Randy Alcorn quotes on stewardship

If economic catastrophe does come, will it be a time that draws Christians together to share every resource we have, or will it drive us apart to hide in our own basements or mountain retreats, guarding at gunpoint our private stores from others? If we faithfully use our assets for his kingdom now, rather than hoarding them, can't we trust our faithful God to provide for us then?

christianity economic-catastrophe faith fiscal-cliff gunpoint hoarding protection provision resources sharing stewardship survivalism trust

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

christianity faith giving hoarding money sharing standard-of-living stewardship

Too often we assume that God has increased our income to increase our standard of living, when his stated purpose is to increase our standard of giving. (Look again at 2 Corinthians 8: 14 and 9: 11).

assumption bonus christianity corinthians excess giving god income increase raise scripture sharing standard-of-living stewardship

Wealth is a relational barrier. It keeps us from having open relationships.

christianity communication honesty openness relationships stewardship transparency wealth

To turn the tide of materialism in the Christian community, we desperately need bold models of kingdom-centered living. Despite our need to do it in a way that doesn't glorify people, we must hear each other's stories about giving or else our people will not learn to give.

boldness christianity community encouragement example giving humility kingdom learning materialism modelling models stewardship stories

Some take pains to be biblical, but many [Christian financial teachers, writers, investment counselors, and seminar leaders] simply parrot their secular colleagues. Other than beginning and ending with prayer, mentioning Christ, and sprinkling in some Bible verses, there's no fundamental difference. They reinforce people's materialist attitudes and lifestyles. They suggest a variety of profitable plans in which people can spend or stockpile the bulk of their resources. In short, to borrow a term from Jesus, some Christian financial experts are helping people to be the most successful 'rich fools' they can be.

christianity finances financial-planning fool foolish hoarding investment materialism planning profits saving selfishness stewardship

I feel like a child who has found a wonderful trail in the woods. Countless others have gone before and blazed the trail, but to the child it's as new and fresh as if it had never been walked before. The child is invariably anxious for others to join in the great adventure. It's something that can only be understood by actual experience. Those who've begun the journey, and certainly those who've gone further than I, will readily understand what I am saying.

christianity discovery excitement money stewardship

Are we truly obeying the command to love our neighbor as ourselves if we're storing up money for potential future needs when our neighbor is laboring today under actual present needs?

caring compassion current future hoarding justice labor need neighbor present saving selfish sharing stewardship tso-love