Giving is a Heart-Set

     Thanksgiving. We tend to go heavy on the thanks part. We list our thankfuls, post statuses, and buy signs to prop on the front porch that proclaim our gratefulness. But the word thanksgiving does not stop at thanks. It continues with giving. 

     Thankfulness and giving are intricately intertwined, but many people find that neither one comes naturally. Usually, Thanksgiving is focused on giving thanks. This is as it should be, but just for a moment let's turn our minds to thanks and giving.

     Christ-inspired giving always finds itself rooted in a spirit of gratitude. In such an atmosphere love permeates everything. True giving is not an obligation or a self-worth booster or a tax break. True giving is not a mindset, but a heart set.

     Have you ever wondered why, out of all the months of the year, we have two major holidays so close together? It seems like all the traveling and big meal planning and business all runs together into a giant blur of frantically trying to fulfill our responsibilities.  But maybe having Thanksgiving so near to Christmas is not an accident. Maybe it's part of a perfect plan. 

     As we spend November evaluating our blessings and looking at the vast array of gifts we have recieved from the storehouses of Heaven, we automatically become prepared for the true spirit of giving in the month of December. Giving will come more naturally if we have spent time sincerely looking at ways we've been cared for. 

     Our acceptance and amazement at God's love for us will lend itself to every gift we buy, every window we clean, every dish we bake.

     Paul wrote an encouragement to the Colossians: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17) The foundation of any offering, word or deed, should be thankfulness. It doesn't matter what our gift is. It can be as small as a smile, as large as contributing a substantial sum to a stranger's hospital bill, or as sacrificial as our time. Whatever gift has been made ours to give becomes more beautiful by passing through a thankful heart.

     Thanksgiving is important. Thankfulness incites all believers to live in a giving heart-set. Not only for November and December, but for the whole year.

     Happy Thanksgiving!