“Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;”–2 Corinthians 9:11–13
Charles Spurgeon said, “Maturity in grace makes us willing to part with worldly goods; the green apple needs a sharp twist to separate it from the bough; but the ripe fruit parts readily from the wood. Maturity in grace makes it easier to part with life itself; the unripe pear is scarcely beaten down with much labor, while its mellow companion drops readily into the hand without the slightest shake. Rest assured that love to the things of this life, and cleaving to this present state, are sure indications of immaturity in the divine life.”
Paul Chappell wrote, “A lack of giving is an unmistakable sign of a lack of gratitude. Generous giving is not measured by the amount given, but by the heart and by the circumstances in which it was given. Since everything we have is a gift from God, we have no basis for selfishly clinging to our possessions. Jesus said to the disciples when He sent them out, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
The reality is that we have been richly blessed by God. There are many today who teach that God wants us to be rich and happy. However, the Bible teaches that God wants us to be generous and holy. We can never repay the debt we owe to Him, and we cannot purchase our standing with Him. But a grateful heart should willingly give out of appreciation for all it has received.”
There is no doubt about it, true thanksgiving will lead to thankful-giving– the giving of ourselves to meet the needs of others. Grace generates gratitude, and gratitude makes us generous. Mercy motivates us to minister to others. Like Abraham of old, we are blessed to be a blessing. I pray that Thanksgiving Day will remind each of us that we have a daily duty to do unto others what Christ has done unto us. Freely we have received, so freely should we give. That’s the evidence that we are truly thankful.
