In A.D. 165, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Roman authorities dragged a Christian woman named Felicitas into a stone prison beneath the streets of Rome. The cell was so dark that the prisoners kept there couldn’t see their own hands. Food was scarce, disease wasn’t, and dampness never dried. Yet accounts record something strange— Felicitas spent her final days singing songs of thanksgiving. The guards outside stood there surprised as they listened through the iron bars. Thankfulness—in a place built to erase hope. That kind of gratitude seems nearly impossible today, but it sounds a lot like a verse from the Psalms that rarely makes its way to the microphone.
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” — Psalm 116:17
Most might breeze past the line, but the phrase “sacrifice of thanksgiving” reveals something profound. The psalmist isn’t talking about gratitude when life is full, comfortable, and convenient. He’s talking about gratitude that costs something—gratitude that must be fought for. It’s the kind Felicitas offered in that Roman cell.
A “sacrifice of thanksgiving” is what happens when gratitude is chosen, not felt. It can be seen in something small like that “thank you” we give Him without seeing the outcome. When we praise God before we understand the plan. When we hold onto God not because everything is good, but because everything is hard.
In a sentence, it’s the kind of thankfulness that’s forged— not found.
The hymn “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed” captures the heart of the Christian response to Jesus’ sacrifice: “But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’tis all that I can do.” This “debt of love” isn’t like the $18 trillion in financial debt Americans carry…
Carl Pollard
The hymn “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed” captures the heart of the Christian response to Jesus’ sacrifice: “But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’tis all that I can do.” This “debt of love” isn’t like the $18 trillion in financial debt Americans carry, like mortgages, credit cards, or student loans. Unlike monetary debt, the debt of love is a lifelong obligation, as Paul writes in Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.”
In Luke 7:36-50, we see this debt of love unfold in an account of grace and judgment, humility and pride. Jesus dines at the home of Simon, a Pharisee who prides himself on strict adherence to the law. In first-century Jewish culture, dining was an honor, yet Simon’s hospitality is cold. He offers Jesus no water for His feet, no kiss of greeting, no oil for His head. These were customary acts of respect (vv. 44-46). His indifference reveals a heart of pride.
Then enters an uninvited woman, a “sinner” (hamartōlos in Greek), likely notorious in her community, possibly a prostitute. Her presence in a Pharisee’s home is unheard of, yet she brings an alabaster jar of perfume, worth a year’s wages, and pours out her worship. Weeping loudly, she wets Jesus’ feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with perfume (v. 38). While Simon is judging silently the whole time! He questions Jesus’ discernment: “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him” (v. 39). Simon’s pride blinds him, while the woman’s humility drives her to worship.
Jesus responds with a parable: two debtors owe a moneylender, one 500 denarii (two years’ wages), the other 50 (two months’ income). Neither can pay, but both are forgiven. “Which will love him more?” Jesus asks (vv. 41-42). Simon answers, “The one who had the bigger debt forgiven” (v. 43). The woman, aware of her great debt, offers extravagant love; Simon, assuming his debt is small, offers none.
Jesus contrasts their actions: “You gave me no water… but she wet my feet with her tears… You gave me no kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet” (vv. 44-45). He says, “Her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown” (v. 47). Her love doesn’t earn forgiveness; it’s evidence of grace received through faith (v. 50). Simon, believing he needs little forgiveness, loves little.
So where do we stand? Like Simon, do we judge others while ignoring our own sin? Romans 3:23 reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Colossians 2:14 declares Jesus “canceled the record of debt… nailing it to the cross.” If our love for Him has grown cold, perhaps we’ve forgotten the weight of that debt.
Picture this woman, broken at Jesus’ feet, offering her tears and treasure. Now picture yourself. Are you offering pride or worship? Let’s remember the cross, where Jesus paid our unpayable debt. We would do well to pour out our lives like her perfume, through worship, obedience, and love for others.
“Count your blessings.” It’s a phrase we’ve all heard and probably even tried to practice in various ways. It’s a simple yet profound reminder to recognize the goodness in our lives and acknowledge what God has done for us. But what if we approached it from a completely different perspective—one that might just transform the way we see our daily blessings?
Several years ago, I had an idea that has stuck with me ever since. In fact, I find myself thinking about it nearly every day. Today, I want to share this concept with you in the hope that it will help you become more aware of the countless blessings surrounding you.
What If Everything Unthanked Disappeared?
Imagine waking up tomorrow morning to a shocking realization: everything you haven’t specifically thanked God for is gone.
I’m talking about physical things, relationships, and even aspects of society that we take for granted. Spiritually speaking, we would probably be okay—most of us have thanked God for Jesus, salvation, His Word, the church, and the hope of heaven. We’ve likely expressed gratitude for our immediate family, our career, and our home.
But have we thanked God for the smaller things—the specifics that shape our daily lives?
The Details We Often Overlook
If you woke up tomorrow and found that everything you hadn’t thanked God for had vanished, how much would be left?
Did you thank Him for running water, indoor plumbing, toothpaste, or a toothbrush?
What about a hairdryer or hairbrush (maybe more important to some than others!)?
As you leave your home, did you thank Him for the transportation that gets you to school or work?
The roads, street signs, and traffic signals that guide your way?
The weather, whether sunny or rainy?
The laws and law enforcement that keep traffic safe?
The camaraderie of friends or coworkers when you arrive?
Consider the building you enter. Have you thanked God for:
The architects who designed it?
The physics that allow such structures to stand?
The tools, bricks, concrete, and glass that make up the place you work or learn?
The doorknobs you turn without a second thought?
Once you start considering these things, and realizing they could be gone tomorrow, you might feel compelled to pray and thank God. And in just one day, you could list hundreds—maybe thousands—of blessings. Yet, that list would barely scratch the surface.
Recognizing God’s Hand in Everything
Think about birthday parties, family vacations, movie theater popcorn, or a warm jacket on a cold day. You could spend all day thanking God, and tomorrow, most of what you experience would still disappear because His blessings are everywhere.
God has given us intelligence and compassion to build a society where we interact, create, and innovate. He has blessed us with knowledge, learning, and science to design and construct an astonishing number of things using the resources He provides. The truth is, God has blessed you—and me—beyond what we can fully comprehend.
The Gift of Another Day
Now, imagine waking up tomorrow and realizing everything (and everyone) is still here. Maybe you just had the date wrong. But how much more can you thank God for with another day? And another?
Every day, I find myself uttering short prayers of gratitude for a whole new list of things—situations, people, aspects of society, and physical items I hadn’t considered before. This practice has gone on for years, and I have yet to run out of new blessings to acknowledge. I suspect I could thank God for something different every day and run out of days before running out of blessings.
A Challenge for You
I hope you take a moment to think about this concept. Try it for yourself. See if it helps you better appreciate the rich blessings our Father in heaven has given us.
And now, consider this: nothing we’ve listed—or could ever list—compares to the blessings of heaven.
God has already been abundantly generous to us in this life, but when you read about heaven, you realize that it is better than what we have now in every possible way. And therein lies the real lesson: when you better appreciate what God has already done for us, you can better yearn for and be motivated to seek what He will do when He returns.
A Call to Action
I want everyone to experience those blessings.
More importantly, God wants everyone to experience those blessings. If you have never been baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins, what is the delay? Life, opportunity, and even the blessings we take for granted can disappear tomorrow.
Let’s not wait to recognize the incredible gifts He has given us. Let’s start counting our blessings today.
If you lack gratitude, you will never be satisfied, and you will always blame others for your misfortune. You’ll end up only seeing the negative in everything. A pessimist can hardly wait for the future so he can look back with regret. Did you know that cats can’t taste the flavor of sweetness? It’s like their tongues are color blind to sugar. No wonder cats are so grumpy all the time! They can taste sour, bitter, and saltiness, but not sweetness.
Truth is, we are a lot like cats in our own lives. Blessings come but we don’t see the sweet; all we can taste is the bitter salty things that happen to us. We need to open our eyes to the truth that gratitude isn’t merely a polite response to God’s blessings; it’s a catalyst that transforms our very existence. In a world often filled with grumbling and dissatisfaction, we are called to embrace gratitude as a way to point people to Christ.
Here three important reasons to show gratitude in all things.
Gratitude Replaces Grumbling
In Philippians 2:14-15, we are reminded, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault.” Grumbling is a thief that robs us of joy and peace, turning our hearts bitter. But gratitude, is the antidote. When we consciously choose to focus on our blessings, we begin to see God’s hand at work in our lives. Think about the Israelites in the wilderness. Despite the miracles they witnessed, they often grumbled against God. Yet, when they showed gratitude, they remembered His faithfulness, and it changed their perspective. As children of God, we need to make gratitude a part of who we are. At our very core we are saved by the blood of Christ, given access to grace and peace, and have an eternity in our future. What’s not to be grateful for? The more you show gratitude, the less bitter you will be.
Gratitude Restores Gladness
Psalm 100:4 tells us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
There is a divine connection between gratitude and gladness. When we express our thankfulness, we open the door to joy.
Gratitude shifts our focus from our problems to the blessings surrounding us, renewing our strength. When we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we invite joy into our lives, transforming our burdens into blessings.
Turning our trials into wisdom. Our sorrow to gladness. With the story of the ten lepers, Luke emphasizes the rarity of a thankful spirit. Notice Jesus’ final words In Luke 17:15: “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. And Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give God praise?'” Only one had taken the time to thank the person who had made his recovery possible. Don’t be stingy in your gratitude. Not only does God expect it from the ones He has saved, it’s good for us mentally and physically.
Gratitude Renews Growth
A ship was wrecked, and the only survivor washed up on a small, uninhabited island.
He was exhausted. He cried out to God to save him. Every day he scanned the horizon, searching for help. Finally, he managed to build a rough hut and put his few possessions in that hut. One day, coming home from hunting for food, he was stung with grief to see his little hut in flames and a cloud of smoke. The worst had happened. But early the next day, a ship drew in and rescued him. He asked the crew, “How did you know I was here?” They replied, “We saw your smoke signal.” Be grateful because maybe the difficulty you are experiencing now is a smoke signal that will lead to a greater blessing. James tells us to count it all joy when we encounter trials.
Gratitude renews growth. We become stagnate and discouraged never grateful for the blessings we already have. Colossians 3:15 encourages us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it is an action that propels us forward in our spiritual lives. When we acknowledge and thank God for His provisions, we position ourselves for growth. Gratitude opens our eyes to new opportunities, strengthens our faith, and deepens our relationship with our Creator.
Just as the seeds in a garden grow when nourished, our spiritual health grows in an atmosphere of thankfulness. Be diligent in gratitude so that your faith can grow.
Very rarely do people seek out complainers to be their friend. It can be a challenge to spend any length of time around that person who is constantly grumbling and complaining about everything. At the same time, becoming a chronic complainer isn’t all that hard. Our society is filled with discontent people. Everyone has complaints. It seems that the more we are blessed the more we complain. Why are we so quick to complain? It’s human nature, but society still labels this as a negative trait.
I read a story about a cowboy that was driving down a dirt road, his dog riding in back of the pickup truck, his horse in the trailer behind. He failed to negotiate a curve and had a terrible accident. Sometime later, a highway patrol officer came on the scene.
The officer saw the horse first. Seeing how badly hurt it was, he drew his revolver and put the animal out of his misery. He walked around the accident and found the dog, also hurt critically. He hated to see it in so much pain, so he ended the dog’s suffering as well.
Finally he located the cowboy –who suffered multiple fractures–off in the weeds. “Hey, are you okay?” the cop asked.
The cowboy took one look at the smoking revolver in the trooper’s hand and quickly replied, “Never felt better!”
Sometimes it’s in our best interest to keep our complaints to ourselves. Mark twain once said, “Don’t complain and talk about all your problems–80 percent of people don’t care; the other 20 percent will think you deserve them.” Problem is, it can be difficult to refrain from complaining. We want sympathy, we desire compassion, often we don’t even realize when we complain.
I used to think I wasn’t a chronic complainer, which is true to an extent. I made a mental note of how many times I said something negative in a day…and well here’s an article that hopefully will help you as well as me.
Maybe you struggle with being negative; honestly I believe we all complain to a certain extent. In Philippians 2:14-16 Paul writes this letter as a call for unity in the church at Philippi. Right off the bat he starts talking about how blessed he is…to be in prison. He acknowledges his dire circumstances, but even after being wrongly imprisoned for 4 years, all he talks about is the gift he has been given to suffer for the cause of Christ.
If anyone had the right to complain, Paul had every right in our eyes. Why does Paul say all of this?
In chapter 2 he tells us to imitate the mind of Christ. Followed immediately by 14-16, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
According to Paul, it is impossible for us to focus on the will of God if all we do is grumble and complain. How can we keep our eye on the example of Christ if all we do is talk about everything that is wrong.
I know our country is a mess, the church as a whole is divided, and people are more self-centered than ever. But, and I say this kindly, “who cares?” God has given us His Son, the gift of eternal life, and a family. I know there is a lot to complain about, but ultimately God cannot use us if thats all we do. There are a couple of key words mentioned in the text that we need to define. “Grumbling” the Greek word literally means, “utterances made in a low tone of voice.” Context defines whether these are satisfied or dissatisfied grumbles. The way Paul uses it is in a negative light. Also known as “murmuring.” “Complaining” (disputing) is a word that is best translated as arguing or disputing.
So, Paul tells us to do all things without complaining and arguing. God expects us to be a joyful people. And we have no excuse! Let’s stop complaining.
Psalm 100 is a joyful prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God. Psalm 100 encourages everyone to worship the Lord and joyfully recognize His sovereignty and goodness. It highlights several important reasons for praising God and offers a framework for approaching Him in worship.
Reasons to Praise God:
God is the Creator and Sustainer (v. 3). The psalmist reminds us that God Himself is our Creator and made us. We do not create or sustain ourselves; we owe our existence to God, our Creator. As His creation, we have a compelling reason to praise Him and recognize His authority over our lives.
We are God’s people (v. 3). The psalm also confirms that we are God’s flock, sheep in His pasture. This imagery shows God as a loving and caring Shepherd who diligently cares for His flock. As His people, we have a special relationship with Him, and we can approach Him confidently, knowing He cares about us and meets our needs.
God’s character (verses 4–5) The psalm praises God’s goodness, lovingkindness, and faithfulness. These characteristics are everlasting and extend to future generations. God’s character deserves our praise and thanksgiving because He is always good, loving, and faithful to us.
How to Worship God:
Shout joyfully (verse 1). The psalm begins with the command to “shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.” Celebrating God’s greatness and goodness joyfully through worship is important, rather than keeping it somber or subdued. Our praise should be loud, exuberant, and full of joy.
Serve with gladness (v. 2). True worship includes praising and serving God. We are to “serve the Lord with gladness,” indicating that we dedicate our lives to Him. Service should not be burdensome but rather a joyful response to God’s love and grace.
Sing joyfully (verse 2). The psalmist urges us to “come before Him with joyful singing.” Singing is a powerful way to worship, allowing us to express our praise and love for God through our voices and hearts.
Enter with thanksgiving and praise while blessing His name (verse 4). The psalmist encourages us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise” as we approach God’s presence. Gratitude and praise should be at the forefront of our worship, acknowledging God’s goodness and thanking Him for His blessings. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit instructs us to “thank Him” and “bless His name.” Blessing God’s name entails honoring His greatness, holiness, and worthiness through our worship. This verse captures the attitude of gratitude, adoration, and reverence that should guide our approach to God in worship.
Psalm 100 is a beautiful reminder of why we should praise God and how to worship Him with joy, gladness, and thanksgiving. Reflecting on God’s character, creation, and love for us should inspire us to approach Him with hearts full of praise and gratitude, actively expressing our devotion to Him.
Luke 17:11-19, ”On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Two friends met each other on the street one day. One looked upset, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, “What’s wrong?” The other answered and said, “well, three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.” The friend responded and said, “That’s a lot of money.”
“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and he left me eighty-five thousand dollars.” The guy answered back, “Sounds to me that you’ve been very blessed.” “You don’t understand!” he interrupted. “Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million from her.” Now the man’s friend was really confused. “Then, why are you so upset!?” “Because…this week I got nothing!”
We can often come to the point where we expect to get certain blessings that God never promised us, and when they do not come, it is easy to get bitter. As Christians, our lives should be filled with gratitude. There’s so much that God has already done for us! But there are times where we expect God to do things, or give us something that isn’t promised to us. When the moment comes and we don’t get it, what is our response? If God’s answer is yes, be grateful. If God’s answer is no, be grateful.
Gratitude is a forgotten and dying attitude. Which sadly, has long been difficult for mankind to express. A well known example of this is found in Luke 17. This account is unique to the gospel of Luke. Up to this point Jesus has been giving parable after parable, but what happens in 11-19 takes place on their journey to Jerusalem?
A real life example that we should take to heart. Gratitude is a lost art.
But we can learn what God expects of us from these few verses:
Gratitude Is Not Conditional (11-14)
Gratitude Must Lead To Action (15-16)
Gratitude Is Uncommon (17-18)
Gratitude Is Life Changing (19)
Ten were healed, but only one came back. And he came back because he realized that he had something to do. Jesus changed his life, and he couldn’t just leave and not show his appreciation. He HAD to turn back, because Jesus was his salvation!
I’d like to suggest that as Christian’s we ALL have a reason to turn back.
Eph. 2:4, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.“
God has shown His love, so let’s show our gratitude. You can do that by praising Him each day, because every day He is with us and is forgiving of our faults. Show God that you are grateful for what He has done by giving your life to Him. There’s no greater joy than trying to give back to a God that has given so much to us.
David penned roughly half of the psalms. His name appears above 73 of the psalms and the New Testament attributes him as the author of two more (Psalm 2 and 95). He may also have been the author of several more of the 50 anonymous or unattributed psalms. But we also find poetic work from David outside the psalms. There is 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, given by David to the sons of Asaph as a song of thanksgiving and worship (some of which appears also in Psalm 105:1-15). Then, there is 2 Samuel 22:1-51, which reflects much of the content of Psalm 18:2-50.
The occasion of this psalm is explicitly stated. It is a song to the Lord, acknowledging His delivering David from Saul and his other enemies. David was a man of war, and he was challenged and disrespected by so many over time during his 40 year reign. We might call him embattled, continually weighed down by difficulties with others. While he had some extreme spiritual low points and multiple lapses in judgment, his overall character was of a man who trusted in God to deliver him and who tried to faithfully follow Him.
In 2 Samuel 22, David centers his thoughts on who God is. Notice what about God he focuses on.
GOD IS OUR RESCUER (1-20,44-49).
GOD IS OUR REWARDER (21-22,24-27).
GOD IS OUR RULER (23).
GOD IS OUR REDEEMER (28).
GOD IS OUR ROCK (32,47).
GOD IS OUR REFUGE (29-31,33-34).
GOD IS OUR REINFORCER (35-43).
GOD IS OUR REASON (50-51).
Read through this beautiful psalm and see the gratitude and praise David pours out toward God. He had been in many valleys and through some uncertain and frightening times, but he refused to blame God and was unwilling to believe he had been abandoned by God. Perhaps we have no better example of how to respond to personal adversity and unfair treatment than David. Instead of turning bitter and losing faith, David doubled down on what he knew about God! He put his trust in Him and counted on Him to carry him through. He was confident in God’s ability to prove Himself the victor against any and every foe. Whatever you are going through right now, please focus on who God is–your rescuer (2 Tim. 4:18), your rewarder (Heb. 11:6), your ruler (Rev. 1:5), your redeemer (Ti. 2:14), your rock (1 Cor. 10:4), your refuge (Heb. 6:18), your reinforcer (Eph. 6:10), and your reason (John 20:30-31)!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I can’t help but wonder how many people in the United States will take a moment to thank God. While some reject the day due to its association with Plymouth and the “original Thanksgiving” celebration, the fact remains that all of our presidents have thanked God in their Thanksgiving proclamations. Therefore, I am okay with doing away with the pilgrims as long as we can maintain the day’s significance set forth by historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln. On Thanksgiving Day, we reflect on our blessings, express our gratitude to God, and ask for His continued beneficent providence in our national life. Thus, unlike Easter and Christmas, which carry pagan baggage from the standpoint of their traditions, Thanksgiving is the most Christian of all federal holidays.
Luke records an instance during Christ’s ministry in which He encountered ingratitude on a par with modern America. Only one of the ten lepers He healed returned to thank Christ for what He had done (Luke 17.11–19). Jesus even asked, “Were there not ten cleansed?” (NASB Luke 17.17) People do their best to spin the nine’s actions in a positive light. Emotion overcame the nine, and they longed to return to their previous lives. Besides, they followed Christ’s command to go and show themselves to the priests. And what if the Samaritan only returned because he lacked a priest to whom he could present himself as a foreigner? In any case, Jesus told the Samaritan that his actions had made him “well” (Luke 17.19).
What prevents us from showing gratitude like the Samaritan? Here are seven possible reasons:
We are too busy and distracted. Modern life can be busy and distracting, making it difficult to appreciate the present moment and count blessings.
We can be too materialistic. It can be challenging to be grateful for what one has in consumerist societies because materialism has overtaken the value placed on intangibles like relationships and experiences.
We compare ourselves to others. Due to constant comparison with others and the influence of social media, one may experience feelings of inadequacy or jealousy, which can prevent one from feeling grateful for their life and circumstances.
We may have a negativity bias. People naturally tend to dwell on negative rather than positive things. Instead of focusing on what we have, we will concentrate on what we don’t. That inclination is a negativity bias.
We are on a hedonic treadmill. This phenomenon of becoming accustomed to pleasure is known as hedonic adaptation. In simpler terms, we get used to things emotionally. For example, when I acquire a new and shiny object, it brings me happiness. However, this happiness is short-lived, as I soon become accustomed to it.
Similarly, when something terrible happens, I feel sad but adapt to the change over time, and my happiness levels return to normal. As a side note, we note that God offers us joy, not happiness. Joy is renewed from within, avoiding the hedonic treadmill. Hence, it can even be an implied imperative (see Philippians 4.4).
We forget to be still. This results from failing to heed Psalm 46.10, which says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (KJV). A similar root cause is that people are too preoccupied with their lives to stop and offer thanks. Luke 11.24–26 shows that refraining from one bad behavior is not enough to prevent the substitution of another bad behavior. We need to fill the void by starting something useful. New Agers and Buddhists would call this “practicing mindfulness.”
But Christians do engage in their form of mindfulness as well. A Christian sets aside specific times for quiet reflection, away from the distractions of daily life, rather than sitting in the lotus position and breathing deeply. Christian mindfulness is about creating a space to focus inwardly and become more aware of God’s presence. Praying and reading the Bible are two of the best ways to accomplish this. Those who commit to being still and knowing God will be grateful.
We feel entitled. Individuals may feel entitled in societies where success and happiness are highly valued. This thinking can dull people’s gratitude and lead them to take their blessings for granted. Gifts become their norm rather than providential occurrences (see James 1.17).
As Thanksgiving draws near, we must truly understand what this holiday is all about. It’s not only a time for food and family gatherings but also genuine gratitude. In our busy lives, full of distractions and the pursuit of material comforts, we often forget to give thanks for the simple things. However, this day allows us to break free from these tendencies. It encourages us to step off the hedonic treadmill, put aside our negativity bias and the sense of entitlement that clouds our perception, and instead embrace a spirit of thankfulness. By being still, as suggested in Psalm 46:10, we can truly appreciate the blessings bestowed upon us, recognizing them as gifts from God rather than mere entitlements or passing pleasures. Thanksgiving, at its core, is a day to emulate the gratitude of the Samaritan leper, acknowledging our blessings and expressing our heartfelt thanks to the Divine. In doing so, we honor the tradition set forth by figures like Abraham Lincoln and cultivate a more profound sense of joy and contentment in our lives. So, let this Thanksgiving remind us to pause, reflect, and give thanks with a full heart.
In Philippians 4, right before he confronts Euodia and Syntyche, Paul says, “My dear brothers and sisters, I love you and want to see you. You bring me joy and make me proud of you. Continue following the Lord as I have told you.”
Then verse two, “I strongly urge Euodia and I strongly urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the lord.” The word translated “urge” here is something called a petition verb. These were usually used for strong emphasis. There are two in the same sentence in 4.2, suggesting that Paul had been leading up to this the whole time. His examples of selflessness, humility, concern about others, willingness to sacrifice for the good of others, and his examples of other Christians who did what they were supposed to do, all led up to this straightforward conclusion. These two Christian women were evidently in an argument so severe that their salvation was in serious danger (2.12).
But he doesn’t just admonish these women and leave them in awkward silence. He asks a friend to help these women work out their issues because (4.3), “They worked hard with me in telling people the good news, together with Clement and others who worked with me. Their names are written in the book of life.” He wasn’t bullying these two women because of their issues — even as he corrected them, he made it clear that this was done out of genuine love and concern for their spiritual well-being. Because of their evangelistic mindset and excellent work ethic, their names were in God’s book of life.
Paul repeats 3.1 in 4.4 — “rejoice in the Lord always. I’ll say it again — rejoice.” These are also imperatives. How do we fix problems in our congregations? We focus on what we have in common. We serve God and we’re waiting impatiently for Jesus to come back. It’s a lot easier to resolve our differences when we’re united in our goals. We all want the same thing. We’re all equal in God’s eyes.
Philippians 4 has several more imperatives (5-9) — Make sure everyone sees that we’re gentle and kind. Don’t worry about anything. Ask God for everything you need and be content with what you have. Think about what is good and wholesome. Follow God’s teaching.
At the end of Philippians 4 is another familiar verse — “I can do anything with God’s help”. This verse is on a poster at our gym near the weight lifting area (as “Phillippians” ha), and many have this verse on a shirt or tattooed. While it’s certainly innocent and kinda funny, that’s not what Paul’s saying here. To avoid ending the letter on an unpleasant note, he spends time thanking Philippi for all of the ways they’ve helped him. He slipped in that he can be content with or without money, and he can be content with or without enough food. How? Because when it comes to working for God, he’ll make sure we have the strength we need to keep going.
Philippians 4.7 says, “Because you belong to Jesus, God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds. His peace is more profound than we’re capable of understanding.” No matter what happens to us, if we’re working for God we’ll be ok!
I Thessalonians 5.12-13a — Church Leadership Helps Keep Us on Track
We have to recognize their value because elders are a critical part of setting the tone of a church family.
Because of their work, God expects us to consider them the MVPs of our congregations.
God will personally reward elders who do good work (I Pt 5.4; Hb 13.17; Acts 20.32).
God expects us to show elders the highest respect and love. We’re all human and we’re all going to mess up. Last anyone checked, elders are human too. God hands out grace generously, and demands we do the same for his elders.
5.13b-22 — God Expects Us to Do Some Things…
Live peacefully with each other.
Keep each other accountable.
Patiently work with weak Christians.
Stay on top of doing good things for people.
Stay happy.
Keep praying.
Be grateful.
Don’t put a wet blanket on God’s work.
Make sure everything we teach is legit.
Avoid evil proactively.
5.23-28 — If We Try Our Best, God Will Make Sure We’re Ready When Jesus Comes Back
We can trust him to make us ready when he comes back because his grace is extremely powerful. We know what we struggle with, but God is more powerful than our guilty hearts (I Jn 3.20). He’ll make sure we’re ready when he returns.
In the meantime, he expects us to stay on good terms with each other.
Summary:
Everything we do has the last day in mind. It’s why we don’t live the way we might want to.
It’s why we love people when they’re often not easy to love.
It’s why we go through pain with our heads held high.
We want to wake from death’s sleep to the incredible sight of Jesus’s angels bringing us to him (Mt 24.31; I Thess 4.17).
Your version may use the word “hallelujah” to begin Psalm 135. Hallelujah means “praise the Lord.” While it is synonymous with giving thanks, it means to laud a superior quality or act, to acclaim and express joy in doing so. What is so noteworthy is that the psalmist does this in very specific ways, recounting times in history when God demonstrates His power and glory on behalf of His people. As we walk through the psalm, we see this. Why is He to be praised?
HIS CHOOSING OF HIS PEOPLE (4)
HIS NATURE (5)–Great, Above All
HIS WORK IN CREATION (6-7)–Heaven, Earth, Seas, All Deep, Vapors, Lightning, Wind, Rain
HIS DEFEATING OF THEIR ENEMIES (8-11)–Egypt, Amorites, Canaanites
HIS BLESSINGS (12)–Gave His People A Heritage (Possession)
HIS POWER (13)–His Name And Remembrance
HIS PROMISES (14)–Compassionate Judgment
HIS SUPERIORITY OVER HIS RIVALS (15-18)–Deaf, Dumb, And Blind Idols, Just Like Humans
The writer calls on God’s people to praise and worship Him in song, expressing their adoration (1-3). He ends with a threefold call to “bless the Lord” (19-21). May I suggest that you work through something both in your daily life and in your preparation before every time you assemble to worship? Call it setting the table for fellowship with the Divine. Either meditate on the specific works and ways of God that are worthy of admiration, praise and honor or pray to Him, expressing these matters in specific terms. Focus on how He’s demonstrated greatness in blessing your life and the lives of those around you. Perhaps it’s answered prayer, providence, deliverance, or relief. Focus on His power and might in the affairs of our nation, in the activities of our congregation, and the occurrences within your family and personal life. Let the worship flow as you look around at all you see in nature, from the universe to right out your window. Think about the gift of Jesus for your sins. All of this will surely cause you to echo the writer in Psalm 135 and call out to others, “Praise the Lord!”
I wonder if Kathy felt like she was living with Briscoe Darling and the boys (imagine them if they were talkative) through the years they were growing up. She is refined and genteel, words that are not usually connected to our three sons and me. One thing she impressed upon us was the importance of timely, thoughtful thank you notes. Gratitude, though it can be expressed with very little time and expense, is telling. It acknowledges the kindness and generosity of the giver.
One of the elements of worship, generally, and prayer, specifically, is thanksgiving. Our songs call for it: “Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart,” they express it: “Thank You, Lord,” “For All That You’ve Done,” “How Great Thou Art,” “10,000 Reasons,” and “He Has Made Me Glad.” Though that songwriter, Leona Von Brethorst, apparently wrote the song from Psalm 100, she includes a line from Psalm 118:24: “This is the day that the Lord has made.”
Five times in Psalm 118, the psalmist says “give thanks” (1,19,21,28,29). He urges others to do so, but also expresses his resolve to do the same. Why?
GIVE THANKS FOR HIS GOODNESS (1-4)
“Good” is a general word that takes in pleasantness, desirability, and beauty. The good quality specified here is His everlasting mercy (lovingkindness). The writer moves from the broad to the specific–Israel, house of Aaron, those who fear the Lord. Everyone is the object of God’s lovingkindness. The righteous freely express their thanks for it.
GIVE THANKS FOR HIS DELIVERANCE (5-13)
There is a sudden, dramatic shift in tone in verse five. From an upbeat, positive tone, he turns to thoughts of trouble and difficulty. Distress, hatred, being surrounded, and violence threatened him, but God was there for him as protection and help. This kept him from fearfulness. It gave him refuge.
It is an amazing thing to think of all the ways and times God has been with me, but those are just the instances I’m aware of. How many trials has God spared me from, disasters has He caused me to avoid, and troubles has He averted for me that I won’t know about on this earth? Just what I do know humbles me, and it should fill my heart with gratitude.
GIVE THANKS FOR HIS GREATNESS (14-17)
The writer turns to the Giver. He is strong, a Savior, valiant, and exalted. Summarizing God’s qualities, the writer says, “I will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the Lord” (17). Awareness of who God is for me, physically, materially, and spiritually, will drive me to grateful thanks.
GIVE THANKS FOR HIS DISCIPLINE (18)
Though it is almost a parenthetical phrase in the middle of this song of thanksgiving, it is important and an additional reason for gratitude. He writes, “The Lord has disciplined me severely, But He has not given me over to death.” Who is brave enough to say that with the psalmist? He implies gratitude for God’s severe discipline. Hebrews 12:7-10 tells us that God disciplines those He loves and calls His children. It is for our good and allows us to share His holiness. Can I thank Him for the trials and challenges that refine me and grow my dependence on Him? Or do I just plaintively ask, “Why?”
GIVE THANKS FOR HIS PROVISION (19-29)
He uses the imagery of a city here–gates, stones, and chief corner stone. Then, he ends with a temple analogy, with the house of the Lord, festival sacrifice, and the horns of the altar. Saved inside God’s walls of protection, we are free to offer worship which He accepts. We marvel, we rejoice, we are glad, we prosper, and we extol. He has given us light. The primary thrust is not material, but spiritual. However prosperous or impoverished you are, financially, however strong or weak you are, emotionally, we have the greatest provision of all in Christ. Eternal salvation, the hope of heaven, fellowship with God and the saved, the church, strength to endure, the list is endless.
Today, as you go through the day, why not stop and spend time in prayer to God thanking Him categorically: physical blessings, relationship blessings, emotional blessings, national blessings, and spiritual blessings. No doubt, there are things in your life right now that are dissatisfying and disappointing. You may be struggling mightily. Perhaps those are ways God is disciplining you in His love. Whatever is happening in your life, choose to give thanks and know God is trustworthy! It’s more than polite. It’s righteous!
–I have taught a Bible study in the hut of a woman in a jungle village of southeast Asia. She had no furniture and only a couple of cooking vessels and utensils. Her one-room house was thatched in a place that averages an inch or more of rain each week. Her lifestyle reflected that of nearly all of her neighbors.
–I have stayed in the house of a faithful, fruitful gospel preacher in west Africa. One night, the temperature in the house was 91 degrees overnight. The interior walls were made of styrofoam, thin enough to hear the rats scurrying around and scratching behind them. They were actually better off than most in their village.
–I have stayed not far from the Bay of Bengal in a crowded city across from a leper colony. Taking a bath/shower consisted of using a large cup from a single spigot in a “bathroom” where the water ran a light brown color. Within a hundred miles of there, at least 100,000 people were living under cardboard boxes and old tarps.
–I met a man at a church service in east Africa who made his living working in a gem mine. He and his wife had four children of their own. Their neighbors both died of AIDS, leaving their three children orphaned. This Christian and his wife adopted them. He made $2 per day and Sunday was his only day off. He supported a household of nine on less than $15 per week.
In every one of the examples above, I was only there for a couple of weeks and returned home to hot water, running water, reliable shelter and automobiles, and a thousand other amenities.
Many of the people in our world, before the current pandemic, struggled to survive through subsistence farming, poor nutrition, virtually non-existent healthcare, and little access to education. This sets up a cycle of poverty and disease that lowers life expectancy to middle-age at best. Sports, vacations, retirement plans, and insurance are, for many, a pipe dream if even a concept they have ever entertained. I once drove past a slum in a capitol city that was part of 2.5 million homeless people living in what was essentially a trash dump.
The current crisis is real and impactful. It has required adjustments, changes, and sacrifices. Yet, from a medical, monetary, and material standpoint, we still find ourselves at the top of over 200 nations in just about every earthly way things can be measured. This is a time for us to pause and humbly thank God for His abundant blessings, to ask forgiveness for complaining in the face of such generosity, and to seek His guidance in how we can use this time to focus on others’ needs and helping those who are truly unfortunate. Matthew 25:31-46 is a convicting text, where the Lord tells us He watches how we respond to the hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger, sick, and imprisoned among “the least” of the world. Perhaps what we are going through now is a door of opportunity, to sharpen our perspective on what is essential and what is extra. Let it begin with me!
I’ve never known a day when I didn’t live in a “preacher’s home.” “Preacher’s homes” are very much like every other home–problems, inside jokes, traditions, hobbies and interests, sin, laughter–except the chosen profession of the father is to serve either full-time or part-time as a proclaimer of God’s Word. At times, the home I grew up in was made of figurative glass, meaning I was occasionally subjected to unfair favoritism and criticism.Kathy, also a lifetime resident of a “preacher’s home,” knows that feeling, too. Then, we subjected our sons to the exact same thing!
Whenever we are asked about what it is like to live this unique life (and lifestyle), different words would be appropriate:
Challenging–There can be elevated expectations and unrealistic assumptions about the preacher’s personal life, marriage, parenting, and the like. What Shakespeare’s Jewish character says of his people in the “Merchant of Venice” applies: “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?” Life’s pressures and temptations visit our homes, too.
Lonely–Occasionally, we feel alone and stand alone because of the message we preach. Usually, it’s not others who make us feel this way, but an innate part of the life.
Ordinary–Most preachers probably love to hear church members and those in the community say, “You’re just an ordinary person with an ordinary life.” To be genuine and real is, in my view, a worthy aim. See the opening paragraph.
But, please understand that the most fitting, usual words used to describe the life in preaching are positive, superlative words and phrases–“important,” “exciting,” “fulfilling,” “full,” “rewarding,” “humbling,” “meaningful,”and “uplifting.” Yesterday, we said “so long” to one of God’s greatest churches as we prepare to move to work with another one. I asked Kathy to describe a one-word assessment that best described how she felt in light of the generous words and acts from our spiritual family throughout the day. She used words like “Overwhelmed,” “grateful,” and “touched.” But then, scanning her brilliant mind as if to find that perfect summary word (as she usually does), she simply said, “Blessed.”
We’ve been blessed by a lifetime of living the “preacher life.” Blessed by 27 years of full-time preaching. Blessed by 13 years of preaching at Bear Valley. Blessed by the opportunity to preach in this “next chapter” of life at Lehman Avenue. Blessed, as cracked pots (2 Cor. 4:7), to be used by the Master Potter. Far from a perfect life, it is certainly a blessed life.
Thank you, Bear Valley, for your many acts of kindness–yesterday and for the entirety of our time with you in Colorado. We love you and will miss you!
Jesus asked a lone, appreciative soul, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine–where are they? Was no one found who turned back to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18). They were terrified (13), terminal (12), transformed (14), but they were not thankful. They were saved, but to what end? They were selfish and not spiritual. God made them whole, and what did they do? They blended into the world when they should have blessed The Word.
Ingratitude increasingly characterizes man’s interaction with man–the etiquette of thank you cards is rarer, the feelings of loyalty and appreciation for the American military and first responders is waning, and many have forgiven themselves of the debt owed to generations past whose sacrifice has led us to national plenty. This is not all-inclusive and at times there are spikes of improvement and pleasant, positive change toward greater thankfulness.
Yet, since the time when Christ’s sandals kicked up dust in Palestine, people have failed to show gratitude to Him. that the ingratitude comes from those whom He saved from the devil’s disease and death is remarkable! Yet, we all struggle with that sin.
New Testament writers point out how grave an error ingratitude is. Paul warned about the “ungrateful” (2 Tim. 3:2) who would ultimately make no spiritual progress. God rejects as foolish and futile those who “glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful” (Rom. 1:21). Someone may ask, “Why make such a big deal about something so seemingly minor?”
Is it minor? If we’re not thankful to God, one or more things have occurred. (1) We are convinced there is no eternity and it’s all about here and now. (2) We have forgotten how it felt to be forgiven. (3) We believe that everything is about us and nothing is about anyone else, let alone God. (4) We have come to believe that sin is just no big deal. (5) We think we owe everything we have and are to no one but ourselves. No doubt, more answers could be postulated, but here is the bottom line. A failure to thank God for His abundant blessings makes one in more dire condition than any leper ever was. We may not be losing our extremities, our hair may not be turning bleach white, we may not have painful sores, and we may not be social outcasts. But, here is what has happened. Our heart is cold, our soul is endangered, we’re in denial, and we’re blinded to the realest of realities.
Won’t you say with David, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations” (Ps. 100:4-5)? Stop and think how much you owe to God. Translate that gratitude into godly servitude. Give Him your best. Give Him yourself. Give Him your thanks.
Often, during this time of year, there is an emphasis placed upon the gifts brought by the magi to Jesus—“gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mat. 2:11). They understood how Jesus was worthy of worship (2:2,11) and celebration (2:10). Their giving flowed from that recognition.
The book of Hebrews turns the tables and reveals the Jesus who is the gift-giver. The same Greek word used to describe the wise men’s gifts to Jesus is used twice by the writer of the epistle to talk about Jesus’ gift. He does so in the context of Jesus’ work as a High Priest, as contrasted with the gifts offered by priests under the Law of Moses. In Hebrews 5:1, the writer talks about the qualifications necessary to serve in that role—taken from among men, working on behalf of men in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sin. Chapter five deals more with His qualification to serve and offer, but the writer does deal with the gift itself later on. Later on turns out to be chapter eight. The writer uses that same word for “gifts” in Hebrews 8:3-4 to talk about what Jesus offered. His gift is contrasted with those that cannot make the worshiper “perfect in conscience” (9:9). He gave His own blood (9:10) and with it obtained eternal redemption which will “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (9:14). The writer summarizes that gift, “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (10:10), as the gift that sanctifies us to God.
But what do we give in return? We cannot repay His priceless gift. But God presupposes that we will be motivated to give. Jesus does, referring to worship in Matthew 5:23-24. He does again, referring to the monetary gifts of the wealthy and the sacrificial (Luke 21:1-4). The Hebrews writer will use Abel as an example of faith-fueled giving (11:4). But our most generous gifts to Christ, however moved by sincere love and unwavering commitment, is but a shadow and reflection of His gift. We give Him money, honor, time, energy, heart, and everything else we can, because He is the greatest giver of all. May we take the time, every day, to honor and give freely, to the Gift-Giver!
“Three babies are crying across the auditorium… Somebody dropped a songbook… Everybody has a cough today… Oh, good… brother So ‘N So sure prayers nice prayers… My big toe sure is bother me… I think I forgot to write out the check for the giving again… Better do… Wow! Are we done already?”
That scenario probably happens in many a mind more frequently than we care to admit. The greatest memorial of all time can also provide one of the greatest mountains to climb– concentration and distraction. The Lord’s Supper is a congregational activity, but it is participated in by individuals. What does it take to maintain concentration on the significance of this feast?
Examination. See 1 Corinthians 11:28. We should examine our state of mind, taking care to dwell on Christ’s suffering sacrifice, His triumphant resurrection, our debt to Him, the depth of heaven’s love shown in this sacrifice, and the joyful hope we have through His act. We should examine our lives and see where we can live better and eliminate sin–checking our motives, morals, and mindset. Self-examination should mark this time.
Forgetting. We should forget the daily, mundane affairs of life. We are focusing on something of much greater and eternal significance. Other things should be shut out of the mind. This is the Lord’s time.
Fellowship. We take the Supper with every other saint present. This is a special moment of fellowship (Acts 2:42). In a sense, we are also taking it with all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. The communion provides a bond of fellowship that has special meaning and ties together all baptized believers in fellowship with Christ.
One. We commemorate the Lord in the one body according to the instructions of the one Spirit with the one hope that Christ’s atonement saves us and gives us access to the Father. We honor that one Lord and follow the one faith in obedience to the will of the one God. the Supper unites us with God as well as each other (Eph. 4:4-6).
Remembrance. The Lord’s Supper is a time to reflect on the cross with its manifold significance. Until He comes again, the Lord’s Supper is an appointed, weekly, and mental trip back to His death (1 Cor. 11:26). One remembers, with the help of the gospel writers, the body wounded on the tree and the saving blood flowing from the body of God in the flesh.
Thanksgiving. The Lord’s Supper is a time for deep appreciation and gratitude. Because He suffered, we can have peace. Because He died, we can have eternal life. Because He arose, we can rise from sin to newness of life.
Paul had to remind Corinth that the Lord’s Supper was not just another meal (1 Cor. 11:20-34). Modern Christians, too, need always to keep that fact in mind when we lose focus and concentration or forget why we’re partaking. What we need, despite the distractions, is EFFORT! May the Lord’s Supper never grow old for any of us!
Running water. Electricity. A stove. A microwave. Family. Sanity. Health. Domestic tranquility. Health care. Dexterity. Opposable thumbs. Involuntary muscle movement. Singing. Friends. Children. Parents. Nature. Mountains. Breezes. Fireplaces. Automobiles. Law enforcement. Aspirin. Hot water. Showers. Eyesight. Clotting. Emotions. Dogs. Sunsets. Siblings. The ocean. Companionship. Passion. Nerve endings. Shelter. Rocking chairs. Reading. Running. Refrigerators. Board games. Evangelism. The church. Firefighters. Pockets. Paved highways. Ozone. Cotton. Kindness. Shoes. Trees. Songbirds. Smiles. Waves. Shoes. The wisdom of the aged. Elders. Dentists. Coffee. Babies. Modesty. Make up. Music. Lights. Stars. Comfortable chairs. Eyeglasses. Leftovers. Devotionals. Airplanes. Sunrise. FedEx. Interstates. Telephones. Fresh, hot, and homemade bread. GPS. Front porch swings. Memories. Fertile fields. Prayer. Reading comprehension. Hearing. Smelling. Touching. Tasting. Harmony. Trust. Forgiveness. Wedding cake. Teachers. A spirit of cooperation. Sunglasses. Charity. Soap. Good neighbors. Fresh fruit. Beds. Fireflies. Encouragement. Imagination. The Lord’s church. Coffee. Thread. Belts. Livestock. Peace and quiet. Laughter. Pain. Flowers. Hikes. Language. Swallowing. Breathing. Teeth. The Bible. Maps. Love. Blankets. Wildlife. Humor. Curtains. Bedspreads. Snow. Sunshine. Rain. Clouds. Hope. Canned goods. Grandparents. Fellowship. Heaven. Providence. The cross.
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17)
Those who address us prior to our giving often make a statement like this, that we are giving back but a small portion of what God has blessed us with. In other words, if you could owned and could contribute all the world’s wealth, week after week, how would that compare to the sacrificial gift of Christ (cf. Mat. 16:26)? In fact, how could it compare with the many additional blessings besides atonement—a body equipped with the ability to perform involuntary actions (breathing, blood flow, cell regeneration, etc.), an environment conducive to life (air to breathe, photosynthesis, etc.), a planet in harmony with sun and moon making life possible, and the list is endless. It is not only impossible to out-give God, it is impossible to come anywhere close.
The Bible does not dictate a percentage for the New Testament Christian giver. The inferior covenant (cf. Heb. 8:7-8) required a tenth of all (Heb. 7:5), a pretty good benchmark for those of us having access to the better covenant established upon better promises. It is impossible to know what anyone might be thinking who hears the well-intended, if well-worn, statement, “We have the opportunity to give back a small portion of the many blessings we have received…” It does not mean, “A small proportion.” Nowhere does the Bible sanction stingy, leftover-style giving. In fact, it condemns such (read Malachi). Instead, Paul writes, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:6-7).
Giving involves a monetary, financial exercise, but it is a distinctly spiritual activity. It is an act of trust, a faith that the God who has provided will continue to provide and bless the one who bountifully shares what he has been given. When we, like the Macedonians, give beyond what we believe is beyond our ability (2 Cor. 8:1-5), we open up an exciting door in our walk with Christ.
If you are one who gives a small proportion of your income, may I challenge you to increase it? See what happens in your life. You are not giving to manipulate or coerce God, but you will experience a growth not possible on the “small proportion” side of generous giving. Trust Him! He has never broken a promise yet (read Mal. 3:10 and Luke 6:38).
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