Last night I was mulling over gratitude and thankfulness. Then today I have been thinking about blessings and provision. I know this makes me sound quite deep (as though I constantly go about in a mulling state), but don’t be fooled – more often than not it is some external influence that prompts my thinking!!
Have you ever received a blessing, gift of service or other provision from someone or somewhere? Quite often you can thank an identified person or persons because they are known to you. But what happens when the source is unknown or not personal, such as an anonymous gift or tax rebate. We can be left knowing that we have been blessed, but is there anything we can do to acknowledge that blessing?
I have found the following text so helpful over the years:
… two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 2 Corinthians 9:11-14
This means:
1. I know God is a God who meets my needs as He sees appropriate
2. I should receive all service and blessings joyfully, and thank God joyfully
3. The giver was serving God (sometimes unknowingly i.e in the case of a tax rebate!)
4. God gets the glory
5. The giver, if a believer and responding to a prompting of the Holy Spirit, was obedient
6. I should pray where I can with deep affection for the source of the blessing*
*I think that Paul probably means if the source of the gift is a person (identified or not), rather than the Inland Revenue, Insurance Company etc.
Just some thoughts to take into 2014 and beyond.
