Devotion: Thankful People are Generous
Please take a moment and read the scripture from this weekend: Matthew 11:25-30
I’m not scared to admit that I frequently read a passage from the Bible and think, “What in the world is going on here??” All my life I’ve found the Bible to be over my head. When I was in first grade and was starting to read, my parents gave me a beautiful, delicate King James Version of the Bible. It was something I treasured and kept in its original box. The cover had a vivid, full-color illustration of children gathered at the feet of Jesus, and the pages crinkled when you turned them. I understood it was holy and I shouldn’t damage it in any way. I also understood that even though the words didn’t make any sense to me, it was a very special book.
Fast forward 30 years when I started doing in-depth Bible studies. I purchased a new NIV Study Bible because I knew I could understand the written style. Within the first week, I was encouraged to not only write in my Bible, but to use pen and highlighters so that I could take notes and mark things I didn’t understand or wanted to come back to and remember. I am so thankful for teachers that go out of their way to help me comprehend!
On Sunday as I was listening to the scripture reader read aloud the above verses from Matthew, I thought, “What in the world is Jesus saying?” I didn’t panic or tune out. I just kept paying attention and was grateful when Pastor Greg broke down those verses and taught them as part of his message. He explained that Jesus understood that God gave Him everything, and that God is truly the best giver of all! And not only was Jesus acknowledging that and thanking God, Jesus was also telling his disciples that since he has been given everything, he wants to pay it forward and share those blessings with others. What a perfect reminder of how to follow Jesus’ example this Thanksgiving week. Intentionally acknowledging and being thankful for the overabundance of blessings from God, being generous and finding ways to give to others, and thanking those close to me for all that they give to my life would be a great way to honor God.
Let’s pray together…
Gracious Giver of all, Thank you for loving us so much that we don’t need to be afraid to ask for more than we deserve. Help us to remember to follow the example of your perfect Son. Help us to hold our tongue when it’s unhelpful, and pour out an abundance of love. Guide us to be patient and kind. Place it on our hearts to see the needs of the world and to act as we have the ability. Remind us to be slow to anger and quick to love. Give us a spirit of humility. Pour peace over our gatherings and into our hearts. Thank you for giving us more than we deserve. Thank you for giving us your holy and precious Son. In His name we pray, Amen.
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridan’s Devotion Writing Team. She works as Sheridan’s Children’s Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God. Julie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.