The Generosity Ladder: Your Next Step to Financial Peace

by Nelson Searcy

The Generosity Ladder is the quintessential guidebook for anyone who desires to handle money with excellence. Written as an answer to all of the questions and misunderstandings that surround the intersection of God and money, The Generosity Ladder clarifies, once and for all, what the Bible really says about honoring God with our finances and details a step-by-step plan for attaining financial excellence.
Published alongside Maximize , Nelson Searcy's much-anticipated stewardship guidebook for church leaders, The Generosity Ladder will allow laypeople to fully grasp God's plan for their finances, acknowledge their current level of stewardship, and chart out the steps they need to take in order to handle money in a way that honors God.

Genres: Finance, Money

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent Read

I’m not against the ideal of tithing but the subject is abused and twisted a lot by Pastors that it’s been hard to see the heart behind the actual giving itself. The authors does a good job reminding its readers of the heart of giving.

[Madison Cowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very convicting but also practical on how to tithe! I highly recommend! After reading this, it makes me want to dig into all of Dave Ramsey’s books.

[Scott Draper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. I’ll have to look up the scripture references a bit more. Obviously written to encourage people to give money to their church and written by a pastor, who isn’t exactly non-biased there. I personally give to a variety of organizations that I believe are all doing God’s work. The book says “no, the whole tithe need to go to the church”. Well, for me, that’s not true. Giving to other organizations that are doing God’s work would seem to all fit into the plan. So book seems to be a bit manipulative in trying to generate revenue for the church specifically.

[Ashley Menard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a huge fan of this book. I agree giving/tithing is important, but he lays it on thick. Some of the way he uses Bible verses too really bothers me as well, because he is not quoting it 100% correctly and using it to prove points the Bible didn't use.

[Leanne Hammer Procter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motivating and biblical, but lacks an applicable action plan. Seems like a simplified version of other financial books.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Generosity Ladder: Your Next Step to Financial Peace", by Nelson Searcy with Jennifer Dykes Henson.

This is a wonderful guide on generous giving and financial security.

[Clifford Luebben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, easy to read, biblically based, teachings are clearly communicated, spiritually and practically challenging.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from my church during our tithing series. It has a lot of good information and is a quick read. I wish it had more of a plan to begin tithing. (EC)

[Angela]

A short read. I did get ideas on what to do with extra money I receive. This has always stumped me, but not anymore.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic remedial giving for amateurs. If you've never considered the topic before, I guess it's fine, but there's nothing new here for those with any background at all in the issue.

[Emily Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who wants to live a blessed life financially by implementing biblical principles with their finances.

[George P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Searcy, Nelson, and Jennifer Dykes Henson. 2010. The Generosity Ladder: Your Next Step to Financial Peace. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Many Americans live with financial stress but long for financial peace. In The Generosity Ladder, Nelson Searcy offers practical, biblical advice for how to fulfill that longing. Searcy mentions sound financial practices such as getting out of debt, creating a budget, and living within one’s means (38, 76, 103–105). But he focuses on how to “live an openhanded life,” which is the essence of Jesus’ teachings about money and possessions (33).

The openhanded life requires a paradigm shift: “your money is not yours. You are just a manager. God doesn't give us increase so that we can be more comfortable or advance our lifestyle. He gives us more so that we can give more” (90). But it also involves taking incremental steps toward greater levels of giving, from “initial giving” (43) to “proportional giving” or tithing (54) to “sacrificial giving” (82). And it results in blessing: “When you begin tithing, God's spiritual laws kick into high gear. Since you are honoring him, he honors you. I’m not promising his blessings are always going to be tangible. But they will be there, tangible and intangible” (73).

I don’t disagree with Searcy’s perspective on generosity. However, I was disappointed that a book about “financial peace” focused on only one aspect of the biblical teaching on financial stewardship and dealt so cursorily with sound financial practices. The whole biblical teaching is what leads to financial peace, not merely the generosity component of it.

The Generosity Ladder is short (about 100 pages), easy to read, and inexpensive ($6.99). If you register at GenerosityLadder.com, you will receive additional resources to use with the book. However, if pastors use this book in sermon series or church members in Sunday school or small groups, they should supplement it with Christian books that address other aspects of stewardship.

P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.

[Macario · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about the basics of Godly stewardship of money and possessions. It is about a 2 hour read without interruptions. He offers some solutions and a few web pages for more in depth learning. I will be reading it again so that it will sink in more. Money is one of the most talked about subjects in the Bible and as such is something Christians should learn. In the self centered world of Americanized Christianity I found this book to a step in the right direction.

[Jon Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief exhortation regarding stewardship, tithing, and giving. Some well-worn, tried and true advice ("Get out of debt") mixed with some straight talk about tithing and obedience. Would need more in-depth practical information to rate as a great or really good book and it walks close to the edge of prosperity gospel but never steps over the line. I was encouraged and challenged by this little book.

[Kellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are just learning about tithing, this is a good book for you. As someone who has been through Financial Peace University and other financial classes, this book shared several of the same principals.

[Rick Stonestreet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read on the Biblical view of tithing. Many want to say this is not for today but this book explains tithing is not the goal but the start. When you live under grace you want to do above the law. For the Christian the tithe is is the minimum rather than the goal.

[Ryan Landgraff · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars - only because it summarizes many great points from other books I've read. But still a very good book without going down rabbit trails.

Best part of the book clarifies the only thing we are to test God about....

[Joel Rockey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic practical instruction on financial giving. Good starting point. I would definitely recommend this to someone interested in giving or someone who is new to the idea of giving. Very short read - I enjoyed it.

[Daniel Moss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished it in like 20 minutes. It's a good little reminder of the benefits of a giving heart. I'm reminded not only of how this manifests in my own life, but also of the great need to develop such a giving heart in my kids' lives.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book that gives you some good principals to live by when it comes to your finances :)

[JJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Little book about giving to church.

[Francisco Marroquin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book as it put into perspective how important it is to just give. And it doesn't have to be money. Time is very important too. I plan to give more this year!

[Mark Chaffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid quick read on the age old biblical perspective on giving.

[Ericka Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having already been through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace, this book was redundant for me. If you question whether or not to share your blessings, this could be for you.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and easy

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely easy to follow and short

[Chad Greenough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. The perfect resource for anyone who doesn't believe that tithing is required. Proves how important it is to tithe!!

[Ellen Kucharik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approaches budgeting from the act of giving!

[Walter McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Loved it. Search addresses many of the issues regarding finances and the believer. It truly is a heart issue. I will recommend it

[Matthew Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent encouragement to be a generous giver as a Christian.