Thursday, November 27, 2014

“Thanks – Giving”

In a few weeks we will be celebrating “Thanksgiving.” The true meaning of thanksgiving can simply be understood by dividing the two words that make up its name. “Thanks,” meaning to be thankful for, and “Giving,” meaning that we share that which we are thankful for. In the OT when the Jew was thankful to God, he would offer back to God the best of his flock, and the best of all his increase. Therefore being thankful is a state of mind that appreciates what God has freely given to us, so that we share it with others as God shared it with us. Being thankful doesn't look at what we don't have, but rather it shares the best of what we do have.  As Christians we have been given so much in Christ Jesus. Take our salvation, we didn't earn it, or work for it, all we did was accept God’s gift that He freely shared with us. The Bible says, that God so loved us that He shared Jesus Christ with us, and God expects us to share and give to others as Christ gave. In (Luke 17: 11-19) ten lepers were cleansed from their leprosy by Jesus, and although all 10 were cleansed, only one had the true spirit of Thanks-giving. He came back and desired to give himself back to Christ. Why, because he was truly thankful! I wonder how many of us truly appreciate not only our salvation, but all that has been given to us freely in Christ. If we really did, wouldn't we be more thankful also and share not just Jesus with others, but also ourselves, and all that we have been given as well ?

“Giving Thanks Through Giving”

(2Co 9:12) "For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God."  In this  verse the Apostle Paul is teaching the Corinthian Church about the importance of giving financial help (or this service) to missionaries and others who are sharing the Word of God, because they glorify God with many thanksgivings on our behalf. (9:13) also goes on to say, "Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;" Giving to Faith Promise Missions is in itself a ministry (or ministration) of helping missionaries reach the world with the gospel. Paul calls it here an "experiment" (or way that we prove our faith and glorify God). As we celebrate another thanksgiving, we need to remember that God is the one who deserves all the thanks and glory for that we give, and for all that our giving accomplishes on mission field. When we give to FP we are not just giving money, but rather "glory" to a God that has blessed us in such a way, that he lets us help out!