Billy Graham Encourages Christians to Give Back to God through Tithing
- Veronica Olson Neffinger Content Editor
- Updated May 16, 2016
Well-known evangelist Billy Graham has said that it is important for Christians to give back to God and His work out of the abundance He has given to us, reports ChristianToday.com.
Writing in a column for the Kansas City Star, Graham states, "Every ministry needs financial support, and it's not wrong to make God's people aware of those needs and seek their help. The Apostle Paul, for example, went out of his way to urge churches to give money for Christians who were in great need. This giving, he wrote, 'is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God' (2 Corinthians 9:12)."
Everything we have is a gift from God, Graham writes. "We can't take credit for it, nor should we use it selfishly or thoughtlessly. Instead, we should seek to use it wisely and for God's glory. When we give to God's work, we are only returning to Him a portion of what He has already given us.”
Graham cautioned churches and pastors not to put too much focus on money and finances. He also cautioned Christians not to allow churches’ requests for financial help to deter them from generously giving to the Lord’s work.
Graham then reminds his readers that a Christian’s ultimate example when giving is Christ: "Instead, let Christ be your example in your giving. In heaven He possessed everything, and yet He sacrificed it all — even His life — so we could be saved.”
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: May 16, 2016
