November is our harvest thanksgiving month; a time we look back in our lives to count all the blessings God has given us. From the very beginning when God created human beings he blessed them (Gen.1:28). When Jesus gave his essential lesson to his disciples in the sermon on
the mount, he started with nine methods by which people can receive blessings of God (Matt 5:3-11).
Quite often we forget the blessings of God and concentrate on the problems of life. We are raised that way-to be problem solvers. Our harvest thanksgiving reminds us to give God our gifts with
thanksgiving in our hearts. It’s also a time to remind us to model the humility and generosity God calls us to do. John Wesley (1703-1791) urged those in connection with him to “earn all you can and save all you can, so that you can give all you can. His income reached about £1,400 ($160,000 today), yet he chose to live simply, but comfortably on just £30 while giving the rest to the communities he worked with.
Rick Warren, Pastor and author of “The Purpose Driven Church “ points out the word “give” is used 2, 285 times while “love” occurs only 733 times. This should be evidence that we will never become like Jesus Christ until we learn to give our time, talents and money generously. Generous giving is not only our obligation as Christians, but there are several benefits for a generous heart; generous giving will draw us more to God, create a life of abundance, defeat materialism, deepen our joy, define our priorities and display God’s glory.
The scriptures help us to understand the importance of generosity, they remind us of the danger of holding on tightly to what we own; unaware that selfishness often causes financial difficulties. One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty (Proverbs 11:24). Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6). God has both blessed us materially (Acts 14:17) and spiritually (Roman 5:17). Giving is a kingdom principle; it brings more blessing to the giver than to the recipient. God wants us to give because he knows how blessed we will be as we give generously to him and to others. I can assure you that God will increase our harvest as we give generously. “Now 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” (2 Corinthians 9:10).
Finally, as we continue to live in a culture that is saturated with materialism, it is important to remember that the greatest things in life are not things, our value in life has nothing to do with our valuables; true joy and contentment in this life comes from a generous heart that is rooted in Jesus Christ. Let’s, therefore, celebrate our harvest thanksgiving with a spirit of generosity-AMEN.
