Human nature is strange. The less we have the more grateful and generous we tend to be. You would think that being wealthy and having many possessions, one would realize how much there is to be thankful for and would be willing to share with others. But, as we saw in the previous post, it was the poor widow who gave all she had, versus the large sums given by the well to do, who would never miss their gift. The poor are more likely to look to God for their provisions and the wealthy to their riches. When we assume charge, the fear of loss plays a major role in how much we keep for ourselves, but when we submit all to God’s control, we are free to give liberally.
In the early church the same thing happened. For example, the Macedonian churches, though very poor, freely and sacrificially gave a substantial gift for Paul to take to the poor, struggling mother church in Jerusalem. With the wealthier Corinthian church, however, it was more like pulling teeth! Paul had to cajole and almost embarrass them to be sure they would have their gift prepared by the time he planned to visit them.
When the first day of public Thanksgiving was declared in October of 1621 by Governor William Bradford, the Pilgrims had been through their first winter at Plymouth – a devastating trial of deadly sickness and near starvation. Almost half of the settlers died in the ordeal. Yet it drove them deeper into trusting the Lord, both publicly and privately, and in renouncing their sins and lack of faith.
God mercifully responded and taught the Pilgrims how to survive in the New World through the help of friendly Native Americans, and He gave them an abundant harvest the following fall. The purpose of the special day was to share their abundance with their new friends and to honor God as the one who had faithfully provided for them.
This year when you celebrate Thanksgiving, I encourage you to count your blessings. They, undoubtedly will be much greater than you think. And let us learn from our nation’s founders the lesson that even our trials God is able to use to bless us.
Let us learn, similarly, from Joseph who was so badly abused by his brothers and sold by them into slavery. Yet, years later when he had the opportunity to take revenge against them, forgave them instead, recognizing that God had the amazing and miraculous ability to take even the sinful actions of others and use them to accomplish His purposes. As he said to them, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
The way we respond to trials tells a great deal about how much we trust the Lord and how grateful we are to Him. “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). That includes thanking Him for what He’s going to do through the trials.
Finally, be sure to check your giving quotient. If you are truly thankful, it will be reflected proportionately in the level of your generosity.
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