To Know God is to Thank God: A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
Our focus this week on our Stewardship journey is “A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving.” One commentary writer says, “to make a sacrifice of thanksgiving is to hand over something of deepest value—the source of one’s life and one’s children’s lives—because one could trust and give thanks that what God has made available in the past would be offered again—and again, and again, and again.”
When we give something with a truly open hand, the receiver can easily take it and we can’t take it back. When we begrudgingly give something with a clenched fist, it is difficult for the recipient to receive the gift and equally difficult for us to let go. Sacrifice is an act of giving. Giving freely of our resources and of ourselves. Sacrifice is also about trust. Trust that God will continue to provide as we continue to be faithful in our gifts.
Consider this week the attitude of your heart in the offerings you give back to God. What sacrifices are you making to God? Are you giving out of the overflow of thanksgiving for all God has given to you? Or are you giving out of obligation or guilt? Do you give generously knowing that what we give is blessing others? Stewardship is about more than just about our money and how much we will pledge to give to support the work and ministry of Emmanuel. Stewardship walks hand in hand with gratitude. Gratitude being a feeling of thanks and appreciation for the good things in our lives.
Blessings,
Pastor Jenni
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High.” Ps. 50:14