A Thanksgiving Prayer & Hillarious Generosity

November 19, 2005

Author: Rev. Kip B. Banks

“The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up in his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.“ (2 Corinthians 9:6,7)

Greetings!

Thanksgiving is less than a week away and today's devotion is a short Thanksgiving prayer taken from W.E.B. DuBois' Prayers for Dark People and words about the law of "Hilarious Generosity."

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Give us thankful hearts, O God, in this season on Thy Thanksgiving. May we be thankful for health and strength, for sun and rain and peace. Let us seize the day and the opportunity and strive for that greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments but by its possibilities, and let us ever remember that true gratitude and appreciation show itself neither in independence nor satisfaction but passes the gift joyfully on in larger and better from. Such gratitude grant us, O Lord. Amen.

"Hilarious Generosity"

The above prayer reminds us that true gratitude passes the gift "joyfully" on in larger and better form. This reminds us of the law of hilarious giving. Indeed, the Apostle Paul said that the Lord "loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:6)

The word translated cheerful in most English Bibles literally means "hilarious." It carries the idea of one who is uproariously delighted to give. Not grudgingly, like some sort of scourge or miser, but freely and openly and happily. It's the absolute opposite of one who gives to God because someone else is giving and it would reflect poorly on him if he didn't give.

The hilarious giver remembers that Christ was infinitely rich yet for our sake became poor, laying aside the glory He had with the Father. God does not promise to solve all our problems, but He does promise to supply all our needs. The Bible assures us that "God will meet all you needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus." (Philip 4:19) And, with our needs met, what more can we ask, and what more can we do than to give to him in return.

Keep in mind these practical perspectives for hilarious givers:

Don't talk yourself out of giving - Whenever you have a good opportunity to give, take it. In fact, look for opportunities to give generously, and live with eager anticipation of how God will use you to bless others and please Him.

Take money seriously, but not too seriously - As Proverbs cautions, "Don't wear yourself out to get rich." (Proverbs 23:4) Money is important, but it isn't everything, and it can't buy true satisfaction. If you take money too seriously it can cloud your judgment and alter your motives. The generous giver remembers that money is a means to an end, not the end itself.

Give with a smile, not a cringe - When one gives with hilarious generosity, it's only natural to smile. After all, God's desire is not that we go through life simply collecting things and holding on to them. Instead, He wants us to give and give and give, just as He Himself does!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastor Kip Banks