Building off of Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 4:7 (“What do you have that you did not receive?”), Pierce Hibbs spends a glorious amount of time in this book pushing his readers to reflect upon the gifts of God. It is a book that is at once meant to motivate readers to thankfulness, but also to serving others from a deep well of gratitude that goes beyond mere sentimentalism. If you want to be more grateful, read this book. If you want to be a joyful giver, read this book.

This is a challenging book, because in it Rosaria doesn’t just argue that we ought to be more hospitable. She argues for “radical hospitality” that brings people into our lives in a way that we might be tempted to pull back from. I will be honest: we’ve struggled to accept all of the forms of hospitality that Rosaria outlines in this book, but I do think the high standards she pushes her readers toward is good for them and for the church.

Even if dementia has not touched you or your family yet, it will. And even if it doesn’t touch you directly, it will touch those you love. This book is written by a geriatric doctor who helps us to know how to honor God even in the tragedy of our loved one mentally declining and slipping away from us. This is incredibly practical.

Some forms of mercy ministry and attempts to help the poor actually hurt them and lessen their own dignity and sense of agency. In this important book, the authors show how Christians and churches can dignify those in need, while helping them to really improve their own situations.