Jonathan Chandler

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

2 Corinthians 9:11

Christians are commanded to give thanks. Admittedly, it is an odd command at first. Until one is given new life in Christ is seems a mockery, a chief hypocrisy, to give thanks on command. However, the new life Christ gives those who believe truly does change everything. For a follower of Christ the command to give thanks is on the same level as the command to breathe. Yes, we are commanded; but what God commands is our desire and comes as natural as taking a deep breath.

For that reason I take it for granted that every true follower of Christ wants to give thanks. What I want to do is show how generosity can be one of the greatest ways to do just that. In 2 Corinthians 9 Paul is urging the Corinthian church to give to needy Christians living in Jerusalem. Toward the end of his request he tells the church that their monetary gift will “produce thanksgiving to God.” In that phrase we see that generosity has a double effect when it comes to giving thanks.

On the one hand, my gift itself is an expression of thanks. One of the clearest ways we express gratitude and admiration is by sharing with others. When I find a new song, a new book, or a new food that I enjoy, and am thus thankful for, I aim to share it with others. Eagerness for others to share in something speaks volumes of ones appreciation. My gifts serve much the same way. When I give money, time,  or any material possession I am sharing with others what I am thankful for. And so my act of generosity is an offering of thanks in and of itself.

On the other hand, my gift has the potential to produce thanks in someone else. That is what Paul is getting at in 2 Cor. 9:11. When my gift is received it will produce thanks in another. Here is how Paul sees it playing out. Say I give one-hundred dollars to my friend Bill who needs groceries. When Bill receives my gift his first thought should be, ‘God, thank you for blessing Jonathan with the money and willingness to be generous.’ Do you see what just happened. My offering of thanks was doubled. Now there are two people thanking God–one through the act of generosity and the other through the act of receiving. In that way generosity can produce thanksgiving.

When you are compelled to give thanks do not pass over generosity. If God blesses you with a job, an unexpected gift, or a good return on an investment, give and be generous. Your generosity has the potential to double the thanks given to God.