How many of you have heard the saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive?" I firmly believe that, and it brings joy when someone graciously offers a gift, even something unexpected like the person ahead of you in the drive-thru paying for your coffee. These acts of kindness highlight a simple but profound truth—it's indeed fun and uplifting to receive. Yet, Jesus beautifully emphasized that it's even more blessed to give.

Understanding God's Heart

Why did Jesus prioritize giving over receiving? The answer lies in reflecting the heart of God. Scripture teaches, "For God so loved the world that He gave." Giving mirrors God's infinite love and generosity because love inherently gives. On this Thanksgiving Sunday, as we count our blessings, let's remember the link between love and gratitude—generosity flourishes from a thankful heart.

A Personal Reflection

Through my life, I battled a scarcity mindset, constantly dwelling on what I lacked rather than appreciating what I had. My goal today is to inspire a change in our mindset towards generosity and gratitude. So, let's start with a prayer.

Opening Our Hearts to Generosity

Today marks the conclusion of our series on "More Than Enough," diving into Second Corinthians chapter eight, where Paul elaborates on generosity. To provide some context, Paul, a Jew, was called to spread the gospel beyond the Jews to non-Jews, or Gentiles. This stirred tension, but Paul recognized Jesus's message was for everyone. Eventually, church leaders supported Paul's mission, emphasizing the importance of remembering the poor.

Paul encountered overwhelming generosity during his travels to Macedonia. Despite their extreme poverty, the Macedonian churches gave with overflowing joy, exemplifying Thanksgiving, not through material abundance but through rich spirit and faithfulness.

The Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset

Their mindset challenges us—how do people with so little give so much? It centers around two mindsets the Bible mentions: the purse mindset and the barn mindset. Like the purse, a scarcity mindset clings to the belief of not having enough. In contrast, the barn mindset embraces abundance, trusting that God provides more than enough. Gratitude fuels this generous heart, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:8—a blessing on our barns and work.

Embracing the Barn Mindset

Proverbs 3:9 speaks of honoring God with the firstfruits—a gesture of gratitude and trust. Returning to God the first ten percent of what we earn underlines our faith and worship. This act, known as tithing, underlines a divine promise—our barns will be overflowing when we put God first.

Breaking the Cycle of Scarcity

It might sound daunting, as I felt initially. But the process of tithing realigns our lives around God, sparking a faith-driven cycle that breaks fear's grip and nurtures abundance. Trusting God reshapes our perspective; 90% with His blessing can stretch further than 100% without.

The Macedonians as Exemplars

The Macedonians understood God's provision. Despite trials, they generously contributed, eager for the privilege to give, embodying the truth that love gives. They lived with open hands acknowledging the source of every blessing as God.

Conclusion: Love Gives

Generosity transcends money; it's woven into the fabric of everyday Thanksgiving. Paul witnessed this cycle of gratitude in the Macedonians, and Second Corinthians assures us that God will generously provide all we need. When we give, we gain boundless gratitude, fulfilling the Thanksgiving promise.

Let's choose to live with generous hearts, overflowing with gratitude this season. I invite you to join me in prayer as we thank God for His blessings and commit to living a life of open-handed generosity.