Generosity and Gratitude
Generosity and gratitude go hand in hand. Where you find one, you will find the other. Generosity both produces gratitude and flows out of gratitude.
Take a look at Paul’s words to the Corinthians, with a special focus on the connection between generosity and gratitude for the gifts of God:
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 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.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
1 Corinthians 9:10-15 (NIV, emphasis added)
Take some time this week to meditate on this passage, or on Jesus’ words in Luke 12:22-34.
You may want to begin a Gratitude Journal by keeping a record of the “abundances” God has given you.
Next to each abundance write what it means to you to have a God who interacts and intervenes in your life.
How might you allow your gratitude to overflow into generosity?
