Randy Alcorn's Blog

Might God Be Calling You to Set a Financial Finish Line, and Give the Rest away?

Randy Alcorn — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Our ministry was sent this video from Set Free Alliance, a ministry focused on giving clean water, rescuing children, providing mobile medical clinics, and planting churches. One of their donors, attorney Peter Manning, was deeply impacted by my book The Treasure Principle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt6eMcGu6rQ

Peter became a “reverse tither,” with the goal to live off 10% of his income and give the rest away. I love the enthusiasm and joy in his words:

“To earn money so I can give it away, is just fun!”

“It’s a blessing that God has used me in this small fashion.”

He’s right—what a privilege to give God’s money back to Him! R. G. LeTourneau, inventor of the world’s largest earth moving machines, gave away 90% of his income. He often quoted a friend who said, “God shovels it out, and I shovel it back; but God has a bigger shovel.”

You may feel that living on 10% of your income would be impossible. But why not ask God, “Do You want me to set a basic level of income and assets to live on, then immediately give away whatever You provide beyond that?” (Regardless of whether that’s 30%, 50%, 90%, or more?)

I believe the Christian community should be filled with people who set caps on their lifestyles, giving away everything above that amount. Some call this “setting a finish line.” That means if we make a predetermined amount of money or save a certain amount, that’s it. We won’t accumulate any more. We’ll give away everything else. That isn’t sacrificial giving, it’s giving according to our ability. Yet, by most of our standards, it’s so radical we may not know anyone who lives that way.

John Wesley preached that Christians should not merely tithe but give away all extra income once the family and creditors are taken care of. He believed that with increasing income, a Christian’s giving, not his lifestyle, should increase. He began this practice at Oxford and continued it throughout his life. Even when his income rose to thousands of pounds, he lived simply and quickly gave away his surplus. He was afraid of laying up treasures on Earth, so the money went out to charity as quickly as it came in. Wesley’s practice is in keeping with Scripture (2 Corinthians 8:14; 9:11).

I urge you to embrace Christ’s invitation: “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38). Then, when He gives you more, remind yourself why: “So that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:11). When you give more and more, as Peter Manning has discovered, you’ll experience God’s joy. When you give, you’ll feel His pleasure! And God may choose to increase your income, not to raise your standards of living, but to raise your standard of giving. What a privilege that is!

How Can We Be Ready to Meet the Lord?

Randy Alcorn — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700

A reader asked me, “I often hear the saying ‘I want to be ready to meet my Lord.’ Can you explain what exactly you mean by this, please?”

First of all, and most importantly, being ready to meet the Lord means you’ve made sure of your relationship with Jesus Christ, and are trusting only Him to save you—not anyone or anything else, and certainly not any good works you’ve done. R. A. Torrey put it this way: “I am ready to meet God face to face tonight…for all my sins are covered by the atoning blood.”

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” And in John 5:24 Jesus tells us, “Whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

Once you’ve accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, being ready to meet the Lord means living in a way that pleases Him so that whenever He calls you home—and knowing that could be any time—you can hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Scripture teaches with unmistakable clarity that all believers in Christ will give an account of their lives to their Lord (Romans 14:10-12). Even if Christ does not return for two hundred years, we will meet Him in our deaths, whether in twenty years, twenty months, or twenty minutes. God encourages us not to be surprised about the soon coming of our appointment to stand before Him. If we are ready to meet Christ, we will long for His return. If we are not ready, we will dread it. If we do not feel ready to meet Him, now is the time to get ready.

Readers of my books are probably familiar with my emphasis on how five minutes after we die, we’ll know exactly how we should have lived. But we can’t do life here over again. There’s no retaking the course once we’ve failed it. There’s no improving a D to an A. No rescheduling the final exams. Death is the deadline. There’s no extension.

The good news is we don’t have to wait until we die to know how we should live! God has given us His Word to tell us how to live and His indwelling Spirit to empower us to live as we should. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3, NIV). Every day God gives us is an opportunity to live for Christ: “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:9).

If we are His children, God is for us, not against us (Romans 8:31). He has assured us our names are written in the Book of Life, and we won’t face the Great White Throne Judgment. He wants to commend and reward us at the judgment seat of Christ. He doesn’t want the works of our lifetime to go up in smoke. He wants us to have eternal rewards—and He has given us every resource in Christ to live the godly life that will result in those eternal rewards. “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12).

Peter says, “If you do these things, [then] you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11). What a powerful encouragement this is to saints who sacrifice in this life to prepare for the next! In Heaven a great welcoming committee awaits them and a hearty “Well done!” But this isn’t automatic—the conditional “if, then” makes it clear that if we don’t do what Peter prescribed, then we won’t receive this rich welcome when we enter Heaven.

In my book The Purity Principle, I share how years ago I was approached by a woman who told me that a year earlier her husband had come to her in tears, confessing his attraction to a coworker. He was under constant temptation and felt himself slipping. He committed himself to back off from the relationship and asked his wife to understand and pray for him. She was hurt but realized she needed to help him rather than feel sorry for herself.

The result? Not only did he back off, but through his wife’s support they drew closer together than ever. In tears she told me, “Two months ago my husband died without warning. If he hadn’t been honest with me that night, he would have had an affair with that woman—and likely would have left me. He would have died unready to meet God, and I would have lived the rest of my life grieving over his affair. But that isn’t what happened. His last words to me were, ‘I love you,’ and I know it was true—he’d proven it by his actions. I thank God every day that I think of him with complete respect and admiration for loving God and me enough to be honest about his struggles.”

This man was ready to meet His Savior because he changed course and made different choices that honored both His Lord and his wife, while he still had the time to do so. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). Sin entangles our feet, puts us out of the competition, and results in losing the race and the prize. So as God’s child, what personal, spiritual, moral, and financial changes do you need to make to get ready to give Him a face-to-face account of your job performance, and to hear “well done”?

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Is Good Stewardship Compatible with Taking Vacations?

Randy Alcorn — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700

By God’s grace, Nanci and I found we could give away my book royalties and a good portion of our discretionary income, yet still have breathing room for legitimate recreational spending (and what we kept still left us wealthy in comparison with most people in the world). As I say in Money Possessions and Eternity, it’s not what you give but what you keep that determines your lifestyle, but giving away a lot helps what you keep not to become your idol or to rule you. Things have mass, mass has gravity, and the fewer things we have means greater likelihood that money and our possessions will not hold us in their orbit.

Over the years, we spent reasonable amounts of money on vacations that weren’t “necessary” but served to renew us. Whenever possible, we kept costs low by staying at friends’ places and using frequent flyer miles. Yes, those vacations weren’t essential, yet they contributed to our physical health, and mental and emotional refreshment. I do not regret them; I am thankful we had those times together.

I think that as believers, we should be wrestling with our own wealth in this materialistic, wealth-centered culture and seeking to give more. We shouldn’t assume that just because God has entrusted all this to us, He intends for us to keep it.

Nanci and I sought to not take vacations at the expense of giving generously to God’s Kingdom. Years ago, when our girls were 8 and 10, we received a large book royalty check. In those days, a few checks were coming in, but they were usually pretty small. This one was an exception. As was our custom, we sat down with the girls to discuss the options for what to do with the check. One was a vacation for a couple of weeks in Hawaii, which at the time was a place they’d never been. Another option was to give the money to an upcoming offering at church to fight famine in a very needy part of the world. Nanci and I were touched that the girls didn’t even have to think. They said right away that they wanted to put the check in the offering, and were delighted to give the money away.

One of the blessings that came later was the gift of a free place to vacation in, of all places, Hawaii. Thanks to generous friends, we were able to take the girls there every few years when they still lived at home. And thanks to these same friends, Nanci and I enjoyed many great times on Maui, including three trips there during her four years of cancer. She called Maui her “Happy Place,” and when God chose not to heal her despite our continuous prayers for healing, we trusted Him and realized she would soon be going to her true and eternal Happy Place. I stay at the same place owned by our same friends to this day, for wonderful writing retreats on which I also get lots of time in the water snorkeling, which is not only fun, but sheer worship to explore God’s undersea handiwork.

The danger of me telling this story even now is that it could sound like “because we chose to give to that offering rather than go to Hawaii, God paid us back by giving us many vacations in Hawaii.” But there is no magic formula! God does not owe us paid vacations because we give. It doesn’t work that way. But to Nanci and me, it was nonetheless noteworthy that the very place the girls and we chose not to go so we could instead give to the desperately needy was the exact place God gave back to us many times over. He owes us nothing, we owe Him everything, yet His kindness and generosity are astounding.

By embracing lifestyles that free up money, we can invest in helping others and furthering the progress of the gospel. A vacation can be wonderful, but it is by nature short-lived. Investing in eternity, by contrast, will pay off dividends in the life to come. And yet, we have to be careful to avoid asceticism, believing that money and things are evil. The biblical view is that God has provided for us in His creation a wealth of pleasures and comforts He desires us to enjoy, to His glory: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Notice the underlined clause God places in the middle of 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Surrounded by verses commanding us to give, God tells that He “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment”! Wow. This is not asceticism. God wants us to enjoy His rich provision, while simultaneously giving generously for the good of others!

When we worship God as God, everything else falls into place—and vacations, hobbies, sports, music, and entertainment can all enrich our lives as intended. (Unfortunately, because we’re fallen creatures and don’t see clearly, we can focus our lives on otherwise legitimate pleasures, turning them into idols. And some “pleasures” and entertainment are indeed harmful and addictive.)

So how do we find the right balance between how much we give, and how much we keep to use for our family’s needs, as well as for God-honoring recreation and enjoyment, like vacations? I believe the tension reflected in that question is healthy. As we continue to grow in Christ, we prayerfully evaluate and seek God’s guidance. But may we always be determined to follow His lead as best we can discern it. And meanwhile, we should be careful not to judge others, and imagine ourselves better than they are because of our different lifestyle choices.

Julia Stager Mayo, a beloved former EPM staff member and research assistant, offered these helpful questions to ask in evaluating whether to spend money on a vacation:

Is the purpose of the vacation to:

Get away from day to day life to rest in and refocus on God?

Learn things that will draw you closer to God?

Grow relationships with family or friends?

Experience God’s world in a way that will lead you to worship Him?

Or is it to:

Show-off your wealth and ability to travel to friends/family/co-workers?

Escape from your problems at home instead of addressing them?

Satisfy a fleeting or impulsive desire?

Some more questions to ask might be:

Will this vacation put you in tempting situations?

Is this experience focused on gratifying only your flesh or also your spirit?

Are there ways these same things could be achieved at a lesser cost?

Will spending money on this vacation decrease the money I would have given to my church, missions or others in need?

After praying, reading the Bible and discussing the matter with trusted and mature believers does it still seem like a good idea?

I like what John Piper writes: “Plan your vacation so that it really gives rest and spiritual renewal.” Anticipation of an upcoming vacation or adventure can bring us delight even in the midst of busyness and fatigue. And on a larger scale, God’s assurance of our never-ending happiness in His presence, on the New Earth, should front-load Heaven’s joy into our lives today!

Now that Nanci is home with Jesus, there is such delight in remembering the things we did together all over the world with each other and our children, including the wonderful vacations and missions trips and the ways we served the Lord, gave to God’s kingdom, and invested in eternity together. There is joy for me both in recalling past special memories, and in looking forward to life with Jesus and all who love Him, in the New Heavens and New Earth where God’s wonders and gifts to us will never cease. And always, He will not only be the greatest Giver, but also the greatest Gift!

Finally (and this is a postscript), some will be interested in the fact that years ago in an episode of “The Elephant Room,” James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll took on David Platt, and MacDonald accused him of adhering to “poverty theology.” Then he named John Piper, Francis Chan, and me as embracing the same, which is simply and obviously not true to anyone who knows us. My response to a question about it is here, in which I lead by saying “Well, first of all, I will gladly go down on a ship any day with John Piper, Francis Chan, and David Platt.” Note also an interesting dialogue with David Platt from just last year about that Elephant Room program.

God’s Children Really Will Live Happily Ever After

Randy Alcorn — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700

In The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis paints a beautiful picture of the New Earth in the final book, The Last Battle. The book begins with a near collision of a railroad train, where the children are thrust into Narnia. But when their adventure is over, the children are afraid they will be sent back to Earth again.

Having experienced the joys and wonders of Narnia, and the presence of Aslan—the Lion who is in fact Christ—the thought of returning to earth was unbearable. Then, in the final section, called “Farewell to the Shadow Lands,” Aslan, the great Lion, gives the children some wonderful news:

“There was a real railway accident,” said Aslan softly. “Your father and mother and all of you are, as you used to call it in the Shadowlands, dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.”

That is followed by what is perhaps my favorite paragraph outside of Scripture:

And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia have only been the cover and the title page. Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the great Story which no one on earth has read; which goes on for ever; in which every chapter is better than the one before.

When Lewis refers to the typical fairy-tale ending—“they all lived happily ever after”—some readers may be tempted to respond, “But fairy tales aren’t true.” However, the Bible isn’t a fairy tale—it is utterly realistic, devastating in its portrayal of sin and suffering, not at all naive. Nowhere in Scripture do we see sentimental wishful thinking. What we see is mankind’s devastating separation from God; the death of countless sacrificial lambs; the hard, agonizing work of Christ’s redemption; the tangible nature of His resurrection; and the promise of coming judgment. At last we see the restoration of God’s ideal universe, fulfilling His plan of the ages, culminating in a resurrected people living with Him on a resurrected Earth. Then, and only then, will we live “happily ever after.”

But we will indeed live happily ever after!

By God’s grace, I know that what awaits me in His presence, for all eternity, is something so magnificent it takes my breath away even now. Job said it most succinctly: “In my flesh I will see God; . . . I, and not another” (Job 19:26-27). The prospect of seeing God eclipsed all of Job’s heartaches. Surely it can eclipse yours and mine. Our ship of happiness may not come in today—but it will certainly come in. Meanwhile, laying claim to Christ’s bought-and-paid-for happiness brings us joy today.

Our Family’s Life-Changing Missions Trip, That Began with Trusting God’s Provision

Randy Alcorn — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700

In 1988, I was on staff as a missions pastor at our church. Nanci and I sensed God’s leading to take our daughters, Karina and Angela, who were then nine and seven, and spend two months visiting our church’s missionary families in Egypt, Kenya, Greece, Austria, and England.

Our church wanted to pay my way, but when we figured how much it would cost for the rest of the family to join me, it was prohibitive. I felt strongly that my family should be with me, but there was just no way to do it. In another situation, we might have seen this as God’s way of saying no; but in this case, we sensed His direction to move forward. We deliberately didn’t announce our intention to go for fear the announcement itself would bring funds in. We wanted to see God provide in other ways.

As we saved for the trip, remarkable amounts of money began to appear. Most of the funds came from unexpected sources. Beyond all this, every month we found we were saving far more than we should have been able to. There were no extra expenses draining our funds.

We’d determined not to reduce our giving. Although we would never touch the tithe, we were tempted to rationalize using some of our extra monthly freewill giving to pay for our trip—after all, it was for a missionary purpose! But this didn’t seem right.

Two weeks before the trip, an amazing amount of money had come in, but we still lacked a thousand dollars. Meanwhile, there was a special missionary offering at church. We determined to give substantially to this offering, above and beyond our normal giving. It “didn’t make sense,” but we knew it was right. No one who has seen God work will be surprised to hear that within a week of the trip He gave back not only the money we had given but over a thousand dollars more, enough to give some back to Him once more before getting on the plane.

We looked back at the trip and realized that, humanly speaking, we shouldn’t have been able to accumulate the needed funds. But God provided abundantly. We first had the thrill of seeing God provide, and then seeing His exciting work in those fascinating countries.

Nearly 40 years later, we still talk about that mission trip. What were the long-term results of it? The time we spent together prompted us to discuss world needs and where to send the money God entrusted to us, some to of the very places we visited. Even today, that trip bears fruit, as I periodically ask our daughters and their families to help decide where to distribute the royalties from my books. I’m not sure any of that would have come about if Nanci and I hadn’t made the bold decision to uproot ourselves and go overseas with our children for that life-changing two months.

There were other effects on our girls’ lives, too. My daughter Angela was deeply impacted by serving at a “baby washing” station in Egypt. We look back and see how that trip sparked her desire to one day become a nurse. Yes, Nanci and I took the girls out of school for those two months, but they learned far more in the traveling than they would have in the classroom. This trip shaped them not only for life but for eternity. (If you’re planning a major family vacation, why not visit a mission field? Combine the fun with the education and the encouragement to church missionary families, provided it isn’t an inconvenience to them.)

Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). According to our Lord, giving isn’t what leaves us short of material provision. In fact, it’s part of the solution to our material needs. God promised to provide for givers in Old Testament times (Malachi 3:8-11). And Jesus promised the same in the New (Luke 6:38). When we give away our treasures, we are seeking God’s Kingdom first. And therefore, “all these [material needs] will be added to” us.

Our family learned that as we give, we draw closer to God. But no matter how far we move on in the grace of giving, Jesus Christ remains the matchless giver: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

The God who fed a million-member family in the wilderness for forty years, fed five thousand with one boy’s lunch, and who is perfectly capable of turning water into wine and stones into bread, will not have any trouble providing whatever He knows we need!

The Call to Pursue Purity and Faithfulness to Christ Doesn’t End in Your 60s, 70s, and 80s

Randy Alcorn — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700

A few weeks ago, I posted this on my Facebook page:

In recent years, many cases of immoral relationships of Christian leaders, including those I have spoken with at various events, have happened with men in their seventies. Since I am 72, I take that very seriously. It should make all of us carefully examine our lives and take heed to Paul’s warning, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). And Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” God help us all to guard our hearts and minds and be on alert because the devil desires to destroy us.

Chris Fabry read that post and asked if I would come on his radio program to talk about the struggles of older people when it comes to sexual purity. I always enjoy talking with Chris, who is a great radio host, as well as an author and an audiobook reader (he narrated the audio for my Heaven book, and did an excellent job!).

Our conversation was unique, different than other purity-related discussions I’ve done in the past.

I’ve been thinking about how we can’t coast along in the Christian life just because we experienced victory in our younger decades. We must stay on guard, since Scripture’s command doesn’t come with an expiration date: “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Satan’s desire to destroy us doesn’t expire as we age, either: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

God gives each of us a race to run. The Christian life is not a hundred-meter dash but a marathon, requiring patience, endurance, and discipline in order to finish well. We dare not let down our guard in our final decades, assuming we are already home safe!

Instead, we are to follow Christ from start to finish, repenting quickly of our sins and moving forward in deeper devotion. Yes, there will be dry times, but overall, the arc of spiritual growth should steadily rise higher, not trail off so our lives end in a wasted whimper. Paul prayed that Christians might be “strengthened with all power according to [God’s] glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father” (Colossians 1:11–12).

But sadly, among Christians, failure to endure—in marriage, jobs, church, personal integrity, or any part of life—has become normal. A consistent long-term obedience, without periodic diversions into sin and unfruitfulness, seems to many an impossible dream, rather than a normal experience of the Christian life. Sin has become so common, so expected.

It doesn’t have to be that way, but we need to think in terms of what little choices and compromises we are making that are moving us further away from purity and faithfulness to Christ, even in our final decades. (See my article The Cumulative Effect of Our Little Choices.) We can’t just magically snap our fingers and expect that we’re not going to face sexual temptation because we’re older.

Steve Bateman writes in his article about finishing well, “Failure isn’t inevitable. By God’s grace, you can use common-sense safeguards to help you finish well as you constantly revisit Paul’s exhortation to ‘be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain’ (1 Corinthians 15:58).”

May God help us all to guard our hearts and minds and be on alert. (I encourage you to read my booklet written for Christian leaders, full time and lay leaders both: Sexual Temptation: Establishing Guardrails and Winning the Battle, also available as a free download.)

The words “finish well” mean more to me than they ever have, and I am more determined than ever to complete my race to the glory of God. Especially because I know that after the finish line, what awaits us is eternal goodness, glory, beauty, a restored earth, and a depth of relationship with God and each other beyond what we can imagine.

So I am daily seeking God‘s face, living in His grace, and drawing near to Him. I’m also guarding my life against anything that would ruin or in any way diminish my heritage to my children and grandchildren and the people whose lives, by God‘s grace, I have been able to touch. “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come” (Psalm 71:18).

My friends and I often encourage each other to finish well, especially as we get closer to that finish line, which each of us do every day. Christ calls to follow Him, to finish this earthly life strong for God’s glory. There is no higher calling, no bigger privilege, no greater joy!

What about Pet Idolatry?

Randy Alcorn — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0700

I’ve been asked if in All God’s Creatures I address the issue of people idolizing their pets. I do talk about this in the book, recognizing it’s possible to make a pet into an idol by having an unhealthy attachment. This can be a serious problem. I believe when it is properly held and demonstrated, our love for animals reflects God’s own nature and affection. The problem is almost never with the object of our affection, but that we love it more than we love God. That’s when devotion to pets—or anything else—becomes idolatry.

In God in the Dock, C. S. Lewis wrote:

The woman who makes a dog the center of her life loses, in the end, not only her human usefulness and dignity but even the proper pleasure of dog-keeping. . . . Every preference of a small good to a great, or partial good to a total good, involves the loss of the small or partial good for which the sacrifice is made. . . . You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first.

But the same thing is true of the abuse of nearly every good thing in the world—some people worship food, while others worship their careers, public image, retirement programs, technology, clothes, sports and athletes, hunting or fishing, education, music, art, quilt-making, home theatre, luxury vacations, cars and trucks, shoes, designer handbags, and collectibles. You can idolize your spouse, children, church, pastor, your credentials, career, degrees, hobbies, sex, politics, health, safety, books, your house and second or third houses, and nearly anything else.

I find it interesting that believers who might be effectively worshiping one or several of these things are sometimes slow to recognize their own idolatry, but quick to see someone who does it with their pets. So you can have a pastor who lectures his church or makes demeaning remarks because of how much money some of them spend on buying pets, pet food, veterinary care, etc., but who spends as much or more on his golfing, new truck, and/or luxury vacations. It’s always easier to see other people’s excesses than our own.

It’s right and fair to address the problem of people idolizing pets as long as we don’t make judgmental assumptions, and we recognize and repent of what we ourselves are idolizing. It’s easy not to idolize what we don’t like! For instance, it’s no virtue on my part that I do not idolize opera or ballet, and in fact, might be willing to pay not to have to go to them! However, I have no problem with those who do spend their money on them. Differences in personal tastes are not issues of spirituality.

Our ministry will always encourage people to live for eternity by investing in God’s Kingdom work and making choices in light of what will last forever. But we need to be careful not to judge others’ hearts and make assumptions just because someone makes different discretionary choices in caring for their animals than we would make. Idolatry sometimes demonstrates itself in vivid ways, but other times, it is a hidden sin of the heart. It’s certainly possible an individual needs conviction and repentance about idolizing their pet, but we’re called to not readily condemn people by presuming we know their motives, since we lack omniscience. (For example, someone may spend more time and money on a pet than you would, but also simultaneously be giving generously to causes close to God’s heart. You might not be in a position to know that.)

I do think we should encourage people to order their affections rightly: that is, to bring all of life under Christ’s Lordship, including pet ownership. The one way to avoid idolatry is to take the most pleasure in the one true God.

Tim Keller wrote, “Sin isn’t only doing bad things, it is more fundamentally making good things into ultimate things. Sin is building your life and meaning on anything, even a very good thing, more than on God.”

In an episode of Ask Pastor John about pet stewardship, John Piper offers these questions for reflection:

Does this animal point us to God and help us love God more, or does it distract us from God and replace God?
Does this animal draw out of us virtuous impulses, or does it stir up unrighteous impulses? Do we treat people better because of this animal?
Does our relationship with this animal accord with and confirm God’s order of creation, or does it distort that order? Is the animal starting to fill needs that only a human should fill?
Is the care for this animal hindering resources and time that should be spent blessing other people?

He adds, “Now, I’m trying to be careful with that last question because I know there are people who don’t have pets who are stingy, and they’re not generous to other people, and there are people who do have pets that are lavishly generous to other people. Giving up their pets wouldn’t make them more generous to other people. So, I’m asking, ‘Is the pet hindering generosity to others?’”

And I love his conclusion to the episode: “Get yourself a dog, and be way more generous with other people than you are now.”

A significant part of following Christ is learning to identify and tear down idols—figuring out how to enjoy His creations while worshiping God alone. As Edward Leigh wrote in 1629, “The happiness of man consists in the enjoying of God. All other things are no otherwise means of happiness or helps to it, then as we see and taste God in them.”

May God help us to glorify and enjoy Him in all things, including in stewarding our pets!

How to Live Simply and Give Generously

Randy Alcorn — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

“Live simply that others may simply live.” This well-known phrase challenges us to evaluate how we use the resources God has entrusted to us. But it’s important to recognize that simple living doesn’t automatically benefit anyone else. There’s no magic in owning less or spending frugally unless the margin we create is intentionally used to serve others—to feed the hungry, to support missions, and to further God’s kingdom. Simplicity for its own sake—especially if we spend any extra money on ourselves—misses the point.

True simplicity is not just about saying “no” to material things; it’s about saying “yes” to God. It’s about redirecting our resources away from excess and toward eternal impact. The key question is this: How can we live more simply in practical, meaningful ways?

There are countless small shifts we can make. Yet most of us won’t embrace these changes unless we have a deeper reason. Here are six compelling motivations for simple living that go beyond saving money—they call us to live with eternity in mind.

1. We live more simply—and give generously—because this isn’t our true home.

The biggest obstacle to generosity is forgetting that we’re not home yet. Imagine staying in a hotel during an eight-day trip to a foreign country. You’re allowed to earn money and send it back home, but you can’t take any of it with you when you leave. Would you fill your hotel room with designer furniture and artwork? Of course not! You’d send what you could back to your real home.

That’s the reality for every believer. This world is our temporary residence; the New Earth, where Heaven and Earth are reconciled, is our permanent home. Why invest so heavily in what we can’t keep when we can invest in what will last forever?

2. We live more simply because it shifts our focus back to God.

When Copernicus showed that sun, not the earth, was the center of the universe, it changed everything. In the same way, living simply and giving generously helps reorient our lives around God, not possessions. We break free from the gravitational pull of materialism and orbit instead around Heaven’s values. Giving reminds us that life isn’t about accumulating things—it’s about surrendering them to God’s purposes.

3. We live more simply because we are God’s delivery people.

God uses His people to meet the needs of the world. We are His stewards, His delivery drivers. If we forget that everything we’ve been given ultimately belongs to Him, we’ll hoard instead of deliver. Imagine FedEx drivers refusing to drop off packages because they thought the contents were theirs. The whole system would break down!

God blesses us not to increase our standard of living but to increase our standard of giving (2 Corinthians 9:11). We are entrusted with resources so we can pass them on, not stockpile them.

4. We live more simply because eternal rewards far outweigh earthly luxuries.

Choosing a smaller house, selling expensive jewelry, or skipping the latest tech gadget may seem like a sacrifice. But if those choices free up funds for God’s work, the return is eternal. Jesus promised that we are storing up treasures in Heaven when we invest in His kingdom. Every time we say “no” to materialism, we say “yes” to eternal joy.

5. We live simply because the world is in deep spiritual need.

God has entrusted extraordinary wealth to the Church, not merely for our comfort but to reach the unreached. Billions of people around the world don’t know Christ, and many live in cultures without a Christian witness. Sending and supporting missionaries costs money. And that money is already in the Church—it just requires Christians to prioritize their wealth for the sake of the Kingdom.

6. We live simply because the world has urgent physical needs.

In Acts 11, when a famine struck, the early Church responded by giving—each accordingly to their ability. They didn’t wait for someone else to act. They saw a need and met it.

This biblical model still applies today. When we live on less than we make, we create margin to help others. If God has blessed us with more than we need, it’s so we can share with those who have too little. That’s what Paul teaches in Ephesians 4:28. God provides for us not so we can have more but “so that [we] may have something to share with anyone in need.”

Living simply isn’t about guilt or deprivation—it’s about freedom. Freedom to give, to love, and to invest in what truly lasts. When we loosen our grip on earthly things, we open our hands to eternal impact.

If We Don’t Speak for the Unborn, Who Will?

Randy Alcorn — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

In 1977, I became one of two co-pastors of a rapidly growing new church near Portland, Oregon. It was an exciting time: People were coming to Christ and becoming true disciples. I loved being a pastor and naively pictured myself “just” teaching the Bible without controversy. But God had a different plan.

A few years later, my wife, Nanci, and I opened our home to a pregnant teenager who had previously had an abortion. We guided her toward placing her child for adoption into a Christian home. Most importantly, this precious young woman came to Jesus. To this day, she remains a dear friend and a courageous spokesperson for unborn children.

That experience changed us, and I began to understand the potential eternal impact of pro-life ministry. At the same time, I was discovering that while I could selectively teach the Bible and stay away from controversial subjects, I could not live the Bible and avoid them.

I read, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death” (Proverbs 24:11) and “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. . . . Defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8–9 NIV). What people are more poor and needy, more incapable of speaking up for themselves, than unborn children?

Who in our country was stripped of all legal protection for 49 years—and who, even after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, are still being killed at the rate of over one million per year in states with legal abortion? (Those are surgical abortions, but the most recent count of chemical or “medication” abortions is 642,700 per year, with rates rising annually.)

Who will speak up for them if not us? That question haunted me and Nanci.

A Burden for the Unborn

Francis Schaeffer wrote, “Of all the subjects relating to the erosion of the sanctity of human life, abortion is the keystone. It is the first and crucial issue that has been overwhelming in changing attitudes toward the value of life in general.”

I was profoundly impacted by Schaeffer’s call to defend the unborn and became involved in pro-life education in churches and schools. Our church partnered with Portland’s first (and then only) pregnancy resource center, and I gladly said yes to serving on their board.

Meanwhile, my burden for the unborn continued to grow, and I was deeply troubled that babies kept dying year after year. I couldn’t escape either the biblical or the historical examples of believers breaking the law to save innocent lives. So, in January 1989, after searching my soul, studying Scripture, praying, and seeking counsel, and knowing it would greatly complicate my life, I began participating in peaceful, nonviolent civil disobedience at abortion clinics. Hundreds of pastors across the country did the same, despite it being so controversial. (I received a call from John Piper, whom I didn’t yet know, after he had done the same thing at an abortion clinic.)

What we called “rescuing” was a peaceful and united action in which people placed their bodies in front of the entrances of an abortion clinic and prayed and sang. Because we believed the unborn child is as valuable in God’s sight as any born person, our purpose was to prevent access to the clinic and thereby save the lives of children who would otherwise be killed after their mothers entered the building.

One time, a woman from my church told me she had scheduled an abortion, and then the night before she watched us on the news, blocking the clinic doors. She saw me standing there, reading from a Bible. God spoke to her heart, and after thinking it through, she canceled her appointment and had her baby. I would see her and her little boy at church from time to time years later. I remember thinking, “If this makes me a fanatic, it’s a label I’m willing to bear!”

I was involved in nine rescues and was arrested seven times, one of which resulted in a few days in jail. I was also sued by a Portland abortion clinic. One court judgment against us was the largest against pro-lifers in history: $8.2 million.

I believe in paying every debt, but I could not pay people who would use the money to kill children. As a result, the clinic came to the church to garnish my wages. To prevent the church from either having to pay the clinic or defy a court order, I resigned. It was painful, having been a pastor there from its beginning, but what the abortionists intended for evil, God intended for good, and he has accomplished his purposes (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). Nanci and I began a nonprofit, Eternal Perspective Ministries, so we could pursue the causes closest to our hearts—primarily missions and pro-life work.

One of the many things God did was prompt us to give away 100 percent of my book royalties to support Christ-honoring and people-loving ministries. That practice has continued for 35 years. The thirteen million books that have sold brought Nanci and me a double blessing—the impact of the books themselves and the incomparable joy of seeing millions of dollars invested in gospel ministries, from evangelism to church planting, from Bible translation to feeding the hungry, from providing clean water for poor children to defending and caring for the persecuted. Before she died, one of the last things Nanci said to me was how thankful she was that we’d been able to give to these great causes. She was going to experience treasures in Heaven, the greatest of which was to hear Jesus say, “Well done.”

Don’t get me wrong: We aren’t martyrs or heroes—not even close. Our lives were never in danger, and even if we had lost all our possessions due to the lawsuits (which seemed like a real possibility at the time), others would have helped us. While our sacrifices were tiny compared to those of many believers around the world, the point is that God showed himself faithful. Our daughters and Nanci and I sensed the presence and approval of our Lord Jesus as he walked beside us. We experienced peace and joy that transcended every difficult circumstance and every criticism that resulted from our choice to rescue the unborn.

For a variety of reasons, it’s been many years since I engaged in civil disobedience. But I believe God called me to that method for a season, just as he now calls our ministry to give my book royalties to pro-life causes along with other strategic ministries. I still speak up for the unborn in messages, writings, and personal conversations. This will always be a cause close to my heart, because I believe it is close to God’s heart.

The Darkness of Child Killing

People have asked me, “Was it really worth it to protest abortion and make a political statement? Wouldn’t it have been better to stay out of such things and continue being a pastor?”

I’ve never believed that I would have done much good as a pastor if I had said no to the clear leading of Christ in my life. I did not get involved in pro-life work because of politics; I was trying to save lives because the Bible I preached said that’s what I should do. It said, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death.” It said, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. . . . Defend the rights of the poor and needy.” It told me, “Defend the fatherless” (see Psalm 82:3). It said, “Do to your neighbor what you would want him to do for you” (see Matthew 7:12).

I asked myself, “If I were scheduled to be killed at 8:00am tomorrow, what would I want someone to do for me?” So I did it, peacefully. It’s not the main thing I’ve done, nor is it the most important. It just happened to be the one that got the most attention—especially in my hometown of Portland—and was the most financially costly.

Satan is a master at burying spiritual issues under the label of “politics.” Long before it was ever a political issue, abortion was a moral issue, and one that God has a clear and emphatic position on. It has everything to do with the worth of a human child.

There are Christian books and seminars about waging spiritual warfare with the forces of evil. But perhaps nowhere is this evil more evident than in abortion. We’re not dealing here with “one more social/political issue”; this is a unique and focused evil in which Satan has deeply vested interests.

Jesus called Satan a murderer and liar from the beginning (John 8:44). He murders, and he lies to cover his murders. The forces behind child-killing are demonic—abortion is Satan’s attempt to kill God in effigy by destroying children created in his image.

When you have stood outside an abortion clinic every week for years, as Nanci did, talking to women who have been lied to and told that an abortion will solve their problems, it changes you. When you have held in your hands the remains of an aborted child, as I have, it brands you deep in your heart. When you have seen the world of abortion on the inside, it is, I suppose, like touring a slave ship. You will vomit and cry and never forget it. It will wake you up in the night, and you will find yourself weeping for the innocent. If I do not sound dispassionate about this issue, it’s because I am not.

Expect Resistance

Almost no topic is as guaranteed to offend some church members as abortion. I well remember how, at my home church, one of the most pro-life churches I know, certain people would stay home whenever they knew a pastor was going to speak on abortion.

Yet I’ve also seen people led to Christ at pro-life activities when the gospel is shared. There may be no better opportunity for evangelism than when showing compassionate care for the vulnerable! Every time the lies of Satan the child-killer are exposed—each time a mind is changed, a life is saved, and a woman is spared the horrors of abortion—God is glorified, and a great battle has been won. No wonder Satan hates gospel-centered pro-life ministry, and it’s no surprise we face such opposition when we boldly and graciously declare God’s truth about the unborn.

Jesus said, “‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Followers of Jesus should expect injustice and misrepresentation, including when they speak out on abortion.

One of the greatest enemies of what Eugene Peterson called “a long obedience in the same direction” is the desire to be popular, whether with the world or with the church. Nanci and I had to learn to have thicker skin when it came to people’s disapproval about our choices to be involved in pro-life ministry. We discovered that if our eyes were on anyone but Jesus, we weren’t going to have the stamina to put up with criticism or outright hostility.

Paul said, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Jesus is the Audience of One. We will stand before his judgment seat, no one else’s. On the issue of abortion, and every other one, we should long to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

God Can Use You

I’m thrilled that the pro-life cause has grown and gained greater visibility in the last four decades. When I was on the board of Portland’s first pregnancy resource center in the 1980s, I remember trying to convince pastors that this was truly a mission field. At that time, there were only twelve to fifteen evangelical centers across the whole country. (There were many others sponsored by Catholics.) There are more than 2,700 pregnancy care centers in the United States and thousands of pro-life organizations here and throughout the world. Many ministries have dozens or even hundreds of volunteers, donating time and supplies and forming the largest grassroots volunteer movement in history.

Even in this world that is at times so dark, I’m optimistic about the opportunity to impact all kinds of people for Christ. I’ve seen joy and peace in the lives of many women who have experienced forgiveness after their abortions, and many women who, as a result of intervention, spared the lives of their children and have since delighted in their children’s children. Someone told me about a woman on her way to have an abortion. In God’s providence, the car in front of her had a pro-life bumper sticker, compelling her to turn around, cancel the appointment, and have her precious baby, who brought great joy to her.

If God can use even a bumper sticker to save two lives—a baby from death and a mother from great harm—how might he use your own modest efforts? Even though it’s not popular to speak up for the unborn, I encourage you to follow the Lord Jesus wherever he is leading you; then depend upon him to give you more courage to take the next step.

Start by praying regularly for pro-life ministries, churches, mothers, and babies. If the darkness of child-killing is to be overcome, it will require humble and persistent prayer. When we engage in pro-life ministry, our struggle is not “against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). I know firsthand that there can be heaviness involved in pro-life work. But in the midst of the darkest day and hardest call, God is a shelter to our hearts and minds (Proverbs 18:10).

You can also give regular visibility to the issue of abortion in conversations and, if you’re a church leader, from the pulpit. As we speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8–9), it’s vitally important that we do so in a Christlike manner, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Consider spearheading a pro-life ministry in your church, or finding one in your area, and donating time, money, supplies, and professional skills. Ask God to show you the unique ways you can contribute, and then give generously. As Jesus taught, your heart will follow your treasure (Matthew 6:19–21). Years ago, my friend used his carpentry skills to remodel the house that became the pregnancy resource center in my hometown. This man, who’s as big as an NFL lineman, wouldn’t be the first choice to counsel a pregnant woman! But the work of his hands has impacted thousands of women and preborn babies.

In eternity, we won’t regret a single effort we made to speak up for the unborn, minister to their mothers, and reach out in Christ’s name. When we are with King Jesus in the new heavens and New Earth, every sacrifice we make now, big or small, will be obviously and eternally worth it.

Will You Choose to Trust God with Your Life Today?

Randy Alcorn — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

In her book Choosing Gratitude, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth shares a pledge written by a Bible teacher named Russell Kelfer. He challenged believers to write these words on a sheet of paper, and sign their names, then make a habit of recommitting themselves to it on a regular basis:

Having been born into the kingdom of God, I do hereby acknowledge that God’s purchase of my life included all the rights and control of that life for all eternity.

I do further acknowledge that He has not guaranteed me to be free from pain or to have success or prosperity. He has not guaranteed me perfect health. He has not guaranteed me perfect parents. He has not guaranteed me perfect children. He has not guaranteed me the absence of pressures, trials, misunderstandings, or persecution.

What He has promised me is eternal life. What He has promised me is abundant life. What He has promised me is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, meekness, and self-control. He has given me all of Himself in exchange for the rights to my life…

Therefore, I acknowledge this day the relinquishment of all my rights and expectations, and humbly ask Him by His grace to replace these with a grateful spirit, for whatever in His wisdom He deems to allow for my life.

In other words, this day—like every other day—belongs to God, not me. So, if God determines that I should spend time contending with a flat tire, an unpleasant confrontation, or even an unexpected trip to the emergency room, that’s completely up to Him. He knows best. He’s the master, I’m His servant. I have trusted Him with my eternal life, and I will trust Him with my life today.

We have a God who loves us and is sovereign over the universe, including all evil. We can’t find peace without believing in the sovereignty of a loving God. The beauty of the Christian worldview is that while we’re encouraged to take initiative and control what’s within our power, we also know that the enormous part of life we can’t control is under God’s governance.

Scripture tells us that God is intimately involved in His children’s days:

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23).
“Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands” (Acts 17:26).

“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3). And since God is eternally wise and good and happy, and we’re not, we’re far better off with Him, not us, in control.

Because Jesus willingly entered this world of evil and suffering and didn’t spare Himself, but took on the worst of it for my sake and yours, He has earned my trust for what I can’t understand. I and countless others have found Him to be trustworthy!

The Secret of Joyful Giving: My Message at Passion City Church

Randy Alcorn — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

A week ago yesterday, I spoke at Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, led by Louie Giglio, who has become a dear friend in recent years. I love this church, and the grace and truth of Jesus is so obviously at work in the people and leaders there.

I did a Q&A with my friend Todd Peterson, who I first knew as the kicker for Nanci’s and my beloved Seattle Seahawks back in the 90s. Todd has since led The Seed Company and co-led Illuminations, the amazing cooperative ministry that has united the world of Bible translators.

Todd and I have shared the platform together at Illuminations and Pro Athletes Outreach, and this time at Passion City he interviewed me about giving, generosity, and stewardship, related to my book The Treasure Principle. I’ve received many texts and emails from people who were at the services, and who God spoke to, and I’m deeply grateful.

Passion shared a clip from the message, when I talked about Nanci and our giving together. It was pretty emotional for me, but was reposted repeatedly by many people and groups, and I was stunned by the number of texts and emails I received from those who were seeing it in a variety of places, including Instagram, Facebook and other social media.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Passion City Church (@passioncity)

I say this in my updated version of my book The Law of Rewards:

That unforgettable Monday morning in 2022, when I held Nanci’s hand as she exited her body and entered the presence of Jesus, I could picture Christ’s outstretched arms and hear his loving words, “Well done.” I could imagine her broad smile as he hugged her. Home at last! And I thought of all the people from all over the world she would then meet and get to know and love—those we had the privilege of helping through our giving, and who thereby received the gospel, food, clothes, clean water, medicines, Bibles, and good books. Sometimes I feel like part of me went to Heaven with Nanci. That’s not only because of our deep love for each other, but because she and I partnered together to invest in people for eternity. I so look forward not only to seeing old friends but to having Nanci introduce me to these new friends we invested in before we ever met them!

Here’s my full message at Passion City:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t3ciz6_ulw

Finally, you might want to take a few minutes to explore what Passion City Church is all about. Some of this may serve as a model for what you would like your own church to be. Whether you are starting a church or seeking by God’s grace to reform an existing church, consider these core characteristics that the people of Passion City seek to put into practice:

Glory of God. Radical Grace. Extravagant Worship.

We are a Jesus Church. A small tribe of His followers connected by our common faith and a deep desire to see our city [and the world] come to know His power and beauty. We are not perfect. But Jesus is. Thankfully, we are a Jesus Church.

Here’s what Passion City says under “Know what we Believe,” also stating “Jesus is our Lead Story”:

1. Knowable Truth

We believe in the accuracy, truth, authority and power of the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God.

2. One God

We believe in a personal God who has revealed Himself as One. God exists in three persons–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–each distinct, yet all of One essence.

3. Uniqueness of Christ

We believe Jesus Christ to be the virgin born Son of God who lived in flesh, died for the sins of the world, was buried, rose again, and ascended to the Father according to the Scriptures.

4. Grace Life

We believe that the death of Jesus Christ was the final and complete sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Salvation is obtained by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. All who repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are born again into eternal life as children of God.

5. Indwelling Power

We believe that life on earth is to be lived in the power of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, enabling them to live distinctive lives in the life and power of Christ, making famous the Father in heaven.

6. God’s People

We believe that those who have placed their faith in Christ are knit together in one Body, the Church, a distinctive community of faith expressed in local clusters, engaging culture on every front with God’s hope and love … a Church for which Christ will personally return.

7. The Knowledge of the Holy

Created by and for God, we seek to passionately pursue an intimate relationship with God in response to His great love for us. To know God is the ultimate treasure of the soul.

8. Whole Life Worship

More than outward forms, theologically informed worship must encompass our entire existence, whereby in all circumstances our words and actions bring glory to God.

9. His Renown

We echo and affirm the Westminster confession: “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” All things exist for the glory of God.

10. Community of Faith

The worldwide Body of Christ functions best in localized communities of believers. Thus we seek to plant churches that amplify His fame, strengthen the lives of people and repair communities so that all people can know the healing power and grace of the Savior.

Bobbie the Wonder Dog, Whose Loyalty Compelled Him to Walk Thousands of Miles to Return Home

Randy Alcorn — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

It was a delight to share some animal stories in my new book All God’s Creatures, which will be released on November 17. Though the book has a great deal of Scripture and deals with theological topics (which are certainly important and, I believe, compelling!), I also wanted to include enjoyable stories for readers. Some of them are more lighthearted; some are especially touching. One of my favorites—and in my opinion, one of the most remarkable—even has a connection to my home state of Oregon.

In February 1924, the Brazier family of Silverton, Oregon were shocked to see their two-year-old scotch-collie mix Bobbie appear on their doorstep. They’d been certain they wouldn’t see him again. Why? Because during a car trip to Indiana, he’d disappeared, after being chased off by some local dogs. Finally, after a desperate search, the brokenhearted family returned home.

Then six months later, Bobbie showed up at their house, mangy and scrawny, his toenails worn down to almost nothing. He appeared to have walked the entire distance—nearly 3,000 miles—with no map, no GPS, no human to guide him. He was utterly exhausted; his family fed him a sirloin steak and a bowl of cream, and Bobbie didn’t move for three days!

Officials from the Oregon Humane Society launched an investigation into the family’s claims because they were so unbelievable. By talking to witnesses who had seen him at campsites between Indiana and Oregon, some of whom had given him food, they confirmed that somehow Bobbie had indeed traveled the entire distance, the last three months of it in the dead of winter. (Bobbie lived in an era where dogs in rural or small towns usually didn’t wear tags; so this wasn’t a case of a kind soul tracking down his home and taking him there!)

Dogs have been known to follow the scents of people on foot for hundreds of miles. That’s extraordinary. But to follow his family who rode in a car traveling thousands of miles? Bobbie’s journey defies explanation.

Across the Great Plains, through high desert, and over mountains—including the Rockies and the Cascades—and then along highways and city streets, Bobbie had undoubtedly faced many dangers. Did kind strangers help him? Did angels guide him? Did God magnify his natural instincts? However it happened, Bobbie pressed on, no doubt fighting hunger, fatigue, and countless obstacles. Once he reached home, he lived out the rest of his life with his adoring family. To this day, only God understands how Bobbie made it.

His story went viral, long before the internet or social media. Newspapers across the country told his story of love and perseverance. Bobbie was featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, and a 1924 silent film, “The Call of the West,” starred Bobbie himself. A hundred years later, in the little town of Silverton, a statue of Bobbie and a mural telling his story honor his memory. Here’s a picture of that statute, which Stephanie, one of our EPM staff, sent me:

Check out these photos of Bobbie and his family. And here’s a six-minute video that a local news station put together about him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbK0PeOWh7w

Bobbie’s loyalty is a reflection of his Creator’s steadfast and loyal love: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

It’s no stretch for me to believe that the same God who will one day reward faithful humans for their labors in this life might also reward faithful creatures like Bobbie—and countless others—for their love and loyalty and willingness to do seemingly impossible feats to be reunited with their families.

4 Right Responses to Times of Suffering

Randy Alcorn — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

When suffering and evil come our way, they’ll exert a force that either pushes us away from God or pulls us toward Him. The perspectives we’ve cultivated between now and then will determine our direction. In my experience, most Christians lack grounding in God’s attributes, including His sovereignty, omnipotence, omniscience, justice, and patience. We dare not wait for the time of crisis to learn perspective! The time to study these things in the Bible is now.

Now is the time to contemplate these words of God about the future that awaits us:

Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:3–5)

But what about when we’re already experiencing suffering—when it’s too late to prepare, or even when we’re as prepared as we could realistically be? What can we do to more fully embrace God’s purposes in the midst of our ordeal?

We should realize it is not too late to prepare, because the time we spend today worshiping God and learning from His Word and His people will prepare us for tomorrow.

Based on what God has given us in Christ, we can be sure He’ll give us all we need to endure evil and suffering. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). When God has given us the greatest gift, the one that cost Him everything, shouldn’t we trust Him to give us the good gifts that cost Him nothing?

Trusting God for the grace to endure adversity is more an act of faith than is trusting Him for deliverance from it. And we can demonstrate that trust with actions and attitudes like these:

1. Look to God’s promises for comfort.

Holding on to Scripture sustains us through suffering. A woman in our church who has suffered reads her Bible each night, then hugs it as she falls asleep. She asked a pastor self-consciously, “Is that weird?” It may be unusual, but it certainly isn’t weird. By clinging to God’s promises, she clings to God.

In a time of dark suffering and dread, David affirmed,

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?... Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.... Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.... I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (Psalm 27:1, 3, 10, 13–14)

Notice how David talks to himself about God’s faithfulness and goodness, encouraging himself to wait on God. It’s worth listening to self-talk if it involves speaking God’s Word.

Years ago I turned off talk radio to listen to the Bible instead. Scripture, loaded on my iPod, accompanies me as I travel. I never regret investing my time this way—why listen to one more human voice when you can listen to God’s?

2. Anticipate God’s rewards.

Evil and suffering are temporary, but God’s goodness and our joy will be eternal. Jesus told suffering believers to “rejoice... and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven” (Luke 6:23). Greater suffering for Christ will bring us greater eternal rewards.

The believers described in Faith’s Hall of Fame (see Hebrews 11) all endured severe tests. None of them had an easy life. Yet they all clung to their belief in God’s promises, trusting His goodness and believing “that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (verse 6, NASB).

Sadly, the doctrine of eternal rewards is one of the most neglected teachings in the Western church today, partly explaining our failure to face suffering with greater perspective and to anticipate what awaits us in Heaven.

Knowing that suffering will one day end gives us strength to endure this day. Though we don’t know exactly when, we do know for sure that either by our deaths or by Christ’s return, our suffering will end. From before the beginning, God drew the line in eternity’s sand to say for His children, “This much and no more, then endless joy.”

3. Lighten the load through prayer.

Suffering often induces stress and anxiety. If you pray in light of God’s sovereign grace and unfailing love, your anxiety will eventually give way to peace. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).

Worry is momentary atheism crying out for correction by trust in a good and sovereign God. Paul, whom we seldom think of as vulnerable, wrote, “For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8–9, ESV). God uses suffering to break us of self-dependence and bring us to rely on Him.

He helps us learn that He alone can bear the full weight of our pain, and give us strength and life when we feel only weakness and death. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Looking back at her eighteen-month-old son’s death, my friend Ann Stump said, “I learned what it was like not to be able to do something on my own. I couldn’t get up in the morning without the Lord’s help.”

4. Share your life with others who suffer.

I encourage you to get in touch with the suffering of others. Reach out to those who suffer. Give your time and energy and money to work with the poor, the unemployed, the lonely, and those who battle illnesses, disabilities, or addictions. My time spent with suffering people has been an investment not just in their lives, but also in mine.

Consider this: “The God of all comfort... comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). When God uses us to help others, we discover a joy we’d never have known if we had never suffered.

Four Opportunities for Christians to Be Salt and Light during Pride Month

Randy Alcorn — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

A few summers ago, a friend sent me this photo of the word PRIDE prominently displayed outside a church. Pride is the root of all sins, but historically most people have been ashamed of their sins, not proud of them. And that gives the hope of repentance and turning to Christ for forgiveness. But to commit or endorse sin (including greed, gossip, gluttony, and self-righteousness, as well as sexual sins) and then publicly declare pride in it, is not only sad, but frightening, in light of the prospect of God’s judgment. It is picking a fight with Almighty God, who has never lost a fight, and never will.

We don’t need a pride month. We need a humility month in which we align ourselves as with God, not against Him. “…be clothed with humility, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Every false worldview is a death-giving alternative to the life-giving gospel of God’s kingdom. God’s charge to the Apostle Paul was to go to the Gentiles, “to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me’” (Acts 26:18). May we pray for God to do the same in the lives of so many today who desperately need to turn from darkness to light, from hopelessness to the eternal hope Jesus offers. (I shared a series of articles on my blog related to gender confusion, and how we can respond with grace and truth. They remain timely, and I hope you’ll take the time to read them.)

Author and pastor Garrett Kell shared these four opportunities we have to respond to Pride Month:

June uniquely provides many opportunities for Christians to be light in a dark world.

1. Opportunity to pray for God to save the lost.

Colossians 4:3-4 – “…pray…that God may open to us a door for the word” God calls all people, gay or straight, to repent of sin and trust in Christ. Pray for open doors to declare the good news that Jesus died and rose to forgive all sorts of sinners.

2. Opportunity to answer questions from those in the LGBTQ community.

1 Peter 3:15 – “…honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

Believers should be ready to kindly, compassionately, and courageously explain from Scripture why we believe God’s design of humanity, gender, and sex are good and joy-giving. We should also be ready to explain that someone’s sexual orientation is not the most important part of who they are, but rather knowing Jesus is what matters most.

3. Opportunity for struggling Christians to get help from the church.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “…admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”

Pride month can present a unique season of temptation for believers who struggle with same sex attraction or who have come out from a gay lifestyle. The church must be a refuge for the struggling so they can receive help to continue walking with Jesus.

4. Opportunity for Christians to suffer for Jesus’s sake.

1 Peter 4:12-13 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.”

For many Christians, Pride Month brings pointed times of persecution. Family members may malign you, employers may pressure you, and friends may cancel you. Dear believer, never be ashamed to stand with Jesus and suffer for His Name. He is worthy of whatever following Him may cost you.

Experiencing Your Identity in Christ

Randy Alcorn — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Just because God has made us righteous and guiltless in Christ doesn’t mean we automatically experience the benefits of who we are. Our minds are like audio players, constantly running a message. We see our entire lives in the light of this message. We interpret everything in a way that reinforces our fundamental beliefs about ourselves.

I may interpret everything I do as great, meaningful, more special and significant than what anyone else does. Everything I see reinforces my inflated prideful opinion of myself:

I am more important than other people. My ideas are always better, my insights more profound, my work more skillful. Without me, my family and church would crumble. I am indispensable. God needs me on his team, and everybody should be grateful I’m around. I will see that I get all that’s coming to me. After all, I deserve it.

This is the kind of attitude that Romans 12:3 warns us not to have: “Don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought to think.” However, the verse also says we are to think of ourselves with sound judgment, which means we are to think accurately about ourselves. Thinking accurately means that not only are we not to think too highly of ourselves, but neither are we to think too lowly of ourselves. Some people certainly do have a pride problem, but many others have a self-depreciation problem. This is the sort of audio they runs through their minds:

I am a failure, a loser. I lack the personality, good looks, and brains of successful people. I will never be as good as others. I don’t do anything right. Nobody likes me, and those that seem to must just be pretending. God can’t use me. I’m not a worthwhile person and probably never will be.

Both the prideful and the self-depreciating views are a product of a conformed mind, a mind that takes its cues from the world or self or Satan rather than from God. The transformed mind is very different. The audio that runs through it says this:

I am far from perfect, but I’m immeasurably valuable to God. He specially created me in his image, and I’m unique. Christ thought enough of me to die for me and not consider it a waste.

As a Christian, I’m a child of God. I am clothed with Christ’s righteousness. God is on my side. According to his promise, I will spend eternity with him. God has seen me at my worst and still loves me.

This means that regardless of how I feel about myself and how I think others feel about me, I am loved by God. I am totally secure in Christ’s unconditional and unfailing love. And as long as he has me here, there’s a great purpose to my life.

As you re-read these messages, consciously reject the wrong ones and embrace the right one. The more you fill your mind with the biblical truth about who you are, the more your self-image will come into line with God-revealed reality.

Randy Alcorn's Blog

Might God Be Calling You to Set a Financial Finish Line, and Give the Rest away?

Recommended Reading

How Can We Be Ready to Meet the Lord?

Recommended Reading

Is Good Stewardship Compatible with Taking Vacations?

Recommended Reading

God’s Children Really Will Live Happily Ever After

Recommended Reading

Our Family’s Life-Changing Missions Trip, That Began with Trusting God’s Provision

Recommended Reading

The Call to Pursue Purity and Faithfulness to Christ Doesn’t End in Your 60s, 70s, and 80s

Recommended Reading

What about Pet Idolatry?

Recommended Reading

How to Live Simply and Give Generously

Recommended Reading

If We Don’t Speak for the Unborn, Who Will?

A Burden for the Unborn

The Darkness of Child Killing

Expect Resistance

God Can Use You

Recommended Reading

Will You Choose to Trust God with Your Life Today?

Recommended Reading

The Secret of Joyful Giving: My Message at Passion City Church

Recommended Reading

Bobbie the Wonder Dog, Whose Loyalty Compelled Him to Walk Thousands of Miles to Return Home

Recommended Reading

4 Right Responses to Times of Suffering

1. Look to God’s promises for comfort.

2. Anticipate God’s rewards.

3. Lighten the load through prayer.

4. Share your life with others who suffer.

Recommended Reading

Four Opportunities for Christians to Be Salt and Light during Pride Month

Recommended Reading

Experiencing Your Identity in Christ

Recommended Reading