Thanks ’n Giving
Wes Wick
November … Thanksgiving. With more excitement to come in December.
What a special time of year. Such a significant time of families and friends gathering. For some a continuing reality, for others treasured memories, and sadly for some profound sadness.
People with a deep sense of gratitude often respond with unleashed generosity. Stifle the thanks, and selfishness follows close behind. Thanks and giving are definitely joined at the hip...or the wishbone.
Jesus connects these dots many times. The parable of the forgiven servant in Matthew 18 comes to mind. Instead of gratitude for his undeserved mercy and huge-debt forgiveness, he puts a choke hold on his fellow servant who owed him a much smaller debt. No gratitude, no generosity.
Jesus reminded his disciples that they had freely received, and in response He challenged them to freely give.
We’re chaplains, not therapists, but we know if we’re struggling in generosity, we need to evaluate our sense of gratitude. If we’re struggling with our gratitude, taking faith steps toward greater generosity is a good prescription.
Both Judy and I were blessed to be raised by grateful and generous parents who lived through the Great Depression. Experiencing life in that era made them more frugal, but it certainly didn’t diminish their gratitude or generosity.
We have so much to be thankful for! May gratitude to God permeate our lives and lead us on generous paths.