Randy Alcorn Giveaway!

UPDATE: 4/7/09 8:25 PM:Here are your random numbers:
3
Timestamp: 2009-04-08 01:19:18 UTC

Congrats to Pat S, winner of the the book! I'll email you, Pat, to make arrangements to get it to you!

* * * * * *

Size can be deceiving. Some thick books say "a whole lot of nothing", while a little book can pack quite a punch. Such is the case of the compact The Treasure Principle.


The subject of giving can be such a tinderbox among Christians. We willingly dole out money to the gym, for school events, and our kids' sports teams with their assorted concessions and paraphernalia. But let the preacher start preaching on stewardship and giving and suddenly excuses began to mount up.

I appreciated Randy Alcorn's approach to this often volatile subject. This is not a heavy-handed or guilt-motivated treatise. Rather, he suggests (and Scripture validates) that giving is a key to our joy in life. He also points out that

"15 percent of everything Christ said relates to this topic -- more than heaven and hell combined. . . Because there's a fundamental connection between or spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. We may try to divorce our faith and our finances, but God sees them as inseparable." (p. 9)

In six brief chapters, Randy discusses this Treasure Principle, including the joy that comes from giving, roadblocks to giving, and how to get started. The end of the book contains a prayer guide with "31 Radical Liberating Questions to Ask God About your Giving."

I had the pleasure of meeting Randy Alcorn at the Christian Book Expo several weeks ago. He was gracious and warm. And yes, Sara, I did give him your message plea that he write more fiction books! His response? He enjoys writing fiction and he has not ruled out writing more in the future. But nothing is planned at the moment. Right now his non-fiction seems to be what is most wanted -- i.e., sells the best. He is currently working on a book about God's sovereignty. He appreciated receiving the message, however, and knowing that there is a demand for his fiction books!


BOOK SUMMARY:
Flip-Flop Your Concept of Giving!

Bestselling author Randy Alcorn introduced readers to a revolution in material freedom and radical generosity with the release of the original The Treasure Principle in 2001. Now the revision to the compact, perennial bestseller includes a provocative new concluding chapter depicting God asking a believer questions about his stewardship over material resources. Readers are moved from the realms of thoughtful Bible exposition into the highly personal arena of everyday life. Because when Jesus told His followers to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” He intended that they discover an astounding secret: how joyful giving brings God maximum glory and His children maximum pleasure. Discover a joy more precious than gold!

STORY BEHIND THE BOOK
After years of writing and teaching on the theme “God owns everything,” in 1990 Randy Alcorn was sued by an abortion clinic (for peaceful, nonviolent intervention for the unborn). Suddenly he had to resign as a pastor and was restricted to making minimum wage. Legally unable to own anything, Randy gave all his book royalties to missions work and need-meeting ministries. He and his family have experienced the reality of The Treasure Principle—that God really does own everything, takes care of us, and graciously puts assets into our hands that we might have the joy and privilege of investing in what will last for eternity.

AUTHOR BIO:

Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to 1990, when he started EPM, he served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has spoken around the world and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Randy is the best-selling author of twenty-seven books, with over three million in print.


The Treasure Principle may be purchased directly from Random House or here.

BUT WAIT! I HAVE A GIVEAWAY!
I have a copy of this book, which Randy signed at the Expo, for one of you! Just leave a comment on this post by 6:00 p.m. CDT tomorrow (Tuesday) and I will draw a name. (Continental US Residents only) Be sure to leave an email address if you don't have a blog!

Happy Reading & Joyful Giving!