Thanksgiving and Generosity

 

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:10-15 ESV).

 

While we were traveling last week we stopped at a motel along the way. We have stayed there a time or two in the past. We chose it because it was about the right distance from Gatlinburg making our second day of travel a bit easier. However, two of the other necessities were that it be a pet-friendly motel and that it be close to a restaurant to get dinner upon our arrival. The one we chose had a Cracker Barrel literally across the parking lot. Mary and I decided to order a takeout meal and as I got out of the car to run in and get it I was met at the car door by a man named “James.” He politely approached me and asked if I could buy him a meal. My response to folks who are hungry is usually the same. I invited him to follow me into the restaurant and we would order his meal and I would pay for it directly to the restaurant. He was very grateful.

 

After placing the order with one of the staff, I heard an interesting remark. The staff member directed his remarks to the hungry man as he said, “We can’t be doing this all the time. You can’t be approaching people when they get out of their car asking for food all the time.” I was a bit confused and irked. James apologized to both the staff member and me for the inconvenience; and, I wondered if this wasn’t one of those times when I got to “entertain angels unaware.” When James’ food was brought out, he said to me, “Have a blessed day.” I returned the salutation to him and he left.

 

In today’s passage the apostle Paul adds another important dimension to gratitude. A powerful preacher like the apostle goes beyond the need for the right words or proclamations. He challenges the Corinthian church to view their generosity as a natural extension of their daily Christian witness. The apostle shows how God can use their monetary gifts for fellow believers to help others discover the gift of God’s grace and prompt them to give thanks for Christ as well. He also points out that such Godly generosity comes as a response to God’s gift of salvation. I hope we will remember, especially this month, that our actions often speak louder than words.