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The God Pocket
God wants to put a face on giving – and the face he has in mind is not yours, but his.
What if you could take something out of your pocket today that would make God wonderfully personal and absolutely real to someone who, only minutes earlier, had been secretly calling out to God for help, for an answer, for any shred of evidence that He cares?
Discover the incredible resource that’s small enough to fit in your wallet or purse, yet big enough to change someone’s life – starting with yours. In The God Pocket, Bruce Wilkinson tells you what that little something is, explains how to deliver God’s provision to someone in need, and shares how God is ready to reveal Himself through you.
The God Pocket Prayer
Dear God,
Today I ask to be sent to show Your love and deliver Your funds to the person You choose. I carry Your provision in my God Pocket, and I am ready and willing. I am Your servant, Lord. Whenever You nudge me, I will respond! Here am I – please send me!
From the Hardcover edition.
What if you could take something out of your pocket today that would make God wonderfully personal and absolutely real to someone who, only minutes earlier, had been secretly calling out to God for help, for an answer, for any shred of evidence that He cares?
Discover the incredible resource that’s small enough to fit in your wallet or purse, yet big enough to change someone’s life – starting with yours. In The God Pocket, Bruce Wilkinson tells you what that little something is, explains how to deliver God’s provision to someone in need, and shares how God is ready to reveal Himself through you.
The God Pocket Prayer
Dear God,
Today I ask to be sent to show Your love and deliver Your funds to the person You choose. I carry Your provision in my God Pocket, and I am ready and willing. I am Your servant, Lord. Whenever You nudge me, I will respond! Here am I – please send me!
From the Hardcover edition.
144 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2011
28 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Bruce H. Wilkinson
178 books290 followersBruce Wilkinson is recognized as one of the world's foremost Christian teachers and speakers. But he is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller, The Prayer of Jabez, and other bestsellers including A Life God Rewards, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. He is the founder of WorldTeach, a global initiative to train Bible teachers in every nation. Wilkinson also founded Dream for Africa, a humanitarian agency that has taken on AIDS, orphan care and hunger in sub-Saharan Africa. Bruce and his wife, Darlene, have three children and six grandchildren. They live outside Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 21, 2018
A very cute idea, frankly.
Q:
‘I’ve been carrying around some of God’s money,’ I said, ‘and I believe He would like me to give it to you.’ (c)
Q:
‘I’ve been carrying around some of God’s money,’ I said, ‘and I believe He would like me to give it to you.’ (c)
Read
May 1, 2016Wonderful book and great idea "the God pocket: HE owes it, you carry it, and suddenly everything changes." I am blessed to have a mother who does this very thing. I never knew what it was called she says, "Money comes and go and sometimes God gives it to you to help others." When God tells her set aside x amount she does it. Shortly God will put someone in her path and gives her a nudge to give the money to a certain someone. It always turns out that was the exact amount He/she needed. I am never shocked or amazed anymore at the attention to detail our God is. He knows our every need and want. Loved the fact that Bruce Wilkinson puts a plan of action together. Nothing is more important than an idea who's time has come. Nothing is better than when a Godly man stands up and leads. When men take their position of authority back within the Kingdom of God woman are blessed with protection because of it.
September 16, 2018
I really like the idea. It's difficult to make the idea stretch out to make a whole book (even a short one) but I understand that by having it as a book, the idea has reached people (like me) who otherwise wouldn't have known about this idea.
September 30, 2011
Summary: Bruce Wilkinson says that you should carry around a certain amount of money, a "God pocket", as it were, with the intention of giving it away whenever and wherever God leads you to do so.
Review: This is a short book, nonetheless my review will not be appropriately short.
Strengths: Wilkinson is an engaging and clear writer. His prose moves quickly and he tells stories well when giving examples. The whole book could be read in a single sitting without much difficulty.
Also, Wilkinson's call to generosity is an important one for Christians, especially for American Christians who have sufficient material wealth to actually be generous. The idea that we should be prepared to be generous at any time and any place is also a good one, as is the idea that such generosity should be both personal (rather than the more distant methods such as electronically sending a check once a month) and directed towards God as the source of the gift. Not, of course, to say that we can't give in other ways too (tithing electronically might be the best way to make sure that it happens regularly), but that this additional giving should be a regular part of our lives.
Weaknesses: For all its strengths, this is not a book I'd recommend a Christian read about giving (it still gets 3 stars because I have a rock-solid rule that if a book is well-written, it gets 3 stars however terrible it might be otherwise).
First, Wilkinson is far too reliant on the idea of inspiration. The "God pocket" is to be given according to the "God nudge", which is God telling you to give away the God pocket. What is a "God nudge"? It's the internal, unexpected, uncomfortable, and "subtle but clear" feeling that you should give away your God pocket (46-47). The "God nudge" is confirmed by the external "cue" and the "bump", the former of which is a sign from the other person that they actually need the money in your God pocket, and the bump is a question you ask them to make sure (48-49). The problem of course is that there is no Biblical evidence that God works this way. God's primary direction to us is found in His Word, not in an inner voice. We are of course commanded to give, and we have some discretion concerning whom we give to (so long as we're caring for our families and giving to the church), but the claim "God told me to do X" is always a dangerous road to walk.
Second, the examples Wilkinson uses are, well, problematic at best. The spectrum ranges from "person A needed money desperately and person B gave them their God pocket just in time and they both praised God" to "person A needed money desperately and person B gave them their God pocket just in time and person A became a Christian and they both praised God." Granted, Wilkinson (I think) lives in South Carolina, where cultural Christianity might still have something of a toehold and "praise God" might come more naturally, but the bulk of people Christians are going to run into around the country are going to be the homeless, the mentally disturbed, the rude, the crotchety, the loud and obnoxious, and so on. We should as Christians be prepared to give despite the response of the recipient, not in anticipation of a postiive one.
Third, Wilkinson dances around the idea that if you give your money away, God will give it back to you with interest. He does admit that the ultimate repayment will come in heaven (93), so he can't be classed completely with the prosperity gospel crowd. Nevertheless there's a consistent tone that "most people I've met who practice the God Pocket become more enthusiastic givers through their local churches- and with more funds to give."(99) This forgets that the only promises God gives us concerning life in this world are that 1) it's temporary; and 2) it's full of suffering. There is no discussion that God very well might not return His money, and that giving should be done even through suffering, poverty, disease, war, and every other kind of destitution imaginable.
Finally, and most important: there is no Gospel in this book. The other weaknesses could be forgiven if the Gospel were shared as the center of the idea. Our being sinners who deserve Hell, and the mercy of God in rescuing us from Hell by sending Christ to give up His life in our place, these central doctrines of Christianity make no appearance anywhere in the 124 pages of the book. Consequently, this is fundamentally not a Christian book and I cannot in good conscience endorse it as such. To tell people that Christians ought to give without mentioning that we give because God first gave us salvation, and that our generosity is overflow from the generosity God has shown us on the cross, is merely to create a legalistic feel-good theology that doesn't address the true problem of the human condition: that of sin. While I am sure that Wilkinson is personally a Christian, that fact seems not to have affected his "God Pocket" idea in this little book.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
Review: This is a short book, nonetheless my review will not be appropriately short.
Strengths: Wilkinson is an engaging and clear writer. His prose moves quickly and he tells stories well when giving examples. The whole book could be read in a single sitting without much difficulty.
Also, Wilkinson's call to generosity is an important one for Christians, especially for American Christians who have sufficient material wealth to actually be generous. The idea that we should be prepared to be generous at any time and any place is also a good one, as is the idea that such generosity should be both personal (rather than the more distant methods such as electronically sending a check once a month) and directed towards God as the source of the gift. Not, of course, to say that we can't give in other ways too (tithing electronically might be the best way to make sure that it happens regularly), but that this additional giving should be a regular part of our lives.
Weaknesses: For all its strengths, this is not a book I'd recommend a Christian read about giving (it still gets 3 stars because I have a rock-solid rule that if a book is well-written, it gets 3 stars however terrible it might be otherwise).
First, Wilkinson is far too reliant on the idea of inspiration. The "God pocket" is to be given according to the "God nudge", which is God telling you to give away the God pocket. What is a "God nudge"? It's the internal, unexpected, uncomfortable, and "subtle but clear" feeling that you should give away your God pocket (46-47). The "God nudge" is confirmed by the external "cue" and the "bump", the former of which is a sign from the other person that they actually need the money in your God pocket, and the bump is a question you ask them to make sure (48-49). The problem of course is that there is no Biblical evidence that God works this way. God's primary direction to us is found in His Word, not in an inner voice. We are of course commanded to give, and we have some discretion concerning whom we give to (so long as we're caring for our families and giving to the church), but the claim "God told me to do X" is always a dangerous road to walk.
Second, the examples Wilkinson uses are, well, problematic at best. The spectrum ranges from "person A needed money desperately and person B gave them their God pocket just in time and they both praised God" to "person A needed money desperately and person B gave them their God pocket just in time and person A became a Christian and they both praised God." Granted, Wilkinson (I think) lives in South Carolina, where cultural Christianity might still have something of a toehold and "praise God" might come more naturally, but the bulk of people Christians are going to run into around the country are going to be the homeless, the mentally disturbed, the rude, the crotchety, the loud and obnoxious, and so on. We should as Christians be prepared to give despite the response of the recipient, not in anticipation of a postiive one.
Third, Wilkinson dances around the idea that if you give your money away, God will give it back to you with interest. He does admit that the ultimate repayment will come in heaven (93), so he can't be classed completely with the prosperity gospel crowd. Nevertheless there's a consistent tone that "most people I've met who practice the God Pocket become more enthusiastic givers through their local churches- and with more funds to give."(99) This forgets that the only promises God gives us concerning life in this world are that 1) it's temporary; and 2) it's full of suffering. There is no discussion that God very well might not return His money, and that giving should be done even through suffering, poverty, disease, war, and every other kind of destitution imaginable.
Finally, and most important: there is no Gospel in this book. The other weaknesses could be forgiven if the Gospel were shared as the center of the idea. Our being sinners who deserve Hell, and the mercy of God in rescuing us from Hell by sending Christ to give up His life in our place, these central doctrines of Christianity make no appearance anywhere in the 124 pages of the book. Consequently, this is fundamentally not a Christian book and I cannot in good conscience endorse it as such. To tell people that Christians ought to give without mentioning that we give because God first gave us salvation, and that our generosity is overflow from the generosity God has shown us on the cross, is merely to create a legalistic feel-good theology that doesn't address the true problem of the human condition: that of sin. While I am sure that Wilkinson is personally a Christian, that fact seems not to have affected his "God Pocket" idea in this little book.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
October 24, 2018
This will change the way you think about gifts from God and sharing your gifts with others. I highly recommend it. It's a short, easy read with lots of great stories to inspire you.
September 21, 2020
Just alright. Really wanted it to be better...it had the potential, but was flat.
July 21, 2023
An interesting perspective on stewardship and encouragement toward greater generosity.
August 12, 2024
I love the idea of carrying around a little extra money, in the chance you bump into someone who needs help. When you see someone in need, handing them cash is a pretty good way to strike up a conversation with them, and even pray with them, if the situation calls for it. It has dawned on me more and more, that absolutely NOTHING in this world is truly mine. Everything (including my money, possessions, even myself) belongs to God! :)
December 7, 2011
The God Pocket is a short inspirational centered around challenging people to give willingly to God and allow Him to move them to give their allotted offering to a specific person, according to His timing. The book flows nicely, and is an easy read. It thoroughly and systematically challenges the reader to try this "ready to give, willing to share" principal.
Although this is a good, well written, thought provoking book, it wasn't until I hit the sixth chapter that I began having concerns for the theology and motivations presented. Throughout the sixth chapter I felt like Wilkinson was trying to sell the idea of giving to God, so that He would lead us to give to someone in need. I felt like he kept emphasizing -- and made it sound like, to me -- God would for sure and certain return the tangible money back to us, which I'm not sure is necessarily correct. Sure, for some He will and has done so. But perhaps for some people He saves the "return", or the blessing, for you to enjoy in heaven. Or maybe sometimes He blesses us in a different way, in an intangible way, or in some way other than hard cash.
Another point Wilkinson brought up earlier in the book (chapter 2) was the last of seven steps to prepare people to deliver God Pockets: "Step 7. Disciple. Disciple the person by encouraging them to deliver God Pockets too."
At first, when I saw the "disciple", I'm like, yes! Then, as I finished reading the section, I was more along the lines of...what? Shouldn't our first and foremost concern, as followers of Jesus, be to share the gift of salvation with the individual? I felt like the book was leading up to this great opportunity to witness to people, but it all fell through the cracks when instead of taking the opportunity, it encourages us to push off this idea onto more people. It's fine to share the concept of the God Pocket and get more people involved, but I felt like the focus was off from our first and foremost Commission of witnessing.
One last thing I wanted to point out. It seemed that pretty much all the illustration stories used in The God Pocket had almost immediate, visible results, with recipients that were then totally willing to pour themselves out and share how the gift had affected them. I don't think that necessarily always happens. And what if it doesn't to someone starting out on this challenge? What if this new God Pocket deliverer didn't get the opportunity or change to see immediate -- or even any -- results at all? What if they never see the people they share with again, never get to hear how it affected their lives? This could be extremely disappointing as well as discouraging when from the start, the challenge has been painted to have relatively immediate results.
Though a thought provoking book, The God Pocket did seem to have a few cracks in it. I'm glad to hear of the success it has had, but I can't help but wonder if it is painting a picture that may not be true for everyone. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
Although this is a good, well written, thought provoking book, it wasn't until I hit the sixth chapter that I began having concerns for the theology and motivations presented. Throughout the sixth chapter I felt like Wilkinson was trying to sell the idea of giving to God, so that He would lead us to give to someone in need. I felt like he kept emphasizing -- and made it sound like, to me -- God would for sure and certain return the tangible money back to us, which I'm not sure is necessarily correct. Sure, for some He will and has done so. But perhaps for some people He saves the "return", or the blessing, for you to enjoy in heaven. Or maybe sometimes He blesses us in a different way, in an intangible way, or in some way other than hard cash.
Another point Wilkinson brought up earlier in the book (chapter 2) was the last of seven steps to prepare people to deliver God Pockets: "Step 7. Disciple. Disciple the person by encouraging them to deliver God Pockets too."
At first, when I saw the "disciple", I'm like, yes! Then, as I finished reading the section, I was more along the lines of...what? Shouldn't our first and foremost concern, as followers of Jesus, be to share the gift of salvation with the individual? I felt like the book was leading up to this great opportunity to witness to people, but it all fell through the cracks when instead of taking the opportunity, it encourages us to push off this idea onto more people. It's fine to share the concept of the God Pocket and get more people involved, but I felt like the focus was off from our first and foremost Commission of witnessing.
One last thing I wanted to point out. It seemed that pretty much all the illustration stories used in The God Pocket had almost immediate, visible results, with recipients that were then totally willing to pour themselves out and share how the gift had affected them. I don't think that necessarily always happens. And what if it doesn't to someone starting out on this challenge? What if this new God Pocket deliverer didn't get the opportunity or change to see immediate -- or even any -- results at all? What if they never see the people they share with again, never get to hear how it affected their lives? This could be extremely disappointing as well as discouraging when from the start, the challenge has been painted to have relatively immediate results.
Though a thought provoking book, The God Pocket did seem to have a few cracks in it. I'm glad to hear of the success it has had, but I can't help but wonder if it is painting a picture that may not be true for everyone. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
June 26, 2023
Bruce Wilkinson is best known for the Prayer of Jabez book several years ago, however, my favorite book from this author is The Dream Giver. That was one of the first books I had ever felt an immediate connection to while reading and it sparked an interest in both reading and writing for me.
This book is also a quality read and in these pages, Bruce Wilkinson teaches us about the value of giving. Specifically, he reminds us that everything we "own" has been entrusted to us by God, and that we have a responsibility to be faithful stewards of those possessions. He encourages us to pray and ask for daily guidance in how to redirect those resources to those in need. This is not the prosperity gospel. This is obedient servanthood and allowing God to use us to meet the needs of others. The result is a stronger faith for the giver and an opportunity to see God at work in the life of the receiver, moving on hearts so that others can come to know Him.
This book is also a quality read and in these pages, Bruce Wilkinson teaches us about the value of giving. Specifically, he reminds us that everything we "own" has been entrusted to us by God, and that we have a responsibility to be faithful stewards of those possessions. He encourages us to pray and ask for daily guidance in how to redirect those resources to those in need. This is not the prosperity gospel. This is obedient servanthood and allowing God to use us to meet the needs of others. The result is a stronger faith for the giver and an opportunity to see God at work in the life of the receiver, moving on hearts so that others can come to know Him.
October 9, 2011
I was anxious to read The God Pocket, by Bruce Wilkinson, after I watched his YouTube video talking about the book. Plus, it was short book. I know.. not the best way to pick a book.. but with my schedule at work lately--I thought at least I would be able to finish it without too much delay.
Little did I know that this book would take me longer to get through than a 300 page novel. Not because it was bad, but instead, because it was so good. I savored every page--relished every story--teared up with joy and wonder--I couldn't read through it quickly--it would just ruin it to do so.
Bruce Wilkinson provides such an amazing story of giving--but not a general type of giving (to charities, church, etc)--this is a special kind of giving: "one with a distinct protocol in advance so that God can guide us to deliver His provision to a person with a need we couldn't know about otherwise." In our giving to our churches, to charities, to causes--we often give with a click of the button... there is no personal interaction at all. Not that this type of giving is bad... but "people are important." God has commanded us to give to people... and the God Pocket shows us how--in an amazingly simple and wonderful way.
Bruce Wilkinson reminds us that "God is urgently looking for people who want to do Heaven's work." And there are not enough of us out there--including me. We rush through our lives--caring only about getting from point A to point B, and easily dismiss those who may be in need, may be hurting, may be distraught. It takes too much time--it takes too much energy, and we are too busy. But this is not our mission. This is not what God has called us to do.
We are to help others. We are to give to others. And in the God Pocket, Bruce Wilkinson describes (with the 7 Ds of the God Pocket) how we can do this and let God work through us to accomplish His own style of giving.
I will not give away the 7 Ds of the God Pocket--you have to read the book for that. What I will say is that the stories that he shared of people who gave so willingly and with inspiration--blew me away. I want to experience that too.
Read this book. It will change your life.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
http://wendyalton.blogspot.com/2011/1...
Little did I know that this book would take me longer to get through than a 300 page novel. Not because it was bad, but instead, because it was so good. I savored every page--relished every story--teared up with joy and wonder--I couldn't read through it quickly--it would just ruin it to do so.
Bruce Wilkinson provides such an amazing story of giving--but not a general type of giving (to charities, church, etc)--this is a special kind of giving: "one with a distinct protocol in advance so that God can guide us to deliver His provision to a person with a need we couldn't know about otherwise." In our giving to our churches, to charities, to causes--we often give with a click of the button... there is no personal interaction at all. Not that this type of giving is bad... but "people are important." God has commanded us to give to people... and the God Pocket shows us how--in an amazingly simple and wonderful way.
Bruce Wilkinson reminds us that "God is urgently looking for people who want to do Heaven's work." And there are not enough of us out there--including me. We rush through our lives--caring only about getting from point A to point B, and easily dismiss those who may be in need, may be hurting, may be distraught. It takes too much time--it takes too much energy, and we are too busy. But this is not our mission. This is not what God has called us to do.
We are to help others. We are to give to others. And in the God Pocket, Bruce Wilkinson describes (with the 7 Ds of the God Pocket) how we can do this and let God work through us to accomplish His own style of giving.
I will not give away the 7 Ds of the God Pocket--you have to read the book for that. What I will say is that the stories that he shared of people who gave so willingly and with inspiration--blew me away. I want to experience that too.
Read this book. It will change your life.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
http://wendyalton.blogspot.com/2011/1...
April 24, 2014
Are random acts of kindness really random? Bruce Wilkinson explores this concept in his book, The God Pocket - He owns it. You carry it. Suddenly, everything changes. Mr. Wilkinson along with co-writer, David Kopp discusses the notion of being "your brother's keeper" from a monetary standpoint. It is not the person at the red light holding a sign that says "homeless" or "will work for food" that is seen quite often, but rather "you are lead to the person He wants to bless" someone in a financial bind that "He wants you to deliver His funds to."
So what is a God Pocket? It is a monetary tool where God "directs" you to use to meet the "urgent" needs of others. It is money that you set aside in a wallet, coin purse, envelope, etc., with the specific intent of helping a complete stranger out of a financial bind. The God Pocket is a book about "focused giving." Focused giving where God has chosen you to be His intermediary. It is a personal way that is "just something to remind you that God knows [that person's] situation and wants you and the receiver to be encouraged.
This concept asks you to trust in the Lord and believe "that all obstacles [about giving to strangers] have been removed beforehand. The decisions, preparation, and commitment that are required in order for us to act successfully have already been taken care of." The money is not to be co-mingled with your money. You have designated these funds for this cause. This money no longer belongs to you."
THOUGHTS for your SOUL:
•"We believe we were put here by divine choice, and we have to make a difference."
•"Walking by faith doesn't require that we always walk blind."
•"When we only give indirectly and on a schedule we're not prepared to partner personally with God to meet urgent needs in the moment. We lose eye contact with the person standing right next to us."
The key is to believe that the seeds you sow today with these seemingly random acts of kindness. These seeds will be multiplied in ways that benefit not only you, but the ripple effects have the potential to impact your loved ones with unexpected good fortune...It all starts with you and a leap of faith!
So what is a God Pocket? It is a monetary tool where God "directs" you to use to meet the "urgent" needs of others. It is money that you set aside in a wallet, coin purse, envelope, etc., with the specific intent of helping a complete stranger out of a financial bind. The God Pocket is a book about "focused giving." Focused giving where God has chosen you to be His intermediary. It is a personal way that is "just something to remind you that God knows [that person's] situation and wants you and the receiver to be encouraged.
This concept asks you to trust in the Lord and believe "that all obstacles [about giving to strangers] have been removed beforehand. The decisions, preparation, and commitment that are required in order for us to act successfully have already been taken care of." The money is not to be co-mingled with your money. You have designated these funds for this cause. This money no longer belongs to you."
THOUGHTS for your SOUL:
•"We believe we were put here by divine choice, and we have to make a difference."
•"Walking by faith doesn't require that we always walk blind."
•"When we only give indirectly and on a schedule we're not prepared to partner personally with God to meet urgent needs in the moment. We lose eye contact with the person standing right next to us."
The key is to believe that the seeds you sow today with these seemingly random acts of kindness. These seeds will be multiplied in ways that benefit not only you, but the ripple effects have the potential to impact your loved ones with unexpected good fortune...It all starts with you and a leap of faith!
February 10, 2012
Homo Homini Lupus
http://manisawolftomen.blogspot.com/
Back in July I wrote a review for Bruce Wilkinson's You Were Born For This. Today I have the pleasure of reviewing his newest book in the same vein: The God Pocket. Looking back at the first book I remember two complaints that struck me. First, the way Wilkinson pounds the vocabulary he chose into the reader was off putting, and second, how repetitive the work as a whole felt. Neither is the case with The God Pocket. What errors there were in the first he has repaired in the second.
The writing is much the same as before, some anecdotes are even shared between the two, yet without the constant tautological drilling the words come forward more lucid than before. As in the first the anecdotes are strong here but there is something extra in the simplicity and straightforward matter and formatting that give these little stories even more strength.
I could criticize the similarities between the two, couldn't this book be an extended section in the first? But no, it stands on its own.
So now if you've read this far you must be wondering what in the world the book is about. It is a guide book, and a petition, to partner with God in delivering His miracles by means of specially dedicated funds (ie the God Pocket). Wilkinson explains just exactly what all this means, how one goes about it, how one continues to do it, and the many blessings that so doing rewards. Closing he tells a number of stories of people, small groups, and churches who take the challenge and equip themselves for God's work.
I for one am excited to begin my first dedication of a God Pocket and getting to work. Read it, and you can too.
Propter Sanguinem Agni,
RS
This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as a complimentary copy for review purposes. They didn't even ask me to say all these nice things. They just produce good books.
http://manisawolftomen.blogspot.com/
Back in July I wrote a review for Bruce Wilkinson's You Were Born For This. Today I have the pleasure of reviewing his newest book in the same vein: The God Pocket. Looking back at the first book I remember two complaints that struck me. First, the way Wilkinson pounds the vocabulary he chose into the reader was off putting, and second, how repetitive the work as a whole felt. Neither is the case with The God Pocket. What errors there were in the first he has repaired in the second.
The writing is much the same as before, some anecdotes are even shared between the two, yet without the constant tautological drilling the words come forward more lucid than before. As in the first the anecdotes are strong here but there is something extra in the simplicity and straightforward matter and formatting that give these little stories even more strength.
I could criticize the similarities between the two, couldn't this book be an extended section in the first? But no, it stands on its own.
So now if you've read this far you must be wondering what in the world the book is about. It is a guide book, and a petition, to partner with God in delivering His miracles by means of specially dedicated funds (ie the God Pocket). Wilkinson explains just exactly what all this means, how one goes about it, how one continues to do it, and the many blessings that so doing rewards. Closing he tells a number of stories of people, small groups, and churches who take the challenge and equip themselves for God's work.
I for one am excited to begin my first dedication of a God Pocket and getting to work. Read it, and you can too.
Propter Sanguinem Agni,
RS
This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as a complimentary copy for review purposes. They didn't even ask me to say all these nice things. They just produce good books.
May 24, 2013
The good in this book are the numerous stories of generosity, some of them are quite moving. Generosity is powerful. However, everything around the book was gimmicky and I was made to feel like I needed to buy the God Pocket leather pouch from the author in order to practice generosity. I also found it slightly ironic that the author states the act of generosity is supposed to make you feel uncomfortable, but if you buy his pocket, it will make it less so. Doesn't his pocket then defeat the purpose of the generous gift making you feel uncomfortable. Most importantly, the gospel was not the driving reason to be generous, which is a glaring omission in this book.
Unrelated, but funny to me. I kept repeating "God Pocket" in the voice of Jim Gaffigan's vintage joke. It helped me get through this one.
Unrelated, but funny to me. I kept repeating "God Pocket" in the voice of Jim Gaffigan's vintage joke. It helped me get through this one.
February 9, 2017
Well, this book presents an interesting idea. In fact, it's an idea I may try for myself. But if I do, I'm not going to tell anyone about it.
I understand that the author wants us to encourage others to try this idea. And what he's suggesting is surely a blessing. But Jesus said that some things should be done without fanfare. That's the only thing in this book that made me blink -- his insistence on sharing what you've done. I'm having a little trouble reconciling these two things. But I'm sure God will lead me to His solution.
As for the idea, let's start a movement!
I understand that the author wants us to encourage others to try this idea. And what he's suggesting is surely a blessing. But Jesus said that some things should be done without fanfare. That's the only thing in this book that made me blink -- his insistence on sharing what you've done. I'm having a little trouble reconciling these two things. But I'm sure God will lead me to His solution.
As for the idea, let's start a movement!
January 14, 2012
Wonderful concept! Became somewhat disillusioned by the book itself when I got about halfway through and there were a few sentences about how the author would tell you how you could purchase your own special "God Pocket" at the end of the book. Went to the website just to see and once I saw all of the "materials" that you could purchase in order to "help" you with this process, decided that the rest of the book was no longer worth reading.
January 10, 2012
I thoroughly support the concept of this book (deliberately asking the Lord to direct your giving and allowing for spontaneous financial generosity towards others). The book explains this idea well but also comes across as a product placement ad/infomercial for their "God Pockets" which you can buy on their website. So the cynic in me is trying to look past that to remember the other lessons that I learned while reading it.
March 17, 2014
This is an inspirational book about how to give to God, help others, and be blessed yourself in the process. If everyone would dedicate themselves to having a "God Pocket," our world would be a much better place! You can read about the idea at www.thegodpocket.com and maybe you will be inspired, too.
September 1, 2014
Loved this book. A quick read, but powerful. I love how Bruce Wilkinson brings high spiritual concepts down to human, practical level. So doable, so inspiring. This is an introduction to yet another way to live a life of daily miracles.
December 7, 2016
Life changing
I have already began to pray and follow God's direction to give and recommend this book to everyone who does just want to see A miracle but wants to be a part of God's miracles here on earth!
I have already began to pray and follow God's direction to give and recommend this book to everyone who does just want to see A miracle but wants to be a part of God's miracles here on earth!
January 7, 2023
A very interesting methodology to align your empathy with God's will. If you follow this process, then your random charitable giving becomes an instrument of God's purpose, and you may become a direct answer to someone else's prayer.
July 25, 2012
An easy read, worth the delve into , especiaaly around Planned Giving renewal time or looking at your budget
October 19, 2012
I THINK GOD NEEDS SOME MORE DELIVERY PEOPLE TO FILL IN FOR THE JOB. A MUST READ! YOU ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING...
December 19, 2016
Excellent read on responding to God's nudges in seeking to be generous to people.
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