Thankful Giving.

Is thankful giving a part of your thinking? Mark Hillis demonstrates how Paul taught the Corinthian church about giving to those in need.

Thankful Therapy

Thank you for joining me in this short 3-part program titled “Thankful Therapy.”

In this first episode, we will explore how God, through His Word, encourages us to embrace giving and thankfulness—two essential therapies that remedy our outlook on life and enhance our well-being. Generosity shifts our focus from ourselves to the needs of others, while thankfulness fosters appreciation and a hopeful attitude.

In part two, we will discuss incorporating thankfulness into our prayer life, and in part three, we will examine the benefits of practicing thankfulness during life’s thorny trials.

A Letter to the Corinthian Church

I will begin by reading from the 2^nd letter of Paul to the church in Corinth:

“…I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need, and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So, two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.”

2 Corinthians 9:5-12 (NLT)

Being Thankful

How can giving cause us to be thankful?

We often express gratitude when receiving something, but not typically when giving.

Sometimes we only take thankfulness seriously during occasions like the North American holiday, Thanksgiving. Celebrated during the harvest season, after the fields are reaped and the storehouses are filled, the early settlers intended it as a time to thank God for His blessing of agricultural provision.

Being thankful is an essential attitude to foster in our lives—not just on holidays or in times of prosperity, but as a constant perspective. A thankful spirit partners with contentment and peace. When we view everything as a blessed gift from our loving Father in Heaven, we naturally develop a better outlook on life.

Godly Giving Lifts Spirits

Similarly, godly giving lifts our spirits, helps us appreciate what we have, makes us more aware of others’ needs, enhances our thankfulness to God, and translates our trust in God into calm.

In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wrote about their eagerness to give to the saints in Jerusalem who were in need. However, he wanted to ensure that their giving was genuine and for the right reasons, instructing them to self-evaluate their attitudes and intentions. The result would be praise and thanks to God.

Giving an Expression of Faith

For believers in Jesus Christ, giving is an expression of our faith in God and our love for others. It’s important to examine our hearts to understand the reasons and motivations behind our giving. Is our giving aligned with God’s will, that being His desire for us to share with others?

“For God loves a person who gives cheerfully” – this is the reference point Paul provides us for knowing if our generosity is spirit lead or of the flesh. If the prospect of giving congers within us feelings of grudging, reluctance or obligation – feelings quite the opposite of cheer, we know that our lack of willingness is born out of selfishness.

Our Selfish Nature

Our selfish nature tends to hold back, putting our own needs before others. Inherently, when we give, we do so with the intent that some means of personal gain will be the result. Let’s not make our giving out to be something it’s not. For example, sometimes we give with the thought of expecting something in return.

There may be times when we give in hopes that it will impress others, receiving recognition or praise for doing a good deed. There are cases when generosity can be used to gain control or lord over someone, expecting loyalty or compliance in return. May we be sensitive to any sinful motives we may have when we give.

Selfless Sacrifice

Godly giving is rooted in voluntary, selfless sacrifice, characterized by generosity and faith, without expecting anything in return.

Having a cheerful attitude is our point of reference to ensure our giving is genuine. Paul also offers an analogy to illustrate how giving works:

He says, “Remember the farmer,” and emphasizes the rule of multiplication that applies to farming: the farmer who sows seed generously will reap an abundant crop. Why? Because from one seed that grows, there is the guarantee of much more to come.

A single head of wheat can typically have 20–30 grains. A single wheat plant usually produces two to five heads. Therefore, the average increase from one seed to the grains produced by a single wheat plant is approximately 8,650 percent! There is no stock or bond this world has to offer where you could ever get a return like this!

Important Principle

How different would our walk of faith be if we applied this principle of natural law to our spiritual lives, recognizing that our generous acts of giving can multiply, producing abundant blessings in the lives of others?

God promises that when we give with hearts intent on honoring Him, it’s an investment that matters both now and in eternity. In verse 9, Paul references Psalm 112, which speaks of the righteous man who generously scatters gifts to those in need. His good deeds may not be recognized in this life, but they are accounted for in eternity.

Reluctance to Give

What gets in the way? What causes our reluctance to give?

A primary reason is our perspective on what we have, particularly self-preservation. This mindset leads to thoughts like, “If I give, I might not have enough for myself.” It’s a mix of not trusting God to provide for all our needs and self-interest.

Giving generously is an exercise of faith. Paul points out to the Corinthians that their confidence should lie in God’s provision. His promise is He will not only meet their needs, but the more generous they are, the more He will supply to increase their generosity.

“God will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.”

2 Corinthians 9:5

All We Have is Temporary

Our Biblical world view is based upon the truth that all we have is temporary, that this world is not our home, all that is given to us by the Lord is borrowed, not owned, and everything we have is an expression of His goodness. If giving is a struggle in our lives, it could be that we are struggling with the sin of covetousness.

Giving with a pure heart is putting the needs of others before our own and the freedom to let go of anything we have.

God oversees all we do, and He knows our hearts. If we are honest before God, and we know we are giving for the right reasons, we can trust that God will not leave us lacking.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…”

Psalm 23:1

A Chain Reaction of Giving

Paul describes the ministry of giving as a chain reaction: giving produces more generosity in others, resulting in multiple voices thanking God. When our reasons for giving are pure, glory is not given to people but to God, who is rightfully seen as the bestower of all gifts. All thanks and praise are directed to Him. Paul says two good things will be the result; the needs of others are met, and God is glorified.

This is how giving increases our thankfulness.

It’s only by climbing to higher ground that we can have a broader view of the landscape, seeing with greater clarity and receive a better perspective. When we see giving from God’s vantage point, we have even more reason to be thankful. God gives us much. Every morning the sun rises, celebrating a new day; it’s a gift, and all that comes with it. Such as, food on the table, a roof over our heads, family, work, friendships – things we easily take for granted – things many people in the world might not have.

There is something God has given the world that far surpasses the sustenance of our earthly life: the gift of salvation from eternal death.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

God’s Greatest Gift

God’s greatest gift is Jesus Christ, who suffered and died to pay the price for our sins and fulfill its penalty. This salvation is available to anyone, by grace, through faith in Jesus.

From my own experience, I can honestly say, I never understood or knew what it meant to be thankful until I received Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. It wasn’t until I repented of my sin, asked for God’s forgiveness, knowing I had nothing without Him, and became a Child of God. Only then I felt true, humble, thankfulness.

• Thankful for knowing, without a doubt, my sins are paid for, I will be with my Lord forever, safe and secure. Knowing the goodness of the riches of His grace and mercy.
• Thankful for having a purpose, in this life, and by faith knowing the plan God has for me will extend into eternity.
• Thankful for knowing that everything I receive, both materially and spiritually, is given to me according to His sovereign will, for my good and to fulfill His purposes in my life.

Seek the Lord’s Help

If you have not yet received God’s gift of eternal life, my prayer is that you seek the Lord’s help to understand the truth that Jesus died and rose from the dead for you. Despite your sin and rebellion, which are offensive to God, by grace, He still offers you deliverance.

He doesn’t give salvation grudgingly, reluctantly, nor is He obligated to do so—He gives generously in love. His will is to plant in you the seed of life, so that from you will come a harvest of blessings, giving glory and thanksgiving to God.

Which of God’s name mean to you? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.