This month is a good opportunity to give thanks to God for life, what we are, what we will become, all that we have, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, our home and our family, as well as for the material things that He allows us to obtain. Above all, we should give thanks for the wonderful love of God that invites us to be fair, holy, and supportive so that we can later live eternally in His house. There is where there is no difference within the people or the language that they speak, where we all enjoy the equal love of the Father God.
While there are wars in the world, we are going to share a small banquet at our table. Let us not be indifferent to the injustices that are committed in the world. Let us be attentive and be in solidarity with those who do not enjoy the same privileges as us, and let us be capable of being light in the midst of so much darkness.
Thank you all for your friendship, love, and affection; having you in my life is a true blessing. I will always be grateful for your love, and may God give me grace and wisdom not to let you down.
The Cheerful Giver
The point is this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. The ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)
After reading this writing by Paul, we see what a person who is grateful to God must be like. We are not really giving Him something because He needs it, but we give in gratitude and in demonstration of our dependence on Him. That is what we do in the tithes and offerings that we put in the offering plate; we give back to God of what He has given us.
As Paul says: “Rejoice! Let everyone know you as kind people.” (Philippians 4:4)
Gratitude must be in everything we do and enjoy, starting with our life of prayer. It’s not about just asking without recognizing the greatness of God. We should take time to thank him for everything we receive as we begin our day and when our day ends. Throughout the day, acknowledge and be grateful for all the beautiful things that we take for granted; our home, our jobs, our family, the air, the water, the sun, the trees, the birds chirping, and so many other things that we take for granted, walking blindly without enjoying the fullness of the life that God has given us.
“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
Let us reflect deeply and begin to be grateful to God in an intentional and mindful manner. Amen.