Thanks & Giving

This Sunday, the chancel will look a little different. It will be decorated with gourds, baskets, leaves, and non-perishable food items gathered over the past few weeks. After the worship service is over, the food that has been collected will be taken to Community Ministries for the food pantry.

Photo by Kit Ishimatsu on Unsplash

In addition to answering the call to love and serve our neighbors who are hungry, this practice of donating food can also point us toward gratitude for God's provision and care. What comes to mind when you think of all that God has done for you? Martin Luther included a very robust list in his explanation of the first article of the Apostles' Creed in the Small Catechism.

He writes: "In addition, God daily and abundantly provides shoes and clothing, food and drink, house and farm, spouse and children, fields, livestock, and all property - along with nourishment for this body and life. God protects me against all danger and shields and preserves me from all evil. And all this is done out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all! For all of this I owe it to God to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true."

Gratitude often spurs us on to more acts of generosity, which in turn brings forth more gratitude. What a joyful cycle! Said another way, "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thankgivings to God." 2 Corinthians 9:11-12

A friend's congregation passed out yard signs as part of their fall stewardship program, which said, "Let our lives be filled with both thanks and giving." Indeed, gratitude and generosity both serve to enrich our lives, connect us to one another, and draw our attention back to the one who has given us life and breath and everything else. How have you experienced both gratitude and generosity in this season? 


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