ACT OF GRACE: THE POWER OF GENEROSITY TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, THE CHURCH, AND THE WORLD, by James C. Petty

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance 

by Kirsten Birkett 

 

About the Author

James C. Petty (MDiv, DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary) is executive director of the Children’s Jubilee Fund in Erdenheim, Pennsylvania. 

 

Contents

Introduction

PART 1: UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF MONEY 

1. Creation as a Gift of God’s Goodness 
2. Abraham and the Blessing of the Nations 
3. Giving under the Law 
4. Kings, Sages, and Prophets 
5. Jesus and the Economics of the Heart
6. Jesus, Money, and the Future 
7. Money in the Jerusalem Church 
8. “Remembering the Poor” in the Gentile Church 
9. Money and Giving in the Epistles 
10. The Theology of Money: Live to Give 

PART 2: LIVING OUT THE PURPOSE OF MONEY

11. Money and Giving in the Western Church 
12. Giving in the Post–World War II Era 
13. Hope for Wealthy Disciples: Lessons from the Church at Laodicea 
14. Teaching Our Churches to Excel in Giving 
15. Leading Our Churches to Excel in Giving 
16. Planning for Generosity in Retirement 
17. Help for the Financially Stressed 
18. How to Give More 

Summary and Conclusion 

 

General Summary

A comprehensive study of the concept of giving in the Bible and church history arguing for increased Christian generosity.

 

Introduction

Since 1921 US giving has remained fairly static or declined, even as income has massively increased. Middle class gives lowest percentage of any group. There is usually enough to keep the church running but not to expand, although there are many areas with great need: prisoners, immigrants, inner-city children, unreached people groups, children around the world, and poor in the developing world. Teaching on stewardship is usually good but too non–specific. Some are “super–givers,” the “evangelical revolutionaries” who keep everything going and who raise average Christian giving above non–Christian. But they are only 20% of evangelicals. The poor and the extremely wealthy give 8% of income on average, far above evangelical average which is 3–4%.

The final purpose of having money is to give. Money is “love or service in a storable or transferable form.” Beliefs about money reflect beliefs about the nature of the world.

 

PART 1: UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF MONEY

 

1. Creation as a Gift of God’s Goodness

“God is the original giver” – giving is “the primary way that God expresses his goodness and love to us.” Creation is “a massive project of pure giving,” a “very good” gift. The earth which is exactly right for us to live on, our self-consciousness, personal relationships, community, and nature. We were given motivation to create for others and give gifts, but we rebelled and became violent takers.

 

2. Abraham and the Blessing of the Nations

God promised blessings to Abraham, but so that all nations would be blessed through him. In Christ we carry that blessing to all nations. Abraham gave generously but Lot was a taker. The idea of tithe is introduced with Abraham’s offering to Melchizedek. God gave himself to Abraham in covenant, and Abraham was called to trust him – as we still are. . . .

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