Gratitude and Generosity

The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. —2 Corinthians 9:6

Where gratitude grows, you will generally find generosity flourishing as well. Yet generosity is a most unnatural quality if ever there was one. Today’s financial commentators often tell us what our hearts were already thinking: protect what you can because tomorrow could be all chaos.

Yet Paul expressed a surprising lack of concern for economic indicators when he advised the Corinthian church to let generosity be among the most notable expressions of their gratitude. His trust in God’s supply was so strong, he treated as a “given” the fact that the church would “be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us” (2 Cor. 9:11).

“God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having every- thing you need, you may excel in every good work” (v. 8). In all things. At all times. Even these times. Grateful people are generous people. Those who have “freely . . . received,” are motivated to “freely give” (Matt. 10:8).

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Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy ©2009 Revived Hearts Foundation

Scripture taken from The CSB