The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving

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Key #1. God owns everything. I’m His money manager.

1. According to the four passages quoted on page 23 of Alcorn’s book, who actually owns my house? My bank account? My skills? My body?

2. If God is the owner, then what is my role? Do I have any rights? What are my responsibilities?

3. Do I fall into the trap of “tipping” God a little each month? If I tithe faithfully, what are my responsibilities with the remaining 90 percent of my income?

Key #2. My Heart Always Goes Where I Put God’s Money.

4. Last year, did I give to others (e.g. tithes, offerings, personal gifts) as much as I spent on myself (e.g. entertainment, vacations, club memberships)? How does my giving history reflect my understanding of Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:38-39 (the second greatest commandment)?

5. Specifically, what keeps me from giving more? Am I afraid of giving? Do I trust that God will meet my needs if I give?

6. How much giving (percentage of my gross income) would it take to make me uncomfortable ... 5%? 10%? 25%? 50%? More?

7. Do I consider money I’ve given away as part of my ‘net worth’? Do I give the same attention to the money I give as I do to the money I invest?

Key #3. Heaven, not earth, is my home.

8. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” As God’s steward, am I sinking His money into temporal things, or am I sending it on ahead, using it to advance His Kingdom?

9. Am I more attached to the things of this world or to the things of God’s Kingdom?

10. Does the way in which I live my life, spend my time, and handle my money point others to Christ? Am I more excited about the latest release of a Hollywood movie or the spiritual growth of a friend? Do I see a business deal as a prospect for profit or as an opportunity for ministry?

Key #4. I should not live for the dot but for the line.

11. Alcorn compares our short lives on earth to a dot and our eternal lives in heaven as a never-ending line that extends from that dot. If God were to audit my finances, would He conclude that I live more for the “dot” or more for the “line”? What would some of His observations be?

12. Do I consider money I invest as “mine” but money I give as “lost”?

13. Do all of my purchases or spending have eternal consequences?

Key #5. Giving is the only antidote to materialism.

14. Have money and possessions created greater faith or caused greater fear in my life?

15. Are my possessions “competing” with my giving? If materialism is a “disease,” then what is the “cure”?

16. Which is really most important to me – “building bigger barns” (Luke 12:16-21) or “storing up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21)?

Key #6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

17. Why have I been given more than I need? How am I using the “surplus”?

18. Do I really believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)? How does my belief tangibly prove itself in my life?