Thanksliving!

We can often tell who the thankful people are not only by what they say, but even more so by HOW THEY LIVE. “Thanksliving” is characterized by a spirit of CONTENTMENT, as well as GENEROSITY when others are seen to be in need. Though I do not wish to speak ill of the genuine generosity of the wealthy, still it is those who might be considered “poor” who are often the first or the quickest to give to help others. They are thankful for what they have and that they have something of which they can share and so they eagerly do so. Remember the spirit among the Macedonian churches -- people whose lives were marked by “extreme poverty” ( 2 Corinthians 8:2) -- whom Paul complimented in his letter to the church at Corinth as he encouraged the Corinthians to follow through with the help they had promised for needy saints in Judea.

Reading the text we can note several things that characterized their “Thanksliving”!

“(1) We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, (2) for in a severe test of affliction, their ABUNDANCE OF JOY and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a WEALTH OF GENEROSITY on their part. (3) For THEY GAVE according to their means, as I can testify, and BEYOND THEIR MEANS, of their own FREE WILL, (4) BEGGING US EARNESTLY FOR THE FAVOR OF TAKING PART in the relief of the saints -- (5) and this, not as we expected, but they GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD and then by the will of God to us.” ( 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 ESV)

-- Abundance of JOY! Their lives were marked by JOY in living appreciative of what they possessed. Discontent takes away JOY. JOY and CHEERFULNESS ( 2 Corinthians 9:7) are to mark the giving in our life.

-- Wealth of GENEROSITY! They were ready and willing to help others in need. The wealth was not in possession but in the spirit in which the giving was done. Just like the widow to whom Jesus drew attention ( Luke 21:2-4), their little may have been more in comparison with the giving of others.

-- GAVE BEYOND their means! They lived sacrificially, generously giving out of their poverty.

-- Gave of their own FREE WILL! They did not have to be urged like the Corinthian brethren did. In fact, they may not have even been asked because of their economic situation, but they chose to give!

-- BEGGED to have a part in giving! They did not want to be left out. They had something to give and they were going to give it!

-- GAVE THEMSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD! They knew to Whom they and all they had truly belonged. Recognizing they were merely stewards of the possessions entrusted to their care, rather than hording for themselves they were ready to use them for the purposes for which they were given; benefiting more than just their own lives.

“Thanksliving”! A spirit of JOY, GENEROSITY, SACRIFICE, FREE WILL INITIATIVE, EAGERNESS TO ASSIST, and a genuine recognition that WE AND ALL WE POSSESS really belongs to God! Does any of this truly characterize our life? Recognizing that such “thanksliving” says something about our relationship to the Lord ( Matthew 25:34-40) may this spirit prevail in our life more and more.

Have a great day COMPELLED BY A GRATITUDE ATTITUDE TO SERVE OTHERS!
Carl

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