Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday; it's a posture that flows from recognizing the abundance of God's provision. In this mini-series, we are exploring how gratitude impacts our hearts and actions. Last week, we saw how thanksgiving begins in the heart, shaping our words to build others up rather than tear them down. Today, I would like to consider how gratitude overflows into generosity. When we truly see God as the source of all we have, we can live with open hands, sharing His generosity and abundance with others.
Proverbs emphasizes the connection between generosity and trust in God's provision. The ancient Hebrew worldview, shaped by the creation narrative, saw every blessing as originating from the Creator, who entrusted humanity with His resources. This foundational theme is introduced in the Garden of Eden.
In Genesis 1–2, God provides Adam and Eve with everything they need:
A lush garden filled with abundant food.
The task of caring for and multiplying creation.
The opportunity to live in proximity with Him.
Humanity's role as stewards of creation reflects a divine pattern: God generously provides, and humans are called to receive, nurture, and share His blessings. However, the fall in Genesis 3 reveals what happens when humans grasp for more and exercise their wisdom. Adam and Eve's choice to take from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is an act of mistrust rooted in the belief that God's provision isn't enough or that He is withholding from them. In contrast, Proverbs points us back to the wisdom of trusting God and reflecting His character through generosity.
Living with open hands acknowledges that everything we have belongs to God and is entrusted to us. Generosity is more than a moral virtue—it recognizes our role as stewards of God's abundance. When we give generously, we mirror the Creator's generosity and participate in His ongoing provision for His creation.
Honoring God with Our Wealth
Proverbs 3:9-10 lays the foundation for generosity:
Proverbs 3:9–10 (NIV)
"Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
For Israel, honoring the Lord with their wealth and firstfruits is a way of expressing gratitude for God's abundance and provision. It was acknowledging God's goodness and His help. This act wasn't just symbolic; it expressed trust in God to provide for future needs.
For us, honoring God with our wealth may look like prioritizing our income so that the Lord's purposes and generosity are reflected in our finances. It could mean prioritizing our time to give ourselves opportunities to serve with open hands.
Proverbs remind us that generosity doesn't deplete us—it positions us to experience God's continued abundance.
The Paradox of Generosity
Proverbs 11:24-25 presents a surprising truth about giving:
Proverbs 11:24–25 (NIV)
"One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
The paradox of this Proverbs is that a person who gives freely gains while the person who fails to give generously becomes poor. God's wisdom is often counterintuitive to our own. Generosity fosters abundance—not necessarily in material wealth, but in relationships, joy, and peace.
Proverbs 11:25 reflects God's design for blessing: giving is not a loss but an expression of God's abundance. Open hands are the opportunity to share God's provisions with others.
Kindness to the Least of These
Proverbs 19:17 ties generosity to compassion for those in need:
Proverbs 19:17Â (NIV)
"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."
In caring for the poor, we align ourselves with God's heart for justice and mercy. Conversely, as we read in Proverbs 14:31:
Proverbs 14:31Â (NIV)
"Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God."
Proverbs portrays God as deeply concerned with the well-being of the marginalized, and He calls His people to reflect that concern in their actions.
Jesus shared this same concern for the outcast, the marginalized, and the poor. When He spoke about the Son of Man and the nations being gathered to Him, Jesus talked about a time of judgment and separation as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Matthew 25:34–40 (NIV)
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
Generosity toward the "least of these" not only blesses them but also honors God. It's as if we are lending to the Lord Himself, trusting He will reward those who give generosity.
Living with Open Hands
Proverbs challenges us to live with open hands, reflecting the generosity of our Creator. When we honor God with our resources, give freely, and care for the least of these, we participate in God's design for flourishing.
Thanksgiving is more than words or feelings—it's an active response to God's goodness. As we live generously, we not only bless others but also find ourselves drawn closer to the heart of God.
I have heard some say, "I will be generous with my resources when I have a certain amount in my bank account or when I am retired." I would challenge that statement. Generosity starts now, and it begins with what you have. If you don't practice generosity now, likely, you will not do so when you're older. Practice generosity today and do so with what you have. Is it time, talent, or resources? Be generous where you can today and begin cultivating an attitude of generosity that reflects the generosity of our Creator.
How can my GRATITUDE overflow into ACTIONS that SHARE God's abundance with OTHERS around me?
Citations:
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Resources:
SimplyRevised:Â Cultivating Generosity & Joy
SimplyRevised: Generosity
BibleProject (biblical theme video): Generosity

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