As I thought about what Thanksgiving means to me, I asked myself, What does it even mean to give thanks?

Sure, we can recite blessings around the table.

We can praise God for every gift from above.

But how do we LIVE in a way

that truly gives thanks to God?

How do we walk in Thanksgiving?

I found my answer in 2 Corinthians 9:

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Thanksgiving is more than a meal.

It’s more than listing our blessings.

It’s more than a time to give thanks.

When we are obedient with what we are given, there will be thanksgiving.

When we are generous on every occasion, there will be thanksgiving.

When we meet others’ needs, thanksgiving overflows.

Our giving gives God glory.

Our giving is the Gospel in action.

Our giving gives others a reason to praise!

That is thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving comes when

we live out the simple Gospel.

It comes from us sacrificing

our wants to meet others’ needs.

It comes from us laying down our

lives to love those around us better.

Thanksgiving comes from being purposeful with our possessions in order to praise our Provider.

Maybe you need to give more

time to family instead of work.

Maybe you need to give an

invite to a lonely neighbor.

Maybe you need to give up

your dream to meet His needs.

Maybe you need to save now

so that you can give later.

Ask God to show you WHO in your life has a need that you can help meet.

Ask Him to show you WHAT you need to give up in order to give more.

Let’s follow the model of our Giver and purposefully give thanks this holiday season.