Jeff Anderson (4)

With a title like Plastic Donuts, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Author Jeff Anderson, former CPA and day trader, begins the book with a story about his young daughter bringing him a plastic donut from her play kitchen. He shows his delight at the “gift” and she reacts with great pleasure. Anderson draws connections between this little interaction and our giving of our finances to God—which He doesn’t require, yet receives with delight.

As many of us know, any sermon or discussion show more about giving can be a sensitive subject, yet Anderson takes away the discomfort that can come with it. He digs into some of the questions often asked by veteran givers and new givers alike. Questions like, “Why give?,” “What’s an acceptable gift?” and “Does the amount matter?”

He could have gone deeper into some of the answers, but at the same time, I found the book to be not only a good Biblical introduction to giving, but a reminder to the faithful givers who may have forgotten why they give.

Because of its short size and Anderson’s easy-to-read writing style, I read it more than once and intend to promote it in our church library. show less

This is a delightful little book. The author's 18 months old daughter gave him a plastic donut. He pretended to eat it and she was delighted. She kept bringing him other items. "This exercise in giving gifts kept brining her back to Daddy. For me, it kept me looking for my child to return to my side. I was moved by the exchange. I loved the interaction and connection. I was so pleased." And that is what can happen between God and us. Giving is not primarily a duty, it is to be a delight. show more Jeff poses 4 truths about giving: 1- the amount matters; 2-we determine the amount; 3-God desires everyone to give according to their abilities; 4-it is the condition of the giver's heart that makes the gift pleasing to God. show less

The title of the book is intriguing. What do "plastic donuts" have to do with Christian giving? Anderson begins the book with a personal experience when her 18-month old daughter brought him a plastic donut -- an exchange of possession and appreciation between the two persons that has sparked the author's desire to study and research on the biblical teaching on Christian giving.

Anderson points out that the church's teaching on tithe could be contradicting and confusing. He is definitely show more right about this. In this book he suggests that Christians should look at giving from God's perspective -- how He is pleased with genuine, sacrificial giving from the redeemed. The book offers a fresh view on such an often controversial and touchy topic.

Although the book is not a bible study book on the topic of giving, it does dig into the bible and presents a comprehensive teaching on giving. It is a very appropriate and approachable book for congregational and small group reading. The book is short. In eight short chapters (each ranges from 10 to 15 pages), it tells a personal story (and stories from other people), and spells out the four principles of "acceptable gifts." As a former accountant and personal financial planner myself, I find the book interesting and refreshing. More importantly, it motivates me to give while lifts the burden of the rigidity of my previous understanding of tithe. show less

I really liked this book. It caused me to think about why I make charitable donations and challenged me to be more open in determining the amount I should give. The book has a solid Scriptural foundation and really paints a beautiful picture of how our relationship with God is the most important thing and how our gifts can bring great delight to Him and to us.