship. His expertise in financial counseling from a Christian perspective makes him a credible voice on the subject.

Summary of “The Treasure Principle”:

“The Treasure Principle” unveils the concept of viewing wealth through the lens of eternity, emphasizing Christian values of generosity and stewardship. Alcorn discusses how believers can find joy and fulfillment by using their resources for God’s purposes, presenting wealth as a tool for spiritual growth and kingdom building.

Selected Passages Randy Highlighted in the Book:

In Matthew 6, Jesus fully unveils the foundation of what I call the Treasure Principle. It’s one of His most-neglected teachings.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Consider what Jesus is saying: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Why not? Because earthly treasures are bad? No. Because they won’t last.

Scripture says, “Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle” (Proverbs 23:5). What a picture. Next time you buy a prized possession, imagine it sprouting wings and flying off. Sooner or later it will disappear.

But when Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, it’s not just because wealth might be lost: it’s because wealth will always be lost. Either it leaves us while we live or we leave it when we die. No exceptions. (12, 13)
Jesus is talking about deferred gratification. The man who finds the treasure in the field pays a high price now by giving up all he has—but soon he’ll gain a fabulous treasure. As long as his eyes are on that treasure, he makes his short-term sacrifices with joy… Present joy comes from anticipating future joy. (16)
Jesus promises that those who sacrifice on earth will receive “a hundred times as much” in heaven (Matthew 19:29)
The Treasure Principle: You can’t take it with you—but you can send it on ahead. (18)
Of course, there are many good things God wants us to do with the money that don’t involve giving it away. It is essential, for instance, that we provide for our family’s basic material needs (1 Timothy 5:8). But these good things are only a beginning. The money God entrusts to us here on earth is eternal investment capital. Every day is an opportunity to buy up more shares in His kingdom. (19)
The less I spent on myself and the more I gave to others, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul become. – Hudson Taylor (21)
Treasure Principle Key #1 God owns everything. I’m his money manager. (25)
One of our central spiritual decisions is determining what is a reasonable amount to live on. Whatever that amount is—and it will legitimately vary from person to person—we shouldn’t hoard or spend the excess. After all, it’s His, not ours. And He has something to say about where to put it. (27)
There have been days when I’ve lost focus, and then a need arises and God leads me to give. Suddenly I’m infused with energy, purpose and joy. I feel God’s pleasure. (32)
Giving jump-starts our relationship with God. It opens our fists so we can receive what God has for us. When we see what it does for others and for us, we open our fists sooner and wider when the next chance comes.
In Isaiah 58:6—10, God says that His willingness to answer our prayers is directly affected by whether we are caring for the hungry, needy, and oppressed. Want to empower your prayer life? Give. (33)
Eyes on Eternity

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” — Matthew 16:17 (36)
As I’ve written elsewhere, heaven will be a place of rest and relief from the burdens of sin and suffering; but it will also be a place of great learning, activity, artistic expression, exploration, discovery, camaraderie, and service. (38)
God also grants us rewards for generous giving: “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Matthew 19:21).

Jesus is keeping track of our smallest acts of kindness: “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).
Many benefits of our present giving will come to us in heaven…. Our “friends” in heaven will be those whose lives we’ve touched on earth, who will have their own “eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9 seems to say our friends’ eternal dwellings are places where we stay and fellowship, perhaps as we move about the heavenly kingdom. The money we give to help others on earth will open doors of fellowship with them in heaven. Now that’s something to get excited about! (40)
Treasure Principle Key #3 Heaven, not earth, is my home. (47)
Every item we buy is one more thing to think about, talk about, clean, repair, rearrange, fret over, and replace when it goes bad. (54)
If materialism is the poison, what’s the antidote? Paul offers an answer:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) (57)
Treasure Principle Key #5 Giving is the only antidote to materialism. (58)

I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess. – Martin Luther (61)
Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops” (emphasis mine). God’s children give to Him first, not last. (62)
Tithing isn’t the ceiling of giving; it’s the floor. It’s not the finish line of giving; it’s just the starting blocks. Tithes can be the training wheels to launch us into the mind-set, skills, and habits of grace giving. (64)
When God’s people were robbing Him by withholding tithes and offerings, He said, “Test me in this. . . and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10) (66)
Ironically, many people can’t afford to give precisely because they’re not giving (Haggai 1:9-11). If we pay our debt to God first, then we will incur His blessing to help us pay our debts to men. (66)
Give It Now or Give It Later?… I don’t believe it’s ever wrong to give now. (68, 69)
Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38)
The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the universe, and He won’t let you outgive Him. Go ahead and try. See what happens. (73)
God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving. (73)
God comes right out and tells us why He gives us more money than we need.

It’s so we can give – generously.

When God provides more money, we often think, This is a blessing. Well, yes, but it would be just as scriptural to think, This is a test. (75)
Ask yourself, Five minutes after I die, what will I wish I would have given away while I still had the chance? When you come up with an answer, why not give it away now? Why not spend the rest of our lives closing the gap between what we’ll wish we would have given and what we really are giving? (81)
Affirming that heaven, not earth, is my home and Christ is my Lord, I commit myself to lay out His assets before Him regularly—leaving nothing as untouchable—and ask His direction for what to do with and where to give His money. I’ll start with this question: “What am I hanging on to that You want me to give away?” (91, 92)
Is there really a danger in giving too much too soon? Or is the true danger giving too little too late? (108)
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9) (117)
A prudent wife is from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:14) (117)

Who Would Benefit From This Book?

This book is an ideal read for Christians seeking to align their financial practices with their faith, individuals interested in spiritual perspectives on wealth, and anyone looking for guidance on living a more generous, purposeful life. It’s particularly suited for those interested in “books on biblical financial principles” or “inspirational Christian literature on stewardship”.

“The Treasure Principle” popular quotes:

“You can’t take it with you — but you can send it on ahead.”
“God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.”
“The more treasures we store up in heaven, the more our hearts will be inclined toward heaven.”
“When we give, we acknowledge that God owns everything.”
“Our perspective on money and possessions in this life greatly affects our eternal experience in the life to come.”

Related Books:

“Money, Possessions, and Eternity” by Randy Alcorn
“God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School” by John Cortines and Gregory Baumer
“Managing God’s Money” by Randy Alcorn

Readers who enjoyed “The Treasure Principle” might also find value in Bob & Linda’s book: Simple Money, Rich Life. Find the connections between financial principles and modern financial strategies to enrich your own financial life!