And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. | Colossians 3:15–17
After the service Sunday, someone mentioned to me that I had not really said too much about all of our money belonging to God. This is the idea that we are merely stewards of God’s resources, not managers of our own wealth, as we often think. While I think I did cover this (and the fact that he already knew this means it has been covered sufficiently), I also chose to spend my time on other aspects of what it means to give. One of the reasons for this is that, as I mentioned in the sermon, very few people are talked into tithing. I am sure that there are those who have been argued into the habit, but giving is much more of an emotional response than it is a logical one.
I believe that while a strong logical case for giving should exist (including my blog from yesterday), it really serves to guide those who have already been motivated to put their money where their mouth is. Or, as I put it in the sermon: it all starts with gratitude. When we are thankful, giving back to God becomes a natural response. The more that we acknowledge the blessings that God gives, the more that we will express our thanksgiving.
Like most aspects of God’s good order, gratitude is more than just a motivation to give; it is also a benefit to our health. In a Psychology Today article titled, 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude, the author gives us some of the ways that thanksgiving benefits us:
- Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
- Gratitude improves physical health.
- Gratitude improves psychological health.
- Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
- Grateful people sleep better.
- Gratitude improves self-esteem.
- Gratitude increases mental strength.
Gratitude is part of who we were created to be and draws us back into right relationship with God. With this, our lives benefit in a multitude of ways, from relationships to sleep. This may not convince a person to be thankful, but it does remind those of us who know God’s generosity that His good blesses us over and over. When we obey Him and acknowledge His grace, we are built up and sanctified toward holiness. With this, we receive benefits that we may not even recognize.
On the eve of Thanksgiving, as I look forward to a day filled with food and family, I don’t want to lose the fact that all of the good has one source:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights | James 1:17a
Along with this, He directs us to a way of living that both protects us from harm and gives us peace. We do nothing to earn or deserve this, but He gives to us out of His own loving character. As we simply acknowledge His blessings, we benefit even more. The more I reflect on how this works, the grace upon grace that flows from relationship with God, the more I think that gratitude and thanksgiving are insufficient responses. Yet I also recognize that I could never do anything to match what I have received. Rather than lamenting the lack in me, I rest in the gratitude that is given to me. This is the gift that keeps giving.