As Thanksgiving approaches most of us will have an opportunity to unplug, evaluate and offer thanks to God for the numerous blessings in our lives without the typical interruptions which accompany our normal routines.
Yet, this familiar season of gratitude also exposes the nagging, internal struggle that wreaks havoc in the typical American heart. Though we want to grow in thankfulness, enticements toward greed often overcome us.
RELATED: Check out more articles on faith and culture from pastor Adam Dooley.
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Faux urgency, false demand
Last year, a record 183.4 million Americans lamented shopping between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday, not out of need, but due to deals that were simply too good to pass up.
The entire month of November now seemingly functions as a rolling Black Friday sale, creating faux urgency and false demand.
Long lines outside of Wal-Mart and lightening deals online turn shopping into a competitive sport with winners and losers. Even with more consumers choosing to take their business online, nefarious brawls in big box stores over merchandise evoke little more than a yawn these days.
Lost in all the mayhem is the genuine gratitude we ought to have for our numerous blessings.
Greed and appreciation always move in opposite directions. The former insists, “I deserve more than have,” while the latter recognizes, “I have more than I deserve.” Any form of materialism or covetousness is the antithesis of celebrating God’s many provisions.
You simply cannot rehearse a list of disappointments and appreciate an abundance of gifts at the same time.
‘Greed leads to ingratitude’
Focusing upon ourselves may increase the scope of our possessions, but it most certainly diminishes the health of our souls as well. Greed leads to ingratitude, which results in a lack of contentment, birthing envy of others and resentment toward God.
Always wanting more will quench any effort to worship meaningfully. What, then, is the remedy?
Not surprisingly, Jesus had much to say about using our wealth correctly.
The foundational principle that undergirds each of His instructions is straightforward: your heart will always follow your treasure (Matt. 6:21). Many argue just the opposite, insisting that we will give to what we are most passionate about. Yet, Christ corrects our modern misgivings which covertly protect our insatiable greed. Whatever you give to will become important to you.
Want a heart for God’s kingdom? Use your resources accordingly.
Are you seeking to be more loving toward others? Be generous with those in need.
Do you long to love your church more? Invest in it financially.
Growing your compassion
Looking to grow your compassion for the lost who are outside of Christ? Give sacrificially toward that end.
Wanting to count your blessings this Thanksgiving? Stop looking for what you can gain and start asking what you can give.
Generosity is the key which sets us free from the prison of greed and selfishness.
Scripture is unflinching in its commands about wealth. Christians should live with a continual awareness that all our possessions belong to the Lord, who supplies us with every treasure we enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17).
Ultimately, our security must be in our God, not the gold or goods we possess. Wealth can produce a blind, arrogant confidence if we fail to acknowledge the divine source behind our valuables. Giving thanks not only reminds us that God is real, but also that He is both active and benevolent in our lives.
Stewardship
Once we see ourselves as stewards of that which belongs to the Lord, we should seek to be rich in good works by being generous and ready to share with others (1 Tim. 6:18). Statistics indicate that Christians are by far the most charitable of all demographics, donating more money and volunteering more time, and yet, I suspect that our generosity is still lacking by God’s standards.
Again, Jesus is direct when confronting our shortsightedness, by challenging us to store up secured treasure in heaven rather than vulnerable wealth upon this earth (Matt. 6:19–20). Greed says live for today; God says live for eternity (1 Tim. 6:19).
So, how can we grow in our generosity?
First, giving should be personal for every Christian.
When writing to the church at Corinth, Paul encouraged their participation in a collection for Jerusalem Christians who were living in poverty (1 Cor. 16:1, 2 Cor. 8:1-7). Just as other churches had participated, the loving apostle expected Corinthian believers to do so as well. Likewise, today, supporting God’s work financially should be a joyful obligation instead of a begrudged option for those who know the Lord.
Second, giving should be prioritized by every Christian.
The early church not only met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), but also received offerings as well (1 Cor. 16:2a). Weekly giving greatly increases our capacity to support God’s Kingdom initiatives. Whatever amount you think you are capable of sharing, I am confident that number can grow if you set aside a portion of your weekly income.
Third, giving should be proportional for every Christian.
We offer resources as the Lord prospers us (1 Cor. 16:2b). The beauty of tithing, for example, is that a 10th of a small amount is just as much a tithe as a 10th of a larger portion. Regarding offerings, God does not expect us to bring gifts that we do not have (2 Cor. 8:12). The goal is equal sacrifice, not equal sums.
Finally, giving should be protected after it is received. Churches, for example, have a sacred responsibility to secure gifts through stringent accountability measures. The Bible calls for common sense precautions so that only what is right and honorable in the eyes of the Lord and people is acceptable (1 Cor. 16:3–4, 2 Cor. 8:20–21).
How thankful are you this year? Perhaps a better question is how generous are you with others? Who will you bless this Thanksgiving?
EDITOR’S NOTE — Dr. Adam B. Dooley is pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, and author of Hope When Life Unravels and Exalting Jesus in 1-2 Chronicles.
