Fields of Gold

What's "Fields of Gold" by Andy Stanley about?

• Overview: "Fields of Gold" by Andy Stanley explores the concept of giving from a Christian perspective, focusing on overcoming the fear associated with financial generosity.
• Main Theme: The book emphasizes the joy and freedom that come from trusting God with one's finances and the importance of biblical stewardship.
• Purpose: Stanley aims to shift the reader's mindset from fearful giving to joyful, faith-driven generosity, encouraging believers to partner with God in His work.
• Structure: The book is structured around personal stories, biblical teachings, and practical advice to help readers understand and apply the principles of generous giving.

Why should I read "Fields of Gold"?

• Transformative Perspective: The book offers a fresh perspective on financial stewardship, encouraging readers to view their resources as tools for God's kingdom.
• Practical Guidance: It provides practical steps and biblical principles for overcoming financial fears and embracing a lifestyle of generosity.
• Spiritual Growth: Reading the book can lead to spiritual growth by aligning one's financial practices with biblical teachings and deepening trust in God's provision.
• Inspiring Stories: The book includes inspiring stories of individuals who have experienced the joy and freedom of generous giving, serving as motivation for readers.

What are the key takeaways of "Fields of Gold"?

• Fear vs. Faith: The book highlights the importance of overcoming fear in financial matters and trusting God to provide for one's needs.
• Sowing and Reaping: Stanley emphasizes the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, suggesting that generous giving leads to abundant blessings.
• God's Involvement: Inviting God into one's financial life can lead to unexpected provision and opportunities to impact His kingdom.
• Joy of Giving: The ultimate goal is to experience the joy and fulfillment that come from being a cheerful and generous giver.

How does Andy Stanley address fear in "Fields of Gold"?

• Identifying Fear: Stanley identifies fear as a major obstacle to generous giving, often rooted in concerns about financial security and future needs.
• Biblical Assurance: He uses biblical teachings to assure readers that God will provide for their needs when they prioritize His kingdom.
• Personal Stories: The book includes personal stories and testimonies of individuals who have overcome financial fears through faith and generosity.
• Practical Steps: Stanley offers practical steps to help readers confront and dismantle their fears, encouraging them to trust in God's promises.

What is the "Law of the Harvest" in "Fields of Gold"?

• Biblical Principle: The "Law of the Harvest" is a biblical principle that suggests those who sow generously will also reap generously.
• Financial Application: Stanley applies this principle to finances, encouraging readers to give generously and expect God's blessings in return.
• Encouragement: The concept is used to encourage readers to trust in God's provision and to view giving as an investment rather than a loss.
• Spiritual Growth: Understanding and applying this principle can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God.

How does "Fields of Gold" redefine stewardship?

• Stewardship as Partnership: Stanley redefines stewardship as a partnership with God, where believers manage His resources for His purposes.
• Beyond Tithing: The book encourages readers to move beyond the traditional concept of tithing to a more holistic view of financial stewardship.
• Heart Condition: True stewardship is seen as a reflection of the heart's condition, focusing on generosity and trust in God's provision.
• Practical Application: Stanley provides practical advice on how to live out this redefined stewardship in everyday financial decisions.

What are the "Three P's" of giving in "Fields of Gold"?

• Priority Giving: Giving should be the first priority in one's budget, reflecting the importance of God's work in one's life.
• Percentage Giving: Stanley suggests giving a set percentage of income, such as the traditional tithe, to ensure consistent and intentional generosity.
• Progressive Giving: As one's faith and financial situation grow, the percentage of giving should also increase, reflecting a growing trust in God.
• Guiding Principles: These principles serve as a framework for developing a personal giving plan that aligns with biblical teachings.

What role does "Prompted Giving" play in "Fields of Gold"?

• Spontaneous Generosity: Prompted giving involves responding to God's promptings to give spontaneously, beyond regular planned giving.
• Relational Experience: It emphasizes the relational aspect of giving, where believers respond to God's guidance in meeting specific needs.
• Flexibility: This approach allows for flexibility and responsiveness to unique opportunities for generosity that arise unexpectedly.
• Joyful Participation: Prompted giving enhances the joy of giving by allowing believers to participate in God's work in real-time.

How does Andy Stanley use personal stories in "Fields of Gold"?

• Illustrative Examples: Personal stories are used to illustrate the principles of generous giving and the impact of overcoming financial fears.
• Relatable Experiences: These stories provide relatable experiences that readers can connect with, making the concepts more tangible and accessible.
• Inspiration: The stories serve as inspiration, showing the real-life benefits and joy that come from trusting God with one's finances.
• Testimonies of Faith: They act as testimonies of faith, demonstrating how individuals have experienced God's provision and blessings through generosity.

What are the best quotes from "Fields of Gold" and what do they mean?

• "Fear has a way of twisting the truth." This quote highlights how fear can distort one's perception of reality, especially in financial matters.
• "The law of the harvest applies to your finances." It emphasizes the biblical principle that generous giving leads to abundant blessings.
• "God is looking for people who are trustworthy stewards." This quote underscores the importance of managing God's resources faithfully and generously.
• "The joy of giving is the ultimate reward." It captures the essence of the book's message, that true fulfillment comes from being a cheerful giver.

How does "Fields of Gold" encourage readers to involve God in their finances?

• Invitation to Partner: Stanley encourages readers to invite God into their financial lives by prioritizing His kingdom in their giving.
• Trust in Provision: The book reassures readers that God will provide for their needs when they trust Him with their resources.
• Practical Steps: It offers practical steps for involving God in financial decisions, such as setting giving priorities and responding to His promptings.
• Spiritual Growth: Involving God in finances is presented as a path to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with Him.

What impact does "Fields of Gold" aim to have on its readers?

• Mindset Shift: The book aims to shift readers' mindsets from fear-based giving to joyful, faith-driven generosity.
• Increased Generosity: It seeks to inspire increased generosity by providing biblical principles and practical guidance for giving.
• Spiritual Transformation: Stanley hopes to facilitate spiritual transformation by encouraging readers to trust God more deeply with their finances.
• Kingdom Impact: Ultimately, the book aims to have a kingdom impact by mobilizing resources for God's work through the generosity of believers.