BE THANKFUL: THE OUTCOME

 OCTOBER 4, 2023

2 Corinthians 9:11

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Often our thankfulness centers around what we’ve received – material items, family, friends, jobs, and on and on. It’s an endless list. Have you ever thought about being thankful that we can be generous, and give to others? Our verse above suggests that our “generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” It is the way we show our gratitude to God, for all we have been blessed with. Yet, notice When we look to the Bible, we find that God doesn’t just bless us for our enjoyment or to only meet our needs, but also for the good of others. We read a moment ago that “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.” The outcome of generosity will result “in thanksgiving to God.”

God told Abraham that he would bless Abraham and “all peoples on the earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:2-3).” When Paul advised those in Ephesus to work, he reminded them that they weren’t working only to fulfill their own needs, but so that “they may have something to share with those in need (Ephesians 4:28).”

As he was taking up an offering from the church in Corinth, Paul reminded them, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

God’s blessings towards us are not intended to only result in our thankfulness, but it is to enable us to be generous. We can demonstrate God’s goodness to others, and this will result in their thankfulness towards God, too.

I know, generosity is commonly associated with money; however, there are other ways to be generous. Having an attitude of thankfulness for the ways God has “enriched” us, leads to a mindset that is willing to care for others and make sacrifices for others. That is generosity.

The Apostle Paul would later write to Timothy these words, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Yes, generosity does require work and practice. We may not automatically be generous people but with prayer, and putting into practice generous choices, and with help from God we can develop a thankful and generous heart.

Here are some ways that we can grow our generosity:

• Giving: Offering our money or resources to both the church and to others is a theme that we can see throughout many different passages in the Bible. For example, in Luke 21:1-4, a poor widow put two coins in the temple offering. In comparison to others, this was a very insignificant amount. However, because she was generous with the little, she did have, Jesus said she gave more than all the others. Even if we do not have much to give, we can still have a heart of generosity through giving.
• Encouraging with words: We can also be generous with our words. Words are powerful tools for encouraging others and building others up. It does not take a lot from us to give an uplifting word or compliment to someone who may need to hear it.
• Spending time: Our time is a precious resource, and we may hesitate to be generous with it. However, using our time is another way to show love and develop our generosity whether it be through volunteering with an organization or simply setting up a time to help a friend out or share a meal with someone.
• Sharing God’s Word: Sharing the gospel with others shows we care about more than their temporary or physical needs. We can generously share the news of Jesus Christ. This is the most valuable thing we can share with others.
• Celebrating blessings: Counting our blessings can also help when we work on becoming generous individuals. If we are unsatisfied with our own lives, we are not likely to be generous toward others. However, if we are thankful for what we have and celebrate the blessings that others have been given, our attitude shifts away from us.
• Helping someone in need: Helping others in need may involve any of things previously mentioned or it could be something else altogether. Maybe a friend needs a ride after their car breaks down. Perhaps someone broke an arm and needs some help preparing food. No matter the situation, we can be generous and prepared to help others when the need arises.
• Reflecting on God’s generosity: There is no better way to learn how to be generous than to take note of the ultimate example. God can help us develop our generosity far better than we can ever do on our own.