BOOK REVIEW: Plastic Donuts by Jeff Anderson

Is there a more sensitive subject in church than the discussion about giving?  Discussions about it are laced with awkwardness and confusion; some positions more rooted in scripture than others.  When I was at my most confused when it came to giving, a little book called The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn came along at just the right time.  Now—as the discussion points of the giving debate have shifted–along comes another little book on giving called Plastic Donuts by Jeff Anderson.  This book is promised to be “a fresh perspective on what it means to bless God through our giving” (a quote by Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries).  In all the ways that matter, the book delivers on that promise.

Anderson is not a pastor.  He has the interesting distinction of having been a CPA, a stock market day trader, and the VP of a finance focused parachurch organization all at different points in his life journey.  However, the tone he adopts through most of the book is that of a delighted father.  The framing story of the book involves his daughter as a toddler bringing him a plastic donut from her play kitchen and delighting his heart with the gift.  She is also pleased by giving him this gift, and so Anderson draws connections between this touching interaction and our giving of our finances to God—which He doesn’t require, yet He receives with delight.

The book delves into a variety of questions that are often asked by veteran givers and new givers alike.  Questions like, “Does the amount matter?” and “Is tithing only an Old Testament practice?”  The best part of the book is the section on the amounts we give, with the convicting statement that many of us would rather give a set amount instead of seek God for what He would have us give.

The book is left intentionally brief—maybe too brief.  Anderson points out that only 2% of the Bible’s teaching is regarding the tithe.   Then he mentions, briefly, some other lesser known facts about tithing.  I found myself wishing he would answer some of the questions he raised before continuing, but Anderson keeps his comments to a minimum.  Tithing is hotly debated in churches, but Anderson declines to comment in the interest of brevity.  What a shame!

Overall Plastic Donuts is a great introduction for new givers, as well as a heart-check for those who are faithful givers.