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The Treasure Principle

Discovering God’s Way of Handling Money


Various Resources

The Treasure Principle

The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, Eternal Perspecive Ministries, 2001 (ISBN: 1-57673-780-2)


 

All your life, you've been on a treasure hunt, searching for a perfect person and a perfect place. Jesus is that person; heaven is that place. So, if you're a Christian, you've already met the person, and you're already headed to the place. But the problem is you're not living with that person, and you're not yet living in that place! Jesus told a story about a hidden treasure that, once discovered, brings life-changing joy. This book is about the joy of giving. The Treasure Principle has long been buried. It's time to unearth it. Once you grasp it and put it into practice, nothing will ever look the same.


 


Nooma: Rich

Nooma Rich DVD 013, Rob Bell, Zondervan, 2006 (IBSN: 0310269164)


 

This DVD runs just fourteen minutes, but it packs a punch of a message. Patterned after parable style teaching, Rob Bell speaks to viewers using the experiences of life to teach what it means to be blessed by God so that we can bless and give to others. We can all relate to feeling that others have more than we do, and so feel diminished somehow. Yet what we have is North America is so much more than most people in the world have. Rob Bell asks the viewer to consider, "Maybe what we have is enough; maybe it's more than enough.".


 


Generous People

Generous People - How to Encourage Vital Stewardship by Eugene Grimm, 1992 (ISBN: 0687140455)  
Stewardship is not limited to what we do with our money; instead, the principles of stewardship encompass all of life: Stewardship involves giving an account for “what I do after I say ‘I believe.’ ” Thus, stewardship must be treated as foundational to spiritual growth, rather than marginal. Indeed, stewardship is important not because the church needs the congregants’ money (though such a motive is often the impetus behind many “stewardship” campaigns) but, rather, because the giver needs the opportunity to give. Giving allows one to respond to God’s gift of salvation, add meaning to his life, and experience the joy of helping others. Eugene Grimm, stewardship specialist for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, gives three principles for maximizing the effectiveness of a stewardship campaign: Keep it positive, keep it biblical and stress the mission. More specifically, a stewardship campaign should include the following elements: (1) the gospel story; (2) a presentation of the church’s mission and ministry; (3) clear communication that will inspire confidence and involve others; (4) an encouragement for church members to re-evaluate their personal giving. The role of the pastor in stewardship campaigns, the benefits of pledging, strategies for preparing a budget, directions for follow-up work after the campaign, helpful advice concerning the formation and running of the stewardship committee, and the benefits of special offerings are also covered. The appendices contain forms, charts and checklists to aid in implementing a stewardship appeal. Illustrative anecdotes also provide interesting examples of common situations a church might face. Overall, this book contains practical advice for promoting greater generosity in the church while steering clear of a fund-raising mindset that focuses on results rather than on promoting spiritual growth.

 

 


Finding God

Finding God: How Can We Experience God? By Rick Richardson, InterVarsity Press, 2002 (ISBN: 0830820280)

 New believers resources 
 

GIG’s are Bible study books that stand for “Groups Investigating God” and the four titles in this series are all good ones to check out if you’re investigating Christianity, or are a new believer. They are on the topics of: Finding God, Spirituality, Sex, and Following after God. You can find them at www.ivpress.com. The style of study is intended for use with a group, where you can ask questions about life and spirituality without fear of judgment or intimidation. Each of the six sessions in the studies is oriented around a question that seekers and skeptics have asked, such as: “What’s So Unique about Jesus?” found in session four of the Spirituality study. Then you work with your group to examine the question and where it comes from, followed by teaching from the Bible about it. Conversation-starter questions follow this and then a summary wraps up what’s been taught and suggests what choices the learner might face. Space is provided for journaling and praying, and further resources are suggested with each session.

 


An excellent study to explore questions you might not find addressed anywhere else.


 


First Steps

First Steps for the New Christian by Eddie Rasnake, AMG Publishers, 2002 (ISBN: 0899573177) Leader’s Guide also available (ISBN: 0899573207)

 New believers resources
 

The author’s experience as a new Christian had its struggles and out of this, he wanted to offer some practical and encouraging helps for other new believers who may be having the same experience. Over twelve weeks of study material, the author answers critical questions about a new believer’s identity in Christ and how to grow spiritually now that you are a Christian. He also looks at the importance of spiritual disciplines and gifts in the life of a believer.s
in this series are all good ones to check out if you’re investigating Christianity, or are a new believer. They are on the topics of: Finding God, Spirituality, Sex, and Following after God. You can find them at www.amazon.com. The style of study is intended for use with a group, where you can ask questions about life and spirituality without fear of judgment or intimidation. Each of the six sessions in the studies is oriented around a question that seekers and skeptics have asked, such as: “What’s So Unique about Jesus?” found in session four of the Spirituality study. Then you work with your group to examine the question and where it comes from, followed by teaching from the Bible about it. Conversation-starter questions follow this and then a summary wraps up what’s been taught and suggests what choices the learner might face. Space is provided for journaling and praying, and further resources are suggested with each session.

 


An excellent study to explore questions you might not find addressed anywhere else.


 


The Kingdom Assignment

 The Kingdom Assignment: What Will You Do With the Talents God Has Given You?

by Denny & Leesa Bellesi, Zondervan, 2001

(ISBN: 0310243238)
 
Reviewed by Major Doug Binner, Former Corps Officer, Mississauga Temple Community Church. Our financial situation was becoming a real concern. The need for cutbacks and the desire for more careful stewardship were on every agenda. The Finance Committee talked about it every month. It was on the Ministry Board agenda. Even the Community Care Ministry and the Children’s Ministry had to address the issue. Our Director of Stewardship kept telling us that the problem was not on the expense side of our budge it was a matter of our Corps not giving to its full potential and not fully realizing the privilege and responsibility of authentic Biblical stewardship.

Then one day someone handed me a copy of “The Kingdom Assignment” by Denny and Leesa Bellesi. “It’s an easy read” they said, “and maybe it’s something that you and your leaders might want to consider.”

The Kingdom Assignment is a real life account of a Southern California pastor
and his congregation who took the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) to a new level of personal application and understanding. On a given Sunday, after some careful teaching, Denny Bellesi gave 100 people in his congregation each $100. The money was accepted on three conditions: first, that they understood that the money belonged to God; second, that they invest it in God’s work; and third, that they report the results back to the congregation in ninety days. The results were overwhelming, lives were changed and the Kingdom of God was expanded in ways that no one could have imagined. A large portion of the book is given to personal accounts of how this project impacted the individuals who participated.

After lengthy discussion and careful consideration, the Finance Committee of Mississauga Temple, with the backing of the Ministry Board, authorized me to give away $2,000 in our own Kingdom Assignment. After some careful teaching on authentic Biblical stewardship from Matthew 25:14-30, and with the same three conditions, I called for 10 volunteers. Some came as individuals, some came representing a group or a ministry in the Corps. Those who represented a group of people were given $250, individuals were given $100. By the end of that Sunday morning meeting, the place was buzzing with excitement and astonishment. Some thought I was crazy, some couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed, and most had never been to a church where people were asked to take money rather than give it. All of the volunteers accepted the assignment with a humble and respectful obligation to God and their church.

At the end of 90 days, when the day of reckoning came, the sanctuary was packed. People were eager and anxious to hear the stories of how God had worked in the lives of His servants and how the money had been multiplied and how the Kingdom had been impacted.

Stories were told about fund raising projects, donations and gifts from friends and strangers, and even of miracles of how money multiplied without explanation. One $100 bill was multiplied into $3,000 to drill a well in a third world country through World Vision. The Singing Company was able to sponsor a child through the Army for four years and give $500 back to the church. Inmates were given copies of The Purpose Driven Life, and children in the local shelter were given copies of Christian story books. One individual seriously considered giving the money back before God interceded in an overwhelming way.

Did The Kingdom Assignment completely turn around the financial situation at Mississauga Temple? Not entirely. Did The Kingdom Assignment change lives and attitudes about stewardship? Absolutely! This convert would heartily recommend both the book and the project to any congregation.
 


H20: A Journey of Faith


 H20: A Journey of Faith (DVD Set)

By Kyle Idleman, Standard Publishing

Watch a preview, download a sample for your iPod, or download further information at either: www.cityonahillproductions.com or www.h20journey.com
 
Do you find it difficult to share your faith with others or wish that you could say the right words to clearly communicate what being a Christian is really all about? H20 is a resource that will enable believers to share their faith with confidence and unprecedented effectiveness, taking the viewer on a powerful, engaging journey that is a carefully crafted progression designed to bring non-believers to a willingness to accept Christ. You won’t find a better resource to introduce your neighbors to your faith. Buy the DVD set online at www.SalvationArmy.ca/Store

 

Corps Ministries Resources


God's Family First


 God’s Family First: Learning to Be Good Stewards Together in Faith, Community and Worship (Leader’s Guide & @home booklet)

Produced by Stewardship

Resources, Corps Ministries Department, THQ

Order through:

www.saMinistryCatalogue.ca
 
This resource can be used in your corps setting and at home with corps members either over a weekend, weeklong, or 4 week long emphasis. It is comprehensive, including sermon helps, corps family dinner ideas, prayer night/room ideas, spiritual gift assessments and a service option survey, corps family fun night ideas, stewardship teaching, and more. Try this self-contained resource to enrich the spiritual health and life of your corps family-God’s family!


Getting Ready for Marriage


 Getting Ready for Marriage: A Modular Study on Stewardship in Marriage

Produced by Stewardship Resources, Corps Ministries Department, THQ

Order through:

www.saMinistryCatalogue.ca
 
This short booklet can be reproduced to use with engaged couples that are going through pre-marital counseling. It is designed to supplement other counseling material you may be using with a focus on stewardship and offers a distinct Salvation Army perspective.

It includes helpful information on budgeting, recommended reading, quotations, and talking points for discussion.
 
Tags:
Books(13), Corps-Ministries(5), Stewardship(8)