Attitude of Gratitude
Why are many people who are materially rich so empty inside?
On the other hand some who are poor in this world
are so full of life and love?
We love because GOD first loved us:
We give because He has given us His very best.
The attitude of gratitude is what enables you to bring forth
the fruit of the spirit from within you.
If you have a problem with giving to GOD and the work of His Kingdom, you probably haven't received from the LORD!
Imagine your friend giving you a gift.
You would say "Thank You" as you receive the gift.
One of the first things we teach our little ones is to say
'Thank You'.
Then you open up the bronze coloured wrapping paper.
You find a silver box.
You open the silver box and find a beautiful gold coloured
winter jacket!
You say to yourself, "This will surely keep my body warm this cold winter season".
Your mind goes to your friend who gave you the gift.
You contact her and thank her again for the lovely useful gift.
when you meet her you embrace her and look for an opportunity to give her a gift. Your loving relationship is being built up.
Then you remember that every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
GOD is the source Who resources you through people.
When you recognise, this you start thanking the LORD for the gift.
Your Heavenly Father knows your every need
and the desires of your heart.
It is GOD Who led your friend to purchase that particular jacket.
He guided her to that exact colour which is your favourite.
As you take time to thank your loving Heavenly Father, your heart starts filling up with the love of GOD.
Your eyes open to the ways of GOD.
By faith you see His loving hand guiding others on your behalf.
Your relationship with GOD is built up and your faith strengthened.
Only now are you completely receiving that gift
and totally benefiting by it, body, soul and spirit.
When you wore that jacket, your body benefited.
When you showed gratitude to your friend
and your relationship of love was built up,
your soul was nourished.
When you acknowledged GOD in this blessing
and were grateful to Him
Your spirit was strengthened.
Once the LORD JESUS healed ten lepers
who came to Him desperately.
JESUS asked them to go their way and show themselves to the high priest, so that he could pronounce them healed.
On their way they realised that they were healed.
While nine of them continued on their way happily,
one returned to JESUS to thank Him.
He not only received physical healing,
but also received the spiritual blessing of the love of GOD
and went with joy!
Taking the jacket and making use of it is like
just opening the bronze wrapping paper.
Showing gratitude to your friend is like
opening the silver box.
Showing gratitude to the LORD is like
going to the extent of putting on the golden jacket!
Now you are in a position to give to GOD a wholesome gift!
As your heart wells up with gratitude to GOD, your mouth opens with the offering of thanksgiving. This is the first and most important part of your offering to GOD.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116:17
As you receive GOD'S wonderful grace and forgiveness,
and your heart is filled with His love,
you are able to extend grace to others,
release forgiveness and show love.
This is the second part of your offering to GOD.
"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
"leave your gift there before the altar,
and go your way.
First be reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24
You also surrender your life to your Saviour
and give of your time, energy, skills and talents
to serve Him and live for Him.
You would desire to seek His will
and do His will each moment of your life.
This is the next part of your offering.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1
Then lastly, you bring your offering in your hand,
as money or in kind to the Church.
Such giving is a wholesome offering to the LORD
with which He is pleased.
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart,
not grudgingly or of necessity;
for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
GOD loves all people.
Some people receive GOD'S love into their hearts more than others.
One way of receiving GOD'S love is to give to GOD
a wholesome gift from your heart.
Then your heart is in a position to receive His love.
We receive gifts from the outside in.
GOD values our offerings from the inside out.
As your heart fills with His love, once again you are filled with gratitude to Him for each and every little gift of GOD...
and so the precious cycle continues...
of receiving and giving!
You don't need riches to enjoy life.
You need to develop an attitude of gratitude
to richly enjoy
every little blessing that you already have!
