After learning about The Treasure Principle, you may be asking how to get started upon the journey of joyful generosity!  Here is some biblical direction. Our giving to the Lord should be SYSTEMATIC.  There is certainly a place for spontaneous  generosity in the Christian life, but God designed a systematic giving plan to train our hearts to be both thankful and generous.  The biblical concept of tithing is a good place to start.   Lev. 27:30  “A tithe of everything in the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” Systematic giving is PLANNED.  1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Systematic giving is PROPORTIONAL. Systematic Giving is PURPOSEFUL.  “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.” — Randy Alcorn, based on 2 Corinthians 9:11

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”  Luke 12:15 Jesus told a parable which we usually call “The Rich Fool.”  The wealthy farmer in the story exhibited some of the classic barriers to a generous life that invests in heavenly treasures.

• He consulted only himself.  He had the barrier of self-centeredness.
• He counted on only himself.  He had the barrier of arrogance.
• He considered only himself.  He had the barrier of greed.
• He cared only about this world.  He had the barrier of short-sightedness.

We need to be able to identify the barriers to generosity that arise in our own lives.  These principles will help us overcome them:

• Heaven, not earth, is our true home.
• Giving is the only antidote to greed.

“You can’t take it with you, but you can send it ahead.” Matthew 6:19-21 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” For Christians, “treasures” is not a dirty word— when properly understood.

• Earthly treasures are temporary and come with many temptations.
• Heavenly treasures  are eternal and share the values of God.
• There is a connection between how we approach money and possessions and the strength of our spiritual lives.
• We send our treasures ahead when we invest in the things God values!

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  Jim Elliot Many ideas are based on the book “The Treasure Principle:  Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving” by Randy Alcorn.

Every person, at some time, confronts the darkness of the “valley of the shadow of death.” Whether or not we realize it, we don’t have to face it alone. Our loving and victorious Savior is able to turn darkness to light and sorrow to joy! Having a risen Lord gives us a new life of purpose.