A Revolution in Generosity: Transforming Stewards to Be Rich Toward God

This is a must read for everyone who wishes to study stewardship, generosity, development, and even fundraising. The comprehensive structure allows the reader to begin with the study of the scriptural basis of stewardship, and as time and situations permit, delve into other areas of focus in the book. Each chapter and section give a different viewpoint. That is the strength of the book with 23 contributors. This is an important book for this time in our churches, parachurch ministries, and nonprofit organizations. It should be in the library of every development office as well as churches and higher education.

Fabulous book on developing a healthy mindset for generosity. It moves us from the transactional approach of giving to get to transformational and giving because we are generous. The work we do in the ministry of development must focus on the spiritual lives of those we serve and in developing stewardship of all of God's resources. The introduction sets the tone and the other authors supplement, build upon and bring fresh content to a needed topic. No need to fear fundraising or avoid fundraisers when the focus is on what God is doing and challenging one another to get on board with how He is moving. The chapters bring benchmarks for spiritual maturity and I highly recommend it to pastors, denom execs, church board, parachurch leaders and people who simply want to grow in this area.

Wes Wilmer's call for a revolution in generosity brilliantly engages twenty two thought-leaders as contributing authors who successfully challenge readers to re-think every aspect of stewardship. Their contributions can be grouped into three core areas: 1.) the role of individual Christians as stewards of all that is God's ; 2.) the role of the church in teaching Christians to be generous stewards; and 3.) the role of Christian nonprofit organizations that solicit charitable donations. All three groups of readers are challenged to raise the bar in regard to their Biblical responsibilities. There are many thought-provoking gems tucked away in this work, not obvious based on the chapter titles. But each of these nuggets could be the basis for complete books, and are sure to challenge your thinking. A thorough reader will: * Ponder the profound impact of the mind shift from stewardship to philanthropy driven by Andrew Carnegie. * Learn about the personal path to generosity, and consider where your journey has taken you on that path. * Consider the implications of today's pastors as "reluctant stewards" of the church's human, physical and financial resources," * Focus on "generous compassionate, loving concern for those in greater need than ourselves," as the benchmark more challenging than legalistic mandates to give away certain percentages of income. * Understand the challenges of discipling the wealthy who often find it necessary to discern the motives of those who seek relationships. * Recognize the destructive outcomes of manipulation in fundraising appeals. * Find the appropriate role of governance balanced by faith as a break-through strategy. Revolution in Generosity: the title implies a promise of things to come. The content certainly deserves consideration and creates great opportunities for small group studies, of donors, church staff, and Christian nonprofit staff and boards. Hats off to Wes Wilmer and all of the contributing authors and sponsors for the Herculean effort to assemble this comprehensive reference.

I can't express my great excitement and encouragement with the book. I've been involved in ministry and money for over 35 years and read extensively about all the attending issues. I think the book gives one of the best overall treatments of stewardship and generosity of any book out there. I would like to see one in the hands of every pastor. I love the different perspectives and focus of the multiple authors. Unfortunately, to our own detriment, money is often the last compartment of our lives that we let the Lord visit, let alone take over. The book is full of Biblical and practical advice to set Christians on the road to becoming the stewards we were meant to be and enjoying the blessings God desires to give. Pastors and pew sitters alike will find help whether they be raising or giving money. The fear, shame and neglect of dealing with the subject of money are overcome with advice on transforming Christians from dysfunctional disciples to practicing stewards enjoying the blessings of being generous in spirit and in deed. Jerry Opp, CFP President Ministry Advance Foundation Portland, Oregon

In a recent Wall Street Journal column by Peggy Noonan, she excoriates the current Republican leaders (she worked in the Reagan White House), with this insight, "...they speak that language [the language of marketing] because they are marketers, not thinkers. Not serious about policy. Not serious about ideas. And not serious about leadership, only followership." Today, the state of Christian fundraising and giving has similar sins. Fundraisers and pastors often focus on the money-raising transaction--not the giver's spiritual transformation into a genuinely generous giver (as Christ demonstrates generosity). Much of fundraising today is about marketing because leaders have neglected the big biblical idea: transforming stewards to be rich toward God. There's help! Substantial help. Three cheers for Wes Willmer, general editor, and his labor of love by inspiring 20 thinkers to contribute chapters to this important book. Willmer writes, "A basic premise of this book is that believers are on the wrong road when it comes to giving and are therefore not generous." He describes the biblical way, the transformational way, to biblical generosity. He's supported by 20 articulate experts, including R. Scott Rodin, Dick Towner, Howard Dayton, Brian Kluth, Lauren Libby, Todd Harper, Rebekah Basinger, John Frank, Ron Blue, Paul D. Nelson, Daryl Heald and others. Daryl Heald, president of Generous Giving, describes a bold step by a member of his accountability small group who played "the money card"--the one area in which no one wanted to be held accountable. One morning, one of the guys put his net worth and giving records on the breakfast table at his small group gathering. "That was the beginning of true transparency," said Heald. The Donor Bucket is one of 20 chapters in my book, Mastering The Management Buckets: 20 Critical Competencies for Leading Your Business or Non-profit. Willmer includes my Donor Bucket core competency in his introduction. But don't settle for the "Cliffs Notes" in my book--read and study Willmer's remarkably deep, but practical treatise on transforming tippers into generous givers.