Want to have fun, cultivate a generous community, and gain some friends and allies for your giving journey? All these benefits and more are baked right into a generosity book club, along with some great snacks (hopefully).
Unlike reading on your own, a book club focused on generosity can provide a sense of accountability (so you actually finish the book!) and encourage you to apply the principles you are learning with friends to your daily life.
Getting started
If you’re looking for a great source of books about biblical generosity, NCF’s Generosity Library is a great place to start. You can search for books related to the topics of the biblical foundations of generosity, legacy, family, causes, or wealth and resources. You’ll even find related podcasts, videos, and articles.
Here are seven books to consider for your club:
- The Book of Giving by Pierce Taylor Hibbs – Described by one theologian-reviewer as a “thoughtful … intentionally lyrical call to enter the divine circle of giving,” this unique book offers insights into the transformative opportunity giving presents believers and how it allows us to find joy in connecting with the very nature of God.
- When Women Give: The Adventure of a Generous Life by Kim King – Filled with practical advice and stories to foster growth in giving at every level, Kim shares openly about her story and desire to base decisions on a biblical framework. She shares perspective as a donor and from serving on the boards of several Christian nonprofits. If you want to be a wise steward of what you’ve been given, then this book is for you.
- Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper – Some people spend their lives seeking worldly comfort and pleasure. But Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” While pointing to the eternal purpose and God-exalting joy to which all Christians are called, Piper also passionately warns readers of the dangers of a life that counts for nothing. This is a call calling Christians to take risks that matter for eternity.
- Giving Together by Gospel Patrons – Generosity is not an amount or percentage; it’s a heartbeat. In fact, it’s the heartbeat of who God is and who he’s shaping you to be. This book is an invitation to join the adventure and grow in generosity that will change you and change the world.
- God and Money by John Cortines and Greg Baumer – After completing an MBA program together, John Cortines and Greg Baumer began their careers with a realization – the salaries they would make just out of college were already substantial. They were almost guaranteed comfort and security for the rest of their lives. When their financial goals collided with their desire to give extravagantly, they made a life-altering decision that would challenge the views of mainstream American culture.
- Radical by David Platt – It’s easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They were called to leave behind security, money, convenience, and even family for him. But who do you know who lives like that today? Platt challenges Christians to examine how they have manipulated the gospel to fit cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple, then he invites you to believe and obey what you have heard.
- The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn – Jesus spent more time talking about money and possessions than about heaven and hell combined. But, too often, we’ve overlooked or misunderstood his most profound teachings on this topic. He wants us to store up treasure for ourselves, not here on earth but in heaven. Joyful giving brings God maximum glory and his children maximum pleasure.
Discussing God’s ideas about generosity as a group can spark a deeper understanding as you hear the differing perspectives and insights of others. This can be especially helpful if you want to expand your knowledge of generosity beyond your own personal experiences.
And a generosity book club can foster deeper relationships as you share your own struggles and successes in living generously. By creating a supportive community centered around generosity, you and your friends can spur one another to grow and flourish in your giving.
