Customer Reviews:
 Money With an Eternal Perspective May 6, 2008
Proof that good things come in small packages, this is about as power-packed as it gets in 95 pages. Alcorn challenges our cultural obsession with stuff through his call to "send it on ahead." He argues that the prospect of reward is not wrong in and of itself, it is simply that we often aim for earthly rather than eternal rewards. We are focused on having it all here instead of using the resources God entrusts to us for others now and receiving eternal rewards later. This book provides a great argument against the prosperity gospel, especially in Alcorn's phrase, "God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving." This book is simply the application of logic to the truth of the Bible. If God is real and the Bible is true, and the Bible teaches that eternal life is real, then it only makes sense to live for that which will produce the most eternal good and bring the most glory to God.
Great book February 16, 2008
This book gives some great basic principles to think about. It is a short read and only takes maybe 3 hours at the most to get through (probably even less if you're not a slow reader like me). I liked this so much that I've probably given almost a dozen of these away as gifts. And another great thing about it being so short is that even those who aren't much into reading will usually read it if they get it as a gift. If you like this book and want to read more on the subject then I recommend "Money, Possessions, and Eternity" also by Randy Alcorn.
 Fresh perspective November 19, 2007
Alcorn, a former pastor and prolific author, explains the need to invest in eternity. He asks: "why should we save and buy things we cannot take with us when we die?"
Indeed, he suggests setting a budget with a fairly low standard of living, and giving the rest away to your church or other Christian charities.
He warns against hoarding money for the future or leaving your children an inheritance. Instead, he says we should give now and give often to the Lord's work.
Alcorn's perspective is refreshing and, mostly, dead right. But his message, at least in this book, may be misinterpreted by some.
He vigorously reacts against those who save too much for the future because it makes them less dependent on God. He says you should only provide for part of your future needs. Yet we still have to plan/save for retirement.
How much should be "our" part to save? At what point does saving too little make us irresponsible as opposed to spiritual?
How exactly this tension is resolved is unclear. But I'm working on his longer book, Money, Possessions and Eternity, and I expect that his concept is more fully explained there.
Great book. Don't miss it! September 7, 2007
Sincere, thought-provoking, soul-searching, and life changing book. I highly recommend it. It will not only be worth every penny you spend on it but if you take it to heart will also cause all your future spending, saving, and investing to be stretched and better utilized. However, I do recommend this as a follow up to the book Money, Possessions, and Eternity by the same author. That one is absolutely a must-read book. If you can only read one I have to recommend Money, Possessions, and Eternity first.
Superb Little Book! May 15, 2007
This book is a great summary of the great benefits and blessings found in giving joyfully. Alcorn does not offer any handy formulas or explore any Scripture passages on giving in detail. Instead, he uses a broad brush to paint a picture of Christian giving. This book is small enough and affordable enough to be a part of any new member's packet a church may have. In this consumer-oriented, me-centered society in which we live, Alcorn's words here show us the way to experience fully Jesus' words, "It is better to give than to receive." This title is a good read for all Christian believers, a must-read for Christian leaders.
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