Christ Centered Generosity

ECPA 2020 Christian Book Award Finalist! Wouldn’t it be great if we could do what pleases God, helps others, and is best for us—at the same time? Can we live the good life without being selfish? In Giving Is the Good Life, bestselling author Randy Alcorn teaches life-changing biblical principles of generosity and tells stories of people who have put those radical principles into practice. Each story is a practical application that can help stimulate your imagination and expand your dreams of serving Jesus in fresh ways. These real-life models give you not just words to remember but footprints to follow. Giving Is the Good Life reveals a grander view of God and generosity—one that stretches far beyond our imagination and teaches us what the good life is really all about.

YOU ARE RICH 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, Yet for your sake [Christ] became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. But what does that mean? What does it mean that we have become rich through Christ? In Our Generous God, author Joel Bruce explores how God has made us rich in Christ and demonstrates how generous God has been to us through Him. Our God has abundantly blessed His children. If you are in Christ, you are truly rich, because God has lavished His gifts on you. Throughout the book, youll discover the five gifts you receive as a follower of Christ: salvation, adoption, spiritual family, position as an heir, and an inheritance. Any one of those gifts alone would be incredibly valuable, but we are given all five gifts when we receive Christ. And each of those gifts is yours, free of charge. You receive them when you place your faith in Christ. The gifts we have are much more valuable than any material possession we could own. Our gifts from God are priceless and eternal. Many Christ followers go through life thinking they are poor. Or they keep hoping for the day when they will become rich. But as youll discover in Our Generous God, your Father in heaven has already made you far richer in things that matter. In fact, He has generously given to you because you are His child and He loves you. Our God has given us so much in Christ. When you read Our Generous God, youll come away with a greater appreciation for who God is. Your Father is incredibly generous to you, because His generosity is an expression of His very nature. And you have received so much from Him because He is generous.

Keller explores a life of justice empowered by an experience of grace.

Christian Generosity is based on the radical teachings of Jesus Christ and of the New Testament. Christians and Churches that still promote the “doctrine” of Tithing are missing out on the glory of Christian Giving. Stop tithing! Don’t let anyone take you on a guilt-trip on account of tithing. Switch to Christian Giving.

Money touches everything in our lives. It communicates our values whether we want it to or not, often simultaneously resulting in what we prefer and what we regret. Those who wish to be thoughtful about how they reflect God's image in all things, do well to think through what they believe about earning and using money. This volume walks through a logical progression of how to think and act in regards to money, and provides scores of scenarios for discussion and application.

A confession and manifesto from a senior leader in the emerging church movement. A Generous Orthodoxy calls for a radical, Christ-centered orthodoxy of faith and practice in a missional, generous spirit. Brian McLaren argues for a post-liberal, post-conservative, post-protestant convergence, which will stimulate lively interest and global conversation among thoughtful Christians from all traditions.In a sweeping exploration of belief, author Brian McLaren takes us across the landscape of faith, envisioning an orthodoxy that aims for Jesus, is driven by love, and is defined by missional intent. A Generous Orthodoxy rediscovers the mysterious and compelling ways that Jesus can be embraced across the entire Christian horizon. Rather than establishing what is and is not “orthodox,” McLaren walks through the many traditions of faith, bringing to the center a way of life that draws us closer to Christ and to each other. Whether you find yourself inside, outside, or somewhere on the fringe of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy draws you toward a way of living that looks beyond the “us/them” paradigm to the blessed and ancient paradox of “we.”

The subject of financial giving to the church can create tension and anxiety if not understood from the scriptural perspective of the Christian's heart for Christ. In this theological treatment of giving, Steve Swartz examines the biblical basis for obedience in giving to the Lord's work, which is, ultimately, because of his love for and loyalty to Jesus Christ. The gospel of Christ compels the Christian to respond in gratitude for God's grace in salvation, and giving is one such tangible response.Dr. Steve Swartz (M.Div., The Master's Seminary, D.Min., The Master's Seminary) serves as the senior pastor of Grace Bible Church of Bakersfield, California. He is the author of several books such as Shattered Shepherds and Strength in the River and is a regular lecturer at John MacArthur's Grace Advance, a post-graduate academy for church-planting pastors. Steve is the featured Bible teacher at Steadfast in the Faith (www.steadfastinthefaith.org), the online media ministry of Grace Bible Church."The call to give is often met with tension in today's church. But with the mind of a theologian and the heart of a shepherd, Dr. Swartz carefully tackles a sensitive subject with grace, compassion, and clarity, guiding the reader to a better understanding of the heart of God... This book includes practical teaching on giving, but even more, provides a pathway to a life of real joy focused on worshiping the Lord with a generous heart... After reading Joyful Generosity: Responding to God's Grace, I have a greater desire to give to Kingdom work, a clearer view of God's heart, and a more intense longing for heaven."-Dr. Michael Staton, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Mustang, Oklahoma, and featured speaker of Every Word Preached, www.everywordpreached.com."Joyful Generosity: Responding to God's Grace is a spiritually powerful, biblical-theological approach to the subject of financial stewardship. Dr. Swartz avoids the heresies of prosperity theology while teaching God's clear commands and promises related to giving ... I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a God-centered and audience-sensitive exposition of biblical giving. I will be providing this book to the pastors in all our capital campaigns."-Dr. Rod Rogers, Owner/principal consultant with AMI Church Consulting Services, www.abundantgiving .com.