God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to

"God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with." — With these powerful words, Billy Graham invites us to reflect on the balance between receiving and giving in our lives. The message is clear: we are called to live lives of generosity and gratitude, understanding that God’s provision is not meant to be hoarded, but shared with others. One hand is for accepting the blessings and gifts that God graciously offers, while the other is for sharing those gifts with the world. It is through giving that we reflect the love and abundance of the Divine, and in receiving, we acknowledge that all we have is a gift from God.

The ancient Greeks understood the importance of both giving and receiving in the context of virtue and harmony. Aristotle, in his work Nicomachean Ethics, speaks of the golden mean, the balance between excess and deficiency. In his view, the life of virtue was one that found the right balance between receiving and giving, between self-care and selflessness. Generosity was a cornerstone of the virtuous life, and to live well was to give without expecting in return, while also being humble enough to accept help when needed. In this way, Graham's quote echoes the ancient wisdom: the two hands — one to receive and one to give — represent the balance we must strike to live a life of true virtue.

In Christian tradition, the idea of receiving and giving is deeply embedded in the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers to be generous with their resources, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). Jesus repeatedly spoke of the blessings of giving, telling His followers that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). God gives to us so that we might, in turn, give to others. The miracle of the loaves and fishes is a powerful example of this principle: by giving what little he had, Jesus was able to provide abundance for thousands. His life was a constant cycle of receiving from the Father and giving to the people, teaching us that God’s love is made visible through acts of generosity and selflessness.

The life of Mother Teresa serves as a living testimony to this teaching. She gave her life in service to the poor and sick, living with deep gratitude for what she received from God and passing those gifts on to those who needed them most. Every day, she would wake up, not thinking of what she could receive from the world, but what she could give. Mother Teresa’s hands were a reflection of God’s love — one hand open to receive His grace and the other extended in service to others. Her work with the Missionaries of Charity was an embodiment of this truth: that God’s blessings are meant to flow from us, reaching out to heal, comfort, and uplift those in need. Her life stands as a reminder that God’s provision is meant not just to satisfy our own needs but to be shared in acts of love and compassion.

The act of receiving also carries deep spiritual meaning. To receive is to acknowledge that all we have comes from God. This is especially evident in the parable of the talents, where the master gives different amounts of wealth to his servants. The servant who receives well and uses his talents wisely is commended, while the one who buries his talents is rebuked. To receive, then, is not just to accept gifts passively, but to steward them in ways that will benefit others and bring glory to God. Receiving is an act of humility — recognizing that we are not self-sufficient but depend on God's grace for every blessing. It is through this humility that we can truly open our hands to give.

In our own lives, Graham's words challenge us to reflect on how we balance receiving and giving. When we receive, we should do so with gratitude, knowing that we are blessed not because of our own merit but because of God’s goodness. When we give, it should be with the same humility and love that Christ showed, recognizing that the gifts we share are ultimately God’s gifts. Whether we give our time, our resources, or simply our love, we are called to mirror the generosity of God in everything we do. Giving is an extension of our faith, a way to serve others and participate in the ongoing work of the Divine in the world.

The lesson from Billy Graham’s quote is one of balance, humility, and service. To live as God intended is to open our hands — one hand to receive the blessings He gives us, and the other to give freely to others. This cycle of receiving and giving is the very nature of God’s love — a love that we are called to reflect in every aspect of our lives. By living in this way, we participate in the flow of divine grace, ensuring that the blessings we receive are never hoarded, but shared, for the good of others and the glory of God. Let us then strive to live with open hands — receiving with gratitude, giving with joy, and trusting that in this balance, we fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.