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

Must read! Just starting the first chapter, I have to leave a review…this is a book everyone should read as we think through money & possessions from an eternal perspective. One day we will all stand and be accountable before God… we can’t say we didn’t know. Quote: “What we do with our money will- and I choose these words deliberately—influence the very course of eternity”-page 11 “We were made for only one person and one place”. Jesus is the person and heaven is the place. Our purpose should pervade our approach to money “- page 11

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.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what the Bible teaches about money, possessions, and eternal priorities. Randy Alcorn does an incredible job combining Scripture with practical wisdom, showing how financial decisions impact our lives now and for eternity. The insights are both challenging and encouraging—Alcorn doesn’t just give advice, he gives a biblical vision for living with purpose and generosity. This book has reshaped the way I view stewardship and has inspired me to align my finances more closely with God’s calling. Whether you’re new to faith or a seasoned believer, this book offers timeless truth that will transform how you handle money. Highly recommended for personal study or group discussion.

Best book I have ever read on finances (and I have read a lot of them!)

Full of ideas and personal stories. This book fully draws on the author's experience as a pastor. It's a great read. Still, I have a few complaints. (And yes, I am Catholic.) (1) On pages 22 - 23 where he talks about Mother Teresa removing carpets and hot water from the building, I believe it was their living quarters and they do this everywhere they set up a house for themselves, not for others. For their vow of poverty to be real, the sisters who come from the poorest part of the world should not experience an increase in standard of living when they join the religious order. So they get rid of luxuries. Also, for the other sisters who do not come from a poor background, it is a convenient source of mortification to do without luxuries. I don't think the good pastor knows much about mortification. (2) On pages 23 - 27 he says many good things about "The Inadequacies of Asceticism." That is, good for the layperson to read. But he is way off when he talks about the Catholic vow of poverty that religious take. Despite his many quotations and reflections in this section, the part he is missing was in his own words a few pages back, on pages 4 and 5. There, he described Christ's words to the rich young man as "sell all you have and come follow me." The pastor says this does not apply to all of Jesus' followers and in this he is correct. But he neglects to say that it DOES apply to some. Instead, he interprets the story as just a one-off instruction to that particular man for how to overcome his attachment to money. Is it beyond belief that the Holy Spirit would inspire some people to follow Christ in Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience? Protestants typically can't understand how this could be anyone's vocation. They fail to understand the history of the church. Many Christians have always imitated Jesus in this as a means of becoming a closer companion to him. Look at St. Paul. He says not all have to follow him in his lifestyle choice of being single vs. marriage but that he has chosen the better part in this life. Accordingly, might God invite some people to send away their betrothed and not get married? And marriage is a greater good than the possession of things! So the pastor should learn more about the rationale for taking religious vows. (3) On page 25, there is a comment about Purgatory that is totally out of place in a book about money, even in a section about monetary asceticism and Catholics. I won't explain it here, but this is a doctrinal difference and one in which the pastor demonstrates his ignorance about the one atonement of Christ vs. the ongoing struggle with sin and the EFFECTS of sin in our daily lives. St. Paul himself talks about making up in oneself what is lacking in the sacrifice of Christ. Elsewhere he also talks about working out one's salvation in fear and trembling. Mr. Alcorn, if you are reading this, I respect your education and experience. This is a good book. But on these three brief points you need to research the topics before you ad-lib about them.

My husband and I could not more highly recommend this book! We actually were given it by someone we respect and works in the financial world and they said it was the best book out there written on the topic. We have found it to be one of those books we go back to time and time again to get realigned and get guidance on how to look/handle at our finances. I actually purchased this book from Amazon for a friend that is struggling with how to look/handle possessions and feels controlled by them in the sense that they feel guilty in enjoying anything or having anything nice. The book covers both ends of the spectrum and many other things. We have experiences financial freedom and great joy in giving and trusting God and this book has played a big part in it. This book has refreshing godly in site into the not just the biblical facts of how to handle our money and possessions but God's ultimate desire for the condition of our hearts with/towards them. I could not more highly recommend this book!

This book has had a huge impact on my view of giving. Randy does a great job of telling personal stories and giving examples to make the read enjoyable. I will say it’s a lot to digest and I bought this book but I mostly listened on audiobooks because sitting down to read was more challenging.

It was in very good condition and arrived in a timely manner

Life changing message. I now know that if I’m not giving I’m stealing from God and depriving myself of treasure and rewards in Heaven. May sound corny, but you can’t afford not to get this book, read it and ACT upon it.

Wer sich als das versteht, was Gott uns eigentlich aufgetragen hat, nämlich als seine "Vermögens-Verwalter" und nicht "Eigentümer", für den ist dieses Buch ein absolutes MUSS ! Es ist allerdings aufgrund seiner Informationsfülle nicht wirklich leicht zu lesen - immerhin ist es in Abschnitte eingeteilt. Also ich hab es 2 x lesen müssen - aber das hab ich auch echt gerne getan. Mehr als empfehlenswert ! (Gilt übrigens auch für die Deutsche Version "Geld, Besitz und Ewigkeit")

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

Well worth the price in every way

Life Changing outlook on Money, Possessions and Eternity, God bless Randy. MUST BUY.