Book on Stewardship an Unexpected Best Seller

A small book, dubbed a "publishing miracle," has been used to build up churches and denominations across the United States and around the world, helping congregations and ministries to increase their stewardship and revenue.

40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life, written by author and public speaker Brian Kluth, had nearly 100,000 copies in print in nine months. The 90-page guide on more generous living includes scriptural passages for 40 days and following each week provides a personal worksheet that helps each reader to focus on one's income, lifestyle, assets, and giving.

"Anytime you get 100,000 copies of any book you're making some impact," commented David Neff, publisher of Christianity Today, in a statement this month.

According to Kluth, seven Christian publishers had declined to publish the booklet because they said there was no market for a book on monetary generosity. "Last summer my wife and I used some inheritance money to 'by faith' produce and print 15,000 copies," he said, in a statement.

Now, one worldwide denomination will help them to publish the booklet in up to 202 countries and 363 languages, while other denominations are requesting to use translated copies around the world, according to the book's website

"The whole thing is a God-sized journey for us," said Kluth, who is senior pastor of First Evangelical Free Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. "We're doing our best to keep up with what and how the Lord is using this book across the country and around the world."

In January, Kluth was honored with the Outstanding Stewardship Educator of the year award by the Christian Stewardship Association, which he once led as president.

Kluth has also appeared on NBC's Dateline and Kiplinger.