A Message from Pastor Toby
“Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded nor
trust in uncertain riches but in the Living God who giveth us richly all
things to enjoy. that they do good that they be rich and good works ready
to distribute willing to communicate.” 1 Timothy 6:17-18
This is the season on our calendar when we “count our blessings,” and give gifts to others. The heart of gratitude rests on both God’s generosity and my unworthiness. The original season of pilgrim Thanksgiving, later followed by a proclamations of national Thanksgiving, all speak the emphasis that God has been better to us, our fate would have been so much worse. So we say as our hymn of Thanksgiving, “Now thank we all our….and your many blessings.” With hearts filled with gratitude, and in that very spirit, we extend our generosity to the people in our lives. We may not have as much to give one may wish, but we all have something we can give someone.
We are truly privileged to participate in this holiday of giving! For it must mean two things. First, we have something we can give, which is truly better than having nothing at all to give. Remember, we are counting our blessings!
Second, giving gifts also indicates there is someone in our lives to which we can give to. Whether we give gifts to those that are close companions, or we give gifts to those whom we do not personally know, but perhaps have less than us, we fulfill the above Scripture when we give. To live the words of Jesus, “it is more blessed to give than to receive,” entails we not only have received something we can give away, but also there is another person that we can bless to receive from us experiencing the promise of joy our Lord guarantees.
Finally, in the season of gratitude and generosity, let us not forget that the Father
counted the cost of sending his Son to rescue us from our sin. Thanks be unto
God for his unspeakable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15