“(6) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
Today, I take what we often consider a passage about giving and challenge us to think about it as a passage focused on thanksgiving. Our God is an “all” God. Unfortunately, when we read this text, we often stop at the end of verse 7. Because of this, we miss the main impetus to cheerful giving. It is true—one motivation might be that God loves cheerful givers. But giving is not focused on giving. Paul continues his letter with another reason. God gives “all grace for all of you so that in all things at all times all of you will have all that all of you need and that all of you will abound in all good works.” In verse 11, he continues in a similar vein. “You will be made rich in very way so that you can be generous on every occasion and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
It is the Thanksgiving season. This is Thanksgiving week. Will you take a moment this week to contemplate the God of “all”. He is everywhere (at all places) at all times, working in all things, supplying all riches so we have all we need (including all grace), and are thus enabled to abound in all good works. The “all” God is the God of those who recognize their blessings and richness, and respond with generosity on all occasions. And all of this is an evidence of and leads to the result of thanksgiving to God. If we live in an ungrateful society, perhaps partly to blame is our “partial” version of Christianity instead of an “all” version of Christianity. If we live in an ungrateful society where thanksgiving does not abound, perhaps the most appropriate activity this week is to begin with a healthy introspection!
“Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God….”