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You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
– 2 Corinthians 9:11-15

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Paul is reasoning with the Corinthians why they should be abundantly and happily generous in their giving to the Christians in Jerusalem. In this passage, he’s saying that their giving will increase thanksgiving to God throughout the world.

In Romans 1, Paul says that one of the biggest broken pieces in our fallen nature is that people don’t honor him as God or give thanks to him. The way believers fight against thanklessness is through generosity. Give to as many people as possible a reason to thank God.

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Every believer in Jesus wants to see the world be more thankful to God. We want this earth to be loud in thanksgiving to its creator, the way it was meant to be. This strikes me in two ways. First, it gives me a great reason to loosen my grip on my finances and be a cheerful giver. Second, as a support-based minister, I want to be more openly and regularly grateful for the ways God has been faithful to me. Every bill I pay and gas tank I refill and meal I eat and toy I buy for my daughter is a reason to be grateful to my great Provider.

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Lord, you supply all my needs according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. If I never receive another earthly provision, you’ve still provided everything in him. But if you did not spare your Son for me, I can receive even these daily provisions as a generous and loving gift. Thank you for your grace, God, that allows me and my family to eat good food and be satisfied in our work and have days of rest. You’ve provided not only the money but also many gracious and generous people who long to see your world full with thanksgiving to you. Thank you, Lord God, for all your mercies in my life!

This post is part of my Weekly REAP series. I’m posting these from my personal journal to share what God is teaching me, and to give some practical examples of the REAP method.  I didn’t write any of these with publishing in mind, so forgive me if they don’t always wax eloquent. Here is some more information on the REAP study method.