Go Beyond Giving Thanks

Go ahead, count your blessings and give thanks this week.  Really… do that.  Be sure that you are praising God, knowing that “every perfect gift is from above” James 1:17.  He deserves all credit, if you don’t understand that, you won’t understand the purpose of life.  Displaying gratitude is a great practice, but let’s be honest, it’s really easy to do and all too often it can keep us focused on ourselves and what we have. We may nod our heads at God but then go right on shoveling mashed potatoes into our faces. How about getting more serious this year?

Don’t stop at being thankful for what you have.  Take inventory of your blessings and then give them away. Yes, that’s right, give them away. 

Many of us women go through cycles of downsizing and “purging” of what we own.  This is good, but why do we participate in this cycle at all?  We give, but then we take stuff up again.  If we were to look at how Christ dealt with possessions we would see a shocking lifestyle!  He depended fully on his Father to provide for him as he traveled and went seeking and saving the lost.  Jesus never worried about how his needs would be met but they were.

Jesus didn’t even have a place to call home during his ministry.  “And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Luke 9:58.  He was constantly surrounded by crowds whom he ministered to, often sharing what he had available like fish and bread (Matt. 14:13-21).  Jesus also walked the grain fields with his disciples where they found lunch “and His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.” Matt. 12:1.  This was only done by those who did not have enough food of their own to eat.  By the time Jesus died on the cross his only possessions were the clothes on his back and even those were divided up and taken away.

We need to do a better job at looking like Jesus in this area.  We may not sell our homes and walk the fields for dinner, but come on, we aren’t even in the ballpark of Christ-likeness here.  So time to go beyond the “thanks” and get serious about the “giving”. You may find yourself parting with material possessions like jewelry, clothing, collections, hobby items, a vehicle, or even careers.  What you do keep, you need to share and use for the glory of God.  Your home should be a ministry outpost, where people gather to be fed from your pantry and the Word of God.  You could become foster parents, host Bible studies or house those in need.  Or, God may call you to look very much like Jesus and sell everything and trust him in mission work.

This sharing and giving holds true for all areas of life, so don’t neglect a full inventory.  Share your skills in order to share Christ.  Use your time pouring out love and help onto others as you share biblical knowledge, encouragement and exhortation.  Don’t accumulate financial abundance; use your money for Kingdom building, locally and worldwide.  Reach the end of your life like Christ, with nothing earthly clinging to you, having given all away for the sake of his name. 

Finally, I encourage you to give up the blessings that usually top every list: family and friends.  You need to give them to God.  Entrust them to his care at all times.  You do this by praying for them daily, sharing God’s Word and by understanding that he has full authority over their lives.  Lovingly push all those who are precious to you toward Jesus. 

Ladies, we need to reflect the generous quality of our God and give freely of all we have been blessed with.  Praise God as you count your blessings this year, but don’t stop with an inventory, continue to worship him in how you use every single thing he gives you. Focus on growing rich in Christ as you praise him with open hands, allowing the blessings to flow through.
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“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:24, 25.