Thanksgiving 2020

2 Corinthians 9:6–15

(NIV): 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 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. 12 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. 13 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. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

You may have noticed that during the holiday season (beginning with Thanksgiving and continuing through Christmas), many charitable organizations push a little harder in soliciting donations which will be distributed to those in need. Every morning I hear an ad for St Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, TN asking for donations to help research childhood cancer because “No child should die in the dawn of life.” Major department stores will often have bell rings from the Salvation Army (or COVID safe alternatives) seeking your donations. Many businesses ask you when making a purchase if you would like to “round up” for a donation. Food banks, (and blood banks) are asking you to give. A common practice on Facebook when someone has a birthday is to make a donation to the birthday boy or girl’s favorite charity. This past week a man I knew died suddenly and a “Go Fund Me” site has been started to seek donations to help his widow and two young children. And even though some ill informed people don’t think the church should ask for money, it is wise and instructive for congregations to teach its member about the value and importance of good stewardship which includes sharing our treasure with our congregation to support its mission — for this is God’s will and the only way the Gospel ministry is funded — the willing and grateful donations of its members in keeping with good, sound biblical principles.

A prime example of donations being asked of Christians to help support a mission of the church is illustrated in the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians. Here is the back story.

The Christians living in Jerusalem and the surrounding area were experiencing the effects of a long term economic down turn. It was not a sudden or temporary disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane, but the long term effects of a drought with a resulting shortage of food. We aren’t told that they were starving to death but the law of supply and demand was in effect. Food was on short supply. Costs had gone up considerably. We can only imagine what it would be like it 50% or more of our daily expenses went toward food. It is much less for us. The people of Jerusalem were in danger of becoming destitute.

News of this dilemma has spread throughout the congregations in Asia Minor. The Christians in Corinth had heard about it and decided to take action. Just as we react when we become aware of a need for money, food, volunteer labor etc. This shows compassion for others which is God pleasing. But compassion doesn’t feed the bull dog. James would at some point teach. James 2:14–17 (NIV): 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Well, the Corinthians came up with a plan. Let’s have a fund drive and when Paul and Silas come through, entrust it to their care and have them deliver these much needed monies for famine relief. As noted above, compassionate Christians still gather resources to aid others. But the problem was that the Corinthians were not following through on their plan. Things had bogged down. It would be like having a capital fund drive to pay for a major improvement at a church and have people pledge money toward it but renege on their promises when the expenses came due. Jesus warns against such lack of foresight. Luke 14:28–30 (NIV): 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

St. Paul addressed this situation by appealing to the Corinthians to make good on their promises. He employed a number of sound biblical principles to move them to actions. It wasn’t just his wise and persuasive arguments but sound teachings from God which stand for all people of all time. The Corinthians responded with faithful hearts and when Paul arrived, resources had been gathered which he did take to Jerusalem as planned.

The stewardship principles in this section certainly applied to those people for that special fund drive. I argue that the same principles apply for giving of our resources to help others even today whether it be for supporting the work of a local congregation, the ministries of our synod, researching a cure, responding to a natural disaster, or volunteering to mow the neighbor’s lawn. (Or more timely, shoved their sidewalk).

Since we are celebrating Thanksgiving at this time, I want to emphasize today Paul’s encouragement that when we help others, the expected response is that it will result in Thanksgiving. I say “expected” because the healing of the Ten Lepers reminds us that people can be ungrateful and selfish no matter how much you help them. Paul assures the Corinthians that the result of their generosity will not only help people in need but will result in them not just saying “thank you” to the people who gave the money, but to God who motivated them to will and to do according to his good pleasure.

Have you ever received help?

Necessities were in short supply and someone gave you what you needed.

Your vehicle had mechanical issues and a “shade tree” mechanic was able to you up and running and did not charge.

You were sad and someone cheered you up.

Or you received an unexpected gift.

Our trained response is to thank the person who has benefitted us. But that is not the only person whom we thank. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks to God through whom every good and perfect gift comes to us. But those gifts don’t just miraculously appear. God works through his people as our story reminds us. Jesus in his parable of the sheep and goats reminds us how important it is for his people to help others as our way of thanking him for saving us.

Conclusion: Thank God for what he has done for us through Jesus and through others. Show your thanks by being generous and in this way you will produce even more thanksgiving to God. Amen.