Business & Professional Growth, Theology, Personal Finance, Religion & Spirituality 

Christians are inundated with books and larger-than-life personalities all positioned as experts on God's will regarding finances. Countering the health-and-wealth attitude are those who abhor any suggestion of financial well-being for a life of poverty, and the middle ground is dominated by financially passive churchgoers with little motivation toward radical giving. The Generous Soul takes a look at money and possessions from the position that the missionary mandate given to all believers extends to the financial blessings at hand, however meager they may be. Explaining that each child of God is a "missionary manager," author Marty Duren provides a solid biblical foundation for a life of generosity based on the faithfulness of God. Periodically I read a book and it hurts to read it. Hurts, that is, in the sense of conviction. Marty Duren has helped us to recapture a much needed focus in our lives: the biblical notion that missional living means missional giving. Buy it, read it, prepare to be convicted, then live it! Dr. David L. Allen, Dean, School of Theology, Director of the Center for Expository Preaching Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas Unlike so many books on Christian stewardship today, The Generous Soul does not focus on a simplistic building of personal wealth by the avoidance of debt. Rather, author Marty Duren defines a holistic stewardship aimed at shaping a disciple who desires to build the Kingdom of God. This is a must read for the Christian or church that is focused on transformationally engaging the world. Art Rogers, Lead Pastor Skelly Drive Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma So far, planet Earth has seen the rise of one and only one fantastically wealthy nation the United States of America. But increasingly we who plumb the depths of this swirling sea of money and privilege and convenience are confronting what James Houston aptly identifies as the failure of success. In The Generous Soul Marty Duren compels a confrontation between the affluent society and the generosity-shaped activity and purposes of God. In clear, accessible, penetrating prose, Duren reminds us or perhaps teaches us for the first time that hands clinched tight around the American dream are neither free to embrace Jesus nor to enjoy the benefits purchased for sinners on the Cross and woven into the very gospel itself. Dr. Mark DeVine, Associate Professor of History and Doctrine, Beeson Divinity School and author of Bonhoeffer Speaks Today: Following Jesus at All Costs Most of us have a problem with materialism - it has even entrenched itself big time into our Christianity. But Duren doesn't just condemn us for our devotion to things; he gives us help and biblical insight in our ongoing struggle in dethroning the god of mammon. Aided by a fresh biblical perspective and stories from his own journey, we get a glimpse into what life would be like if we were to become generous souls. David Brazzeal, Composer, Writer, Chaplain to the Arts Paris, France In recent years, the discussion of missional living has seemingly invaded every bookstore, blog, magazine and pulpit. Yet Marty Duren strikes at the heart of this discussion in a fresh new way, challenging believers to understand the transformative power of the gospel not only in heart, home, and mind, but in wallet and bank account as well. Exposing our materialism and pushing through our excuses, the book is helpful to any person seeking gospel priority in their life, challenging us to move from missional living to missional giving. Rick Garrett, Church Planter, Lead Pastor Epic Church, Orlando, Florida - from Amzon