Bringing in the Sheaves: Transforming Poverty into Productivity

by George Grant

Book by Grant, George

Genres: Theology, Christian, Cultural, Economics, Christianity, Politics

213 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1985

About the author

Dr. George Grant is an evangelical educator recognized by a Tennessee newspaper “Review Appeal” as the one who “lives and breathes” education.

Grant is known as a reformed scholar and evangelical activist who hopes to promote sound Christian doctrine, seeking honest answers to honest questions, developing true spirituality and experiencing the beauty of human relationships.

He founded Franklin Classical School, located in Franklin, Tennessee and the King’s Meadow Study Center, which seeks to help the modern church to develop a practical cultural expression of a Christian worldview in art, music, literature, politics, social research, community development and education.

Grant has also produced numerous writings of more than 60 works on the topics relating to theology, school curriculum, arts, fiction and politics.

Reviews

[Rachel Guisewite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular in every way! A must-read for every Christian.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Grant did a great service for the Church when he put this book to paper. I am also thankful, knowing the background of this book, that Gary North was integral to its publication. I believe this work filled a gap in the discussion of Christian dialogue around welfare. Most works appropriately deride our current system's socialist and centralized welfare but do little to provide the theology and applications for private families and churches to begin engaging. Grant did both in this work.

[Peter Bringe · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, George Grant lays out a plan for biblical charity. He explains biblical teachings and priorities concerning charity to the poor (such as family, faith, and work), and then gives strategies to carry them out. It is easy to read, convicting, and practical, although there are a few areas where it would be nice if he said more (for example, it would be helpful to have suggestions to help with having security and the like when exercising serious hospitality to strangers). I read the 1995 edition (rather than the 1989 edition here on Goodreads).

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book that goes highly in-depth into the theological positions and principles of biblical charity so much as the application of those things; additional reading might be necessary to build such a foundation. But the detailed, real-world application found here is so helpful! The author writes from experience, sharing both affective and ineffective methods for implementing the biblical principles for engaging poverty, and addresses many troubles people face from joblessness, homelessness, emergency relief, food scarcity, and more.

There are large portions of outdated statistics and such, but nonetheless I found this useful coming out of the post-Covid economy because the situation he describes in the early ‘80s is eerily familiar to our own. To know that the church faced similar times as we do now and was able to spread God’s kingdom through following His precepts is most encouraging and gives me great hope.

At the same time… 40 years later I see every problem he described is not only still present (as expected: “the poor you will always have”) but in many ways things seem to have grown worse, not improved. I was left wanting a sequel, a follow-up to this work, to address current situations and any compromises or mistakes the church may have made in the past few decades, and ways we can improve or avoid pitfalls or mistakes of the recent decades.

[Mark Goddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of a Christian approach to charity. At this time is seems quite dated. Although the problems remain, it isn't clear if the solutions proposed are as applicable as they might have been in the 1980s. Also, the theonomic bent of the author comes through clearly. Not necessarily in a negative way, but it clearly influences his approach and proposals. Worth reading, but doesn't offer a pre-packaged solution for today.

[Jason Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a somewhat dated, but still relevant, book on biblical charity. Nothing is more obvious than the observation that the federal welfare system is wholly ineffective. Grant offers an alternative derived from biblical truths, especially those on gleaning--the notion that charity is a hand, not a handout.

Filled with anecdotal stories of both effective and ineffective approaches, this is a good read.

Recommended.

[Joshua Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and motivating

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent starter on ministry to those in need...

[Jared Mcnabb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good points and ideas. Contained a lot of data was 25 years outdated.