The Giving Pledge

The Giving Pledge is a philanthropic campaign led by two billionaires, investor Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, in which other billionaires are asked to give away at least half their wealth during their lifetimes or after their death, and to publicly state their intentions with a letter.

Another 17 U.S. billionaires, including Facebook co-founders Mark Zuckerberg and Dustin Moskovitz, have made the pledge.  In addition to Zuckergerg and Moskovitz, pledges were also made by AOS co-founder Steve Case, financier Carl Icahn, and former Wall Street executive, Michael Milken.  They join 40 other U.S. billionaires in The Giving Pledge.

“The Giving Pledge has re-energized people thinking about philanthropy and doing things in philanthropy, and I look forward to many more conversations with families who are truly fortunate and whose generosity can and will change lives,” said Warren Buffett.

Buffett and Gates have been trying to generate similar philanthropic efforts in other countries.  They will continue to try to encourage other billionaires in the U.S. (numbering more than 400 according to Forbes magazine) to make the pledge.

Billions of dollars spent in charitable efforts will accomplish a lot of good, but all of the billionaires in the world can’t out-give God!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – James 1:17

“He has not left himself without witness: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." – Acts 14:17

God “gives to all life, breath, and all things.” – Acts 17:25

The GREATEST Gift that God has given is the Gift of His Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).  Jesus was the greatest Gift because He met our greatest need: salvation from sin.  Through our acceptance of this Gift on His terms, we may have forgiveness of our sins and the hope of living eternally with Him (Ephesians 1:7; Titus 1:2).

The terms of acceptance for the Gift are: faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Christ before men (Romans 10:9-10), baptism (immersion) into Christ (Acts 2:38), and the “pledge” and commitment of living faithfully to His will for the rest of one’s life (Revelation 2:10).

God has acted on His Pledge of love for you and for me in many ways, but especially through the Gift of His Son.  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Won’t YOU express your gratitude to the Giving God by accepting His gift through your trusting obedience?

David A. Sargent, Minister