Act of Grace: The Power of Generosity to Change Your Life, the Church, and the World

A minority of Christians give 10 percent or more of their income to churches and missions, supporting the bulk of church work done today. If more people give, the possibilities will be breathtaking―but first we must change the way we think. Jim Petty wants to revolutionize your view along scriptural lines. Our money is for giving; it is an exciting, tangible means for showing love and mercy to others. Petty traces this perspective through the stories of Old Testament saints, our Lord Jesus, and the early church. He also evaluates Christian giving throughout history, showing how and why it has fluctuated over time. Although talking about money feels taboo to many of us, God doesn’t have the same reservations, and Petty shows how we can responsibly plan our own finances, including retirement, and encourage greater generosity by educating others in a church context. God himself is a giver, not a taker, and he calls us to imitate him.

James C. Petty (MDiv, DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary) is emeritus director of the Children's Jubilee Fund.