Billy Graham: Christian Giving ‘Shouldn’t Just Be an Obligation’

Billy Graham: Christian Giving ‘Shouldn’t Just Be an Obligation’

The Rev. Billy Graham said that Christian giving should be a response to the salvation one has received rather than a way to earn God’s favor.

ChristianToday.com reports that Graham’s words on giving appeared in a recent column of The Kansas City Star.

“Giving to God's work, the Bible says, shouldn't just be an obligation — much less a way to make God happy with us. Instead, giving should be a result of something far deeper: our love for God and his work," writes Graham.

No matter how much you give, Graham continues, you cannot earn God’s favor. God’s favor is earned by putting one’s trust in Jesus, whom God sent to offer salvation.

“Our salvation comes solely through Jesus Christ, who by His death and resurrection purchased our salvation for us, and now offers it to us as a free gift.”

In order to be in the right mindset for giving, Graham urges people to “Realise how much He loved you — and how much He continues to love you, no matter what you're going through. God's promise is for you: Nothing 'will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Romans 8:39).”

A desire to give back to God and His work will come out of an understanding of what God has given to us, writes Graham.

Publication date: July 25, 2016



Billy Graham: Christian Giving ‘Shouldn’t Just Be an Obligation’