Paul Luckraft reviews 'The Treasure Principle' by Randy Alcorn (Multnomah Press, 2005).

When someone offered me this small book I accepted it willingly and gratefully as something that could be useful and potentially worth reviewing as another resource on the topic of money. I had no idea of the impact it would have: once I started reading it I realised that I had been given a treasure in itself.

The theme of the book is simple but profound – the joy of giving. This is the ‘treasure principle’ of the title. The author claims that “Once you grasp it and put it into practice, nothing will ever look the same. And believe me, you won’t want it to” (p5).

This biblical principle has always been there, but too often it has conveniently been ignored. Unlocking its secret is the aim of the book (as outlined in the subtitle, 'Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving'). Once you grasp what the Bible teaches on this topic, it becomes obvious. The only problem is deciding to live that way, with all the radical implications for the way we handle money.

Where the Heart is

The book offers no hype or false promises, just sound, biblical wisdom encapsulated in an easy-to-understand way. The six main chapters each make a single point which contributes towards the whole principle. Each point is straightforward, but taken together the overall impact is very powerful.

We are reminded first that we own nothing. God owns everything and we are simply his money-managers. Secondly, we are to realise that our hearts always follow where we put God’s money (Matt 6:21). Effectively, look at your credit card statement and you’ll see where your heart is.

God owns everything and we are simply his money-managers.

The next key points are that Heaven, not earth, is our home, and that we should always take the long-term view rather than seeking immediate pleasure. “Live for the line, not the dot” is the pithy way this is expressed.

We are then shown that giving is the antidote to materialism. This is how to combat the suffocation that material possessions bring upon our lives. Finally, we must realise that God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but our standard of giving.

Worth its Weight in Gold

The book closes with “31 radical liberating questions to ask God about your giving”, a sort of check-up to see where you are so far, with short prayers and confessions to help make any necessary changes.

God prospers us not to raise our standard of living, but our standard of giving.

This little, pocket-sized book is worth its weight in gold, and more. Buy it. In fact, buy several and give them away – joyfully! The reward for both giver and receiver will be immense!

'The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving' (128pp) is available from Amazon in a variety of formats. You may also be interested in Gottfried Hetzer’s 2018 book, 'Money ... The Great Deception'.

This latest disgrace is a particularly significant one.

“Should I continue to give my money to Oxfam?” Someone asked me this week. There is no easy answer because if Oxfam’s funds dry up the great work that they do among the poor and distressed – especially in areas hit by natural disasters – would not be done.

The scandal that has overtaken Oxfam in the past week is tragic for those who benefit from the work of the charity and it is also tragic for the large numbers who self-sacrificially work for Oxfam in the field or volunteer in their many charity shops in Britain.

But my questioner undoubtedly had a point – none of us want to give our money for it to be misspent by rogues, or for it not to reach those who really need our help. When we hear of Oxfam workers exploiting women in Haiti, the poorest country in the world, by using them for sexual gratification, we are shocked beyond words.

Surely charity workers can be relied upon for integrity and faithfulness in carrying out their work of compassion among the poor and needy in times of emergency? But does this exposure – undoubtedly the tip of the iceberg of what is happening in charitable institutions - really point to something of far greater significance?

Fundamental Change

Is it evidence of something fundamental happening that is not simply confined to one organisation or one sector of society? Are we really seeing the whole value system collapsing upon which our nation, and Western society, is founded?

This is a frightening picture of the ratcheting up of the forces of social change that have been buffeting the moral and spiritual foundations of the nation for the past half-century. But this breakdown in the charity sector has apocalyptic significance.

What if the Oxfam exposure points to something of far greater significance?

The values of truth, justice, righteousness, compassion and charity (or love) can no longer be taken for granted in organisations once established upon these values and dedicated to their performance. If society can no longer trust the institutions of charity – which inevitably include the Church and all its associated organisations of good works such as food banks, Street Pastors, mums and toddlers, youth groups and countless other groups – where can we turn to put our trust?

Watchmen Asleep

Clearly if Oxfam is to regain the trust of the public there has to be root and branch reform. In the early days of Oxfam and many other charities all the workers, including the directors, gave self-sacrificial service, taking small salaries as a sign of their dedication because they were not in it for the money.

Sadly, today many charities pay their executive staff six-figure sums – more than we pay our Members of Parliament - and the institutions themselves have become more like global corporations than simple charities.

This is the extent of the cultural revolution that has been taking place before our eyes in recent decades as we have discarded the foundational pillars upon which our civilisation is built – one after another!

The changes have taken place because the watchmen have been asleep at their posts, drugged by the intoxicating enticements of secular humanism and political correctness that have crept into the culture and deceived us all.

A Powerful Delusion

St Paul, writing to the Christians in Thessaloniki, spoke of the “secret power of lawlessness” that was already at work in the world and would continue its work of destruction unhindered because a “powerful delusion” would prevent people from perceiving the truth. Jesus referred to a similar delusion in the religious leaders of his own day who, like those in the time of the Prophet Isaiah were always hearing but never understanding, always seeing but never perceiving.

We have discarded the foundational pillars upon which our civilisation is built – one after another.

This is what happens when people deliberately despise their spiritual heritage and embrace a delusion. The great delusion turns the truth upside-down and creates blindness so that no one is able to perceive the difference between the facts and fake news, between truth and lies, between good and evil, between light and darkness.

So, we have a culture in which a teenager this week refused to accept the discipline of his school and took a gun and killed his teachers and fellow pupils. Other young men have brought a false religion to the West and in the name of their god carry out atrocities recklessly destroying life and maiming the bodies of fellow citizens.

These things are the evidence of the breakdown of a culture: of the destruction of the foundations of a civilisation that has been based upon ultimate truth which has been discarded as no longer relevant.

Take Courage

The only hope for the future is for eyes to be opened to the reality of what is happening in our lifetime. That can only happen if the Bible-believing remnant that still exists in every nation of the Western world will awake to the imminent danger facing us and have the courage to declare the truth to a dying world.

It was for this purpose that God so loved the world that he sent Jesus our Lord and Saviour, the Light of the world. He is our only hope.

An update from the Mount Moriah Trust, whose work was featured in Prophecy Today UK earlier this year.

Earlier this year, we introduced Tony and Kathy Stewart and the Mount Moriah Trust, which helps needy believers in Israel and its contested territories (click here for the interview). Now we are pleased to bring you an update on the latest developments in their work - including prayer points for Israel at the end.

From Tony and Kathy Stewart

God is good, He is Jehovah Jireh – the God who provides. Under His direction we continue to enlarge the place of our tent by extending financial and prayer support to more Pastors, congregations and organisations in God's Land. As we commit to providing more funding the Lord increases His provision.

Beit El congregation, JerusalemWe recently distributed a prayer request from Ethiopian Messianic Pastor, Tal Shiferaw and the Beit El congregation in Jerusalem, asking people to pray for the resources needed to equip their meeting place and for small mattresses for the children to sleep on whilst their parents attend all-night prayer meetings. The Lord responded by touching hearts and Pastor Tal now has a substantial contribution towards meeting the needs.

During the year MMT has increased help to Pastors who have to work in addition to their ministries. The value of this support is demonstrated in the letter we received from Ps Eduard Bitiev at the Aviv Centre, which helps drug and alcohol addicts in Tel Aviv:

Pastor Bitiev from the Aviva Centre in Tel Aviv.Pastor Tal from Beit El.Our family sincerely thanks God for your caring hearts. Your financial support gives me the opportunity to be more dedicated to serving in Aviv Center because I do not need to think about money matters and can spend more time with the people who need our help. We appreciate your prayers and support and thank our Lord Jesus for you from the bottom of our hearts! (Eduard Bitiev)

Praise the Lord for all that He is doing through The Mount Moriah Trust.

Tony & Kathy Stewart

The Mount Moriah Trust

Prayer Points

Consider these prayer points as springboards into deeper prayer and intercession.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16, KJV)

Israel's Right to Exist

• There was a recent attempt to try to persuade the British Government to apologize for the Balfour Declaration. A meeting in the House of Lords in November to launch the campaign chaired by Baroness Tonge, got off to a chaotic start, leading to the Baroness' resignation from the Liberal Democratic Party. However, the sponsors are unlikely to let this rest.
  • Pray that this campaign will fail and that the events planned to celebrate the famous declaration will be successful.

"For he who touches you [Israel] touches the apple of his eye" (Zechariah 2:8)

Resetting the relationship between Israel and the United States

• An Israeli delegation has already visited the USA to have preliminary talks with President- elect Donald Trump's transition team.
  • Pray that the Israeli Government will establish good working relationships with the new administration.
  • Pray that the new President will make his support for Israel abundantly clear and follow this through with deeds.

"At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord and the king's house, and Hiram king of Tyre had supplied Solomon with cedar and cypress timber and gold, as much as he desired." (1 Kings 9:10-11)

Relationship with Russia

• President-elect Trump clearly intends to approach Russia in a different way from his predecessors. The West has not always been sensitive to Russia's feelings about the spread of NATO and the EU into Russia's domain of influence.
  • Pray that President Trump will have the wisdom of God as he seeks to reset the relationship between the two superpowers and that any change in direction will not disadvantage the West and in particular Israel.

"He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them." (Job 12:23)

The Threat from Iran

• President-elect Trump has declared his wish to renegotiate the West's deal with Iran over its potential to build nuclear weapons. Prime minister Netanyahu has expressed his intention to speak to Donald Trump about this 'Bad Deal'.
  • Pray that both leaders will approach this subject wisely and pray that they will have the mind of God as they do so.

"I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your SAVIOUR." (Isaiah 43:3)

The Threat from Hezbollah

• Israel has revealed a map showing numerous positions including towns and villages where Hezbollah has established operational bases or military equipment. Israel may have revealed this information both to prepare the nation and the world for future military action and also as a warning to Hezbollah of Israel's intelligence capabilities. Hezbollah has been preoccupied with its role supporting President Assad in Syria, but at some point in the future it will be free to focus again on Israel.
  • Pray that Hezbollah will not be able to recover from its involvement in the Syrian Civil War.
  • Pray that they will take note of Israel's intelligence gathering and think twice before entertaining an attack.
  • Pray that the IDF will be ready and equipped to provide a knockout blow should Hezbollah risk an attack.
  • Pray that Israeli citizens, especially in the north, will take seriously all of the nation's civil defence precautions.

"He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans." (Job 5:8,12)

There is mounting terrorist violence in the Middle East

• Many people were killed and wounded outside Istanbul soccer stadium in Turkey on Saturday 10 December, while many Coptic Christians were killed in a Coptic church in Cairo on Sunday 11 December.
  • Pray for those who have lost family and friends as a result of these brutal attacks.
  • Pray for and for those who have suffered injury to be comforted and healed.
  • Pray also that those who planned and carried out these bombings will be caught and brought to justice.
  • Pray especially for the Christian communities in the Middle East who as we have seen over the last few years are particularly vulnerable.
  • Give thanks to the Lord that a Hamas terrorist cell planning to attack an army base in Jerusalem was prevented from doing so by the security services (9 December). Likewise, the security forces managed to arrest an Arab planning to carry out a stabbing attack in Hebron.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

Israel's growing ties with African Nations

• Foreign ministers and other high-level representatives from 13 Western African nations are attending an Israeli agricultural conference in the first week of December. Israel already has a reputation for helping African countries with agriculture (for example Burkina-Faso.)
  • Pray that these relationships will prosper and that as Israel helps these countries so they too will bless Israel.

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus." (Isaiah 35:1)

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) in retreat?

• A number of states and political parties are beginning to register their dislike of the BDS movement. Canada's state of Ontario voted against BDS, while the Governors of New York and California restricting the ability of companies to comply with BDS. The state of Tennessee also voted against BDS. Germany's Christian Democratic Union party on 7 November 2016, passed a resolution opposing the BDS movement because the anti-Israel action is anti-Semitic.
• However, the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC), is expected to vote this week to fund a blacklist of Israeli and international companies operating in Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and Judea & Samaria. The Israeli mission to the UN said the list is expected to be utilized by BDS activists for anti-Israel activities.
  • Give thanks that certain states and political parties are beginning to counter the BDS movement.
  • Pray that the momentum will continue and more organisations will follow suit.
  • Pray for the Lord to overturn the decision of the UN to publish this blacklist of companies.

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse." (Genesis 12:3)

Hope rises from the Ashes

• The forest fires which devastated parts of Israel were contained by fire fighters and then finally doused by torrential rain. Now the task of rebuilding people's lives and homes has begun, as well as the environment. Thousands of trees need to be replaced.
  • Give thanks that God has heard the call for rain and that no lives were lost.
  • Give thanks too that so many nations came to the help of Israel, a just response for the many occasions when Israel has gone to the help of nations suffering natural disasters.
  • Although the hot, dry weather started some fires and fanned the combustion, the authorities estimate that half the fires were due to arson. Pray that all the perpetrators will be caught and brought to justice.
  • Israel made many improvements following the devastating fires in the Carmel region some years ago. Pray that they will learn the additional lessons from these recent fires.
  • Israel still desperately needs rain. Pray that God will heed this call.

"For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings." (Romans 15:27)

Acknowledgement: These prayer points have been consolidated from a number of sources including Prayer Letters and Newsletters originating in God's Land.

Paul Luckraft interviews Piers Crow, Bible teacher and director of The David House, a charity and para-church ministry with a vision to share God's heart for the Jewish people.

When I met Piers over a late breakfast one sunny morning, I soon realised I was in for a fascinating time. The more he shared the clearer it became that this ministry has an important role to play in what God is doing, not just in this country but elsewhere around the world, especially in Ukraine. Moreover, his own background and the way he was led into this work offers encouragement and stimulation for those seeking to serve God in similar ways.

Prior Preparation

Piers had the benefit of a Christian family and upbringing, but rebelled in his teenage years and dropped out of school. However, at the age of 19 he was saved and his journey with God began. After beginning A-levels again, Piers chose to study Christianity, Judaism and Islam and went from there to study Theology at Cardiff University. He describes this experience as intellectually stimulating but spiritually dry. However, one major plus point from his time there was meeting a Swedish girl who would quickly become his wife.

However, God had a plan for all that study and a 'chance meeting' on a shuttle bus going to the airport in Sweden led to a conversation about biblical prophecy. Chatting with his fellow passenger during this brief journey, Piers was challenged by the fact that the Bible has so much to say about Israel and the Jewish people - something that he had not come across before, either in his university degree or at his church. This made a lasting impression and was a turning point in his life leading to more and more study of the Jewish roots of his faith. But what should he do about this new revelation?

The David House charity has two main aims – to reach local Jews and to teach Jewish roots to the wider Church.

Piers Arthur-Crow, director of The David House.Piers decided that the next step was to enrol for a year at a Bible school in Sweden known for its heart for Israel. This was a much more inspiring experience which ignited his faith and helped him grow towards what God had planned for his life. Yet, where was all this leading? Piers was not at all clear about what to do next but he was determined not to lose sight of the Lord and the life of prayer and study he had encountered whilst away.

He took up a part-time job as a postman so he could continue to study Hebrew and the word whilst praying into God's plan for him. Then, in 2007, out of the blue, The David House came into his life.

Encountering The David House

The David House was not a new venture at this time. It had been started in the late 1960s by Ken Price and since 1966 it had been the UK distributor of the Vineyard magazine, a world-wide publication which aims to stimulate readers to faith in God and his Messiah, Jesus (Yeshua). This magazine is still going strong and is available today.

In 1972 The David House became a charity with two main aims: to reach local Jews ('local' meant in the Cardiff area) and to teach Jewish roots to the wider Church. Ken never went out of his way to seek funding, standing on the word God had given him from Isaiah 49:23, "for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me". He simply prayed and the finances came in, even when the charity grew to such an extent that it was necessary to purchase a building in Cardiff out of which to operate the ministry. God clearly had his hand on this work.

Looking back, Piers finds it astounding that this ministry building was on the same street where his father had had his family business and where Piers had lived as a student in Cardiff. He had passed The David House building many times, never knowing what a key part it would play in his life and calling!

Piers first joined The David House as a trustee, but God had destined a greater role for him there. He later left the Board in order to become an employee of the charity, with the specific remit of running The David House in the UK. Piers very much wanted to continue in the way that Ken had operated and with the same degree of faith. He regards himself as having inherited the mantle from its founder.

The ministry stresses to Gentile believers the need for a firm understanding of the Jewishness of Jesus and the Hebraic nature of God's word.

Mission: The One New Man

What does The David House do today? Its aims have not changed over the years. A primary goal remains to reach the Jewish people and share God's love and purpose for them. But alongside this is the equally essential task of teaching the Church about God's heart for the Jews and of the nourishing root they provide to the Gentile branches of the Olive Tree. It is a key part of the ministry to constantly stress to Gentile believers that without a firm understanding of the Jewishness of Jesus and the Hebraic nature of God's word, it is impossible to fully discern God's plans and purposes for the world, both today and in the future.

In recent years the Lord has impressed upon those involved in The David House the global work he is doing in this day to bring together Jew and Gentile as 'one new man' in Christ, as laid out by Paul in Ephesians 2:11-22. This work was won at the cross (Eph 2:16) but for so long the Body of Jesus has not realised the fullness that Jesus has purposed in bringing Jew and Gentile together in himself.

The stirring of the Gentile Church to realise its Jewish roots goes hand in hand with the steady and significant growth of the Messianic movement in the last few decades. Piers is reminded of Romans 11:12, "Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!" Rather than a passing phase, it is part of the promise of the return of the Jewish people to their Messiah as the Gentile Church becomes ready to provide a greater witness and welcome than it ever has before.

This might seem a daunting task, especially as similar initiatives elsewhere have not always proved successful. But it has become increasingly clear that the One New Man movement is not just the work of a few enthusiasts trying to spread their ideas. Rather, this is both spontaneous and Spirit-led, the mark of God himself upon his Church, clearly indicating the direction in which it should, and eventually will, go.

The Lord is currently doing a global work in this day to bring together Jew and Gentile as 'one new man' in Christ.

Fruitful Conferences

It was perhaps most astonishing to hear that Ukraine is at the forefront of this. God is clearly moving most significantly in that country and The David House has recently started running conferences there, beginning in the spring of 2015 and continuing at six-monthly intervals, with its fourth conference being held in Kiev this coming September.

Hundreds of leaders are attending with an approximately 50-50 split between Jews and Gentiles. Believing rabbis meet with Christian pastors to consider topics such as the identity of Israel, the nature of the Church, the Hebraic context of the Bible, the curse of anti-Semitism and God's will to establish the One New Man. Overall the growth of one new man through these conferences has the dual success of defeating Replacement Theology within the Church and providing a strong Messianic witness to the Jewish people.

The David House also runs conferences in the UK, both on the south coast and in south Wales, and puts on events to celebrate the main feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles to bless and edify believers.

Overall, talking to Piers gave the impression that this is just the beginning and that the One New Man movement is really gaining momentum. The outcome of efforts so solidly biblical and providential is more certain and the fruit more lasting. This is definitely the case in those areas where The David House is involved.

To find out more about The David House or for regular mailings please contact Piers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or PO Box 5395, Hove, BN52 9YD.