conversations.from: human
conversations.value: a title for a book about It's, God's, Scripture with the genre: Christian Books & Bibles, Christian Living
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: A title for this book could be 'Money, Possessions, and Eternity'
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the first five paragraphs for this book.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Money, Possessions, and Eternity
  I challenge Bible colleges, Christian liberal arts colleges, and seminaries to develop courses centered on a biblical theology of stewardship and giving. We need much more than a class on budgeting and financial planning. We need a Bible-centered, Christ-centered theology of money and possessions that deals with critical issues every Christian should face.
  I believe the Christian community should be filled with people who set caps on their lifestyles, giving away everything above that amount. Some call this "setting a finish line." That means if we make a predetermined amount of money or save a certain amount, that's it. We won't accumulate any more. We'll give away everything else. That isn't sacrificial giving, it's giving according to our ability. Yet, by most of our standards, it's so radical we may not know anyone who lives that way.
  Perhaps as a result of this incident, Wesley preached that Christians should not merely tithe but give away all extra income once the family and creditors are taken care of. He believed that with increasing income, a Christian's giving, not his lifestyle, should increase. He began this practice at Oxford and continued it throughout his life. Even when his income rose to thousands of pounds, he lived simply and quickly gave away his surplus. He was afraid of laying up treasures on earth, so the money went out to charity as quickly as it came in.
  Wesley's practice is in keeping with Scripture (2 Corinthians 8:14; 9:11). God allows us to put our names on his account and to determine our own salaries as his money manager. Many of us overvalue our service, paying ourselves too much. Wouldn't it be better to live on less and have God reward us, than live on more that God intended for higher purposes?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Add another sentence about John, Wesley, adjusting, according, mentioned.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Money, Possessions, and Eternity
  I challenge Bible colleges, Christian liberal arts colleges, and seminaries to develop courses centered on a biblical theology of stewardship and giving. We need much more than a class on budgeting and financial planning. We need a Bible-centered, Christ-centered theology of money and possessions that deals with critical issues every Christian should face. 
  I believe the Christian community should be filled with people who set caps on their lifestyles, giving away everything above that amount. Some call this "setting a finish line. " That means if we make a predetermined amount of money or save a certain amount, that's it. We won't accumulate any more. We'll give away everything else. That isn't sacrificial giving, it's giving according to our ability. Yet, by most of our standards, it's so radical we may not know anyone who lives that way. 
  As we contemplate adjusting our lifestyle according to the needs we see around us, we should consider the example of John Wesley after his conversation with the young chambermaid (which I mentioned in chapter 16). 
  Perhaps as a result of this incident, Wesley preached that Christians should not merely tithe but give away all extra income once the family and creditors are taken care of. He believed that with increasing income, a Christian's giving, not his lifestyle, should increase. He began this practice at Oxford and continued it throughout his life. Even when his income rose to thousands of pounds, he lived simply and quickly gave away his surplus. He was afraid of laying up treasures on earth, so the money went out to charity as quickly as it came in. 
  Wesley's practice is in keeping with Scripture (2 Corinthians 8:14; 9:11). God allows us to put our names on his account and to determine our own salaries as his money manager. Many of us overvalue our service, paying ourselves too much. Wouldn't it be better to live on less and have God reward us, than live on more that God intended for higher purposes?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me five more paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Accountability to outsiders is important. But it must begin internally with wise and careful choices of leaders. It must include a commitment to plural leadership that does not leave one person, or one commanding individual surrounded by passive ones, in a position to embezzle, squander, or use funds for his or her personal benefit.
  The spending patterns of some Christian organizations are exemplary. They are conscious of God's ownership of their assets and the fact that financial gifts have been given to them by other stewards who are sacrificing to further God's kingdom. These ministries spend their money carefully and thoughtfully with a view toward the purpose for which it has been given.
  Smart Money and Forbes magazines have issued annual "best in the nation" charity rankings. They've reduced their assessment criteria to three simplistic ratios, with various weightings to determine which charity is most efficient. However, the ratios are not the same for each publication, and even where they correspond, they are calculated or weighted differently.
  Money magazine gives its own ratings, relying on calculated ratios and a grading system to identify those it considers most worthy of support. But such ratios can be misleading. For instance, the American Red Cross received more than $500 million in contributions following the September 11 terrorist attacks without spending very much on fund-raising. When they later admitted that only $100 million was going to victims' families, there was public outrage. Yet when the Red Cross was rated against other charities, they scored very well—not because they were really more efficient but because they had received so much free public exposure.
  Ministry Watch is a program of Wall Watchers, dedicated to comparing and ranking ministries, and giving information in areas that include efficiency and transparency. Because its rating system is based on financial data derived from each organization's IRS Form 990 or audited financial statements, the playing field is theoretically level for every charity. However, there are many intangible qualities that cannot be measured by looking at financial data alone. Efficiency of operation, for example, is very different from effectiveness of mission.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Accountability to outsiders is important. But it must begin internally with wise and careful choices of leaders. It must include a commitment to plural leadership that does not leave one person, or one commanding individual surrounded by passive ones, in a position to embezzle, squander, or use funds for his or her personal benefit.
  The spending patterns of some Christian organizations are exemplary. They are conscious of God's ownership of their assets and the fact that financial gifts have been given to them by other stewards who are sacrificing to further God's kingdom. These ministries spend their money carefully and thoughtfully with a view toward the purpose for which it has been given.
  Smart Money and Forbes magazines have issued annual "best in the nation" charity rankings. They've reduced their assessment criteria to three simplistic ratios, with various weightings to determine which charity is most efficient. However, the ratios are not the same for each publication, and even where they correspond, they are calculated or weighted differently.
  Money magazine gives its own ratings, relying on calculated ratios and a grading system to identify those it considers most worthy of support. But such ratios can be misleading. For instance, the American Red Cross received more than $500 million in contributions following the September 11 terrorist attacks without spending very much on fund-raising. When they later admitted that only $100 million was going to victims' families, there was public outrage. Yet when the Red Cross was rated against other charities, they scored very well—not because they were really more efficient but because they had received so much free public exposure.
  Ministry Watch is a program of Wall Watchers, dedicated to comparing and ranking ministries, and giving information in areas that include efficiency and transparency. Because its rating system is based on financial data derived from each organization's IRS Form 990 or audited financial statements, the playing field is theoretically level for every charity. However, there are many intangible qualities that cannot be measured by looking at financial data alone.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the last five paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Matthew 6:19-21 chapter 8 chapter 9 chapter 9 chapter 9 chapter 9 chapter 11 chapter 13 chapter 17 chapter 18 chapter 19 chapter 20
  Luke 6:38 chapter 6 chapter 12 chapter 12 chapter 13 chapter 13 chapter 17 chapter 20 conclusion lesson 8
  Before starting EPM in 1990, Randy served as a pastor for fourteen years. He holds degrees in theology and biblical studies and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah University and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
  Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon, with his wife, Nanci. They have two married daughters and are the proud grandparents of four grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research, and reading.
  You may contact Eternal Perspective Ministries at www.epm.org or 39085 Pioneer Blvd., Suite 206, Sandy, OR 97055 or 503-668-5200.