What do you think?
Rate this book
Radical Generosity
God’s grace is an act of radical generosity. Each act from creation to new creation is a redemptive act of God’s radical self-giving. Likewise, God’s call to humanity is to demonstrate radical generosity in all we do. Christians are called to radical generosity so that we may be faithful to the mission of God. Stewardship is not motivated by self-interest; but flows from love, faith, and gratitude. Stewardship is our proper response to God’s grace.Written as a devotional for church leaders and laity, the chapters are brief but challenging. This book reminds us that God sees every act of kindness, every gift of love, and that God will always be faithful to bless every generous deed.
162 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2015
3 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 17, 2019
Daily Bread collection .. Fine as that, but I picked it up for the title which .. after reading about 1/3 .. did not seem to relate as I had expected.
April 19, 2016
To start, I'd like to say that I definitely recommend giving this book a read. The first thing he exposes is our ability as pastors to make tithes into some "if-then" proposal. "For many Christians, tithes and offerings have become a legalistic "if-then" proposition: 'If you are faithful in tithing, then God will bless you.'" (pg. 1) But by teaching dangerous theology like this, we "manipulate faith, and deny grace" (pg. 2) to our hearers and turn the gospel into something much different than what it is. He calls us to "focus on the covenant relationship" (pg. 2) we have with God. I believe this hits spot on. I hope, as a minister, I never find myself in a position where I would attempt to coerce people into believing that grace can be obtained or bought simply by following some rule.
He goes on to say, "For Christians tithing is a minimal spiritual discipline. The tithe tutors us in giving. If we are to walk in the fullness of maturity in Christ, then we must live and give generously." (pg. 9) It is great when people tithe, but we must continue to call people to a deeper understanding of the Lord. The tithe isn't some membership fee that keeps us in good standing with the church or with God, but is instead a discipline so that we can learn to become givers. Jesus calls us deeper still. In fact, Jesus wants us to give all to Him. "'So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions' (Luke 14:33)." (pg. 8) Jesus requires all of us, and tithing helps develop us into people who are radically generous.
"The Pentecostal Movement has been scandalized by the 'prosperity gospel.' ... It seems that the new sacramental element is coin and currency." (pg. 12) Ouch... Have we become so money obsessed that we would betray our trust in Christ and focus our faith and trust in currency? He tells a story of a Charismatic preacher preaching on salvation and healing. When the preacher got to his altar call, he made a strange request in asking for a $1000 "seed" gift if they were ready to receive. The Lord can not be bought, and we should never talk ourselves into believing that any amount of money, time, or gifts would ever be enough to erase our sin. Only Jesus can wash away our sin. I appreciate Dr. Tomberlin's willingness to critique even our own tribe in attesting to the things that should not be.
The last section I'd like to quote is as follows: "When giving the tithe is the first priority of each pay period we protest against the chronic anxiety of trusting in wealth and profess that we are trusting God to provide all things necessary to life." (pg. 30) This one hits especially close to home, from the blog post I wrote yesterday. (Shameless plug) We tithe to protest against the principalities and powers of this world that tell us we MUST have the next and latest and greatest. It is also a protest against the notion that we can provide for ourselves. God provides for our necessities, and always will! May we give generously to dispel any notion that our provision is found in anything other than God.
He goes on to say, "For Christians tithing is a minimal spiritual discipline. The tithe tutors us in giving. If we are to walk in the fullness of maturity in Christ, then we must live and give generously." (pg. 9) It is great when people tithe, but we must continue to call people to a deeper understanding of the Lord. The tithe isn't some membership fee that keeps us in good standing with the church or with God, but is instead a discipline so that we can learn to become givers. Jesus calls us deeper still. In fact, Jesus wants us to give all to Him. "'So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions' (Luke 14:33)." (pg. 8) Jesus requires all of us, and tithing helps develop us into people who are radically generous.
"The Pentecostal Movement has been scandalized by the 'prosperity gospel.' ... It seems that the new sacramental element is coin and currency." (pg. 12) Ouch... Have we become so money obsessed that we would betray our trust in Christ and focus our faith and trust in currency? He tells a story of a Charismatic preacher preaching on salvation and healing. When the preacher got to his altar call, he made a strange request in asking for a $1000 "seed" gift if they were ready to receive. The Lord can not be bought, and we should never talk ourselves into believing that any amount of money, time, or gifts would ever be enough to erase our sin. Only Jesus can wash away our sin. I appreciate Dr. Tomberlin's willingness to critique even our own tribe in attesting to the things that should not be.
The last section I'd like to quote is as follows: "When giving the tithe is the first priority of each pay period we protest against the chronic anxiety of trusting in wealth and profess that we are trusting God to provide all things necessary to life." (pg. 30) This one hits especially close to home, from the blog post I wrote yesterday. (Shameless plug) We tithe to protest against the principalities and powers of this world that tell us we MUST have the next and latest and greatest. It is also a protest against the notion that we can provide for ourselves. God provides for our necessities, and always will! May we give generously to dispel any notion that our provision is found in anything other than God.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews