GENEROUS GRATITUDE

“And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep.” – II Samuel 6:13

REFERENCE:

II Samuel 6:12-15

The Ark of God once led to the death of Uzzah. However, David heard God blessed the house of Obed-Edom where the Ark was kept. David then saw that God would still keep covenant with and bless His people, Israel, through the Ark. So, with gladness, he went to bring the Ark back.

David’s excitement and gratitude to God were so much that he danced in an undignified way with all his might. His joy increased as the procession went on. His expression was vigorous, wild, and ecstatic – dancing, jumping, and leaping. If God filled his heart with gladness, he was not ashamed to show it. The most remarkable thing David did was to pause and sacrifice fatted sheep and oxen, after the procession went six steps. Imagine how many animals were sacrificed to express gratitude and appreciation to God. He spared no expense to say, “Thank You, Lord!”

The spirit of thanksgiving is a spirit of generosity. We usually take appreciation gifts to people who have been kind or helpful to us to express our gratitude. Often, the quality of gifts we give depends on the weight of the kindness or help they render to us. It is a tradition that is in every culture. Yorubas say, “Not saying thank you to someone who showed you kindness is as bad as a thief robbing them of a good deed.” What do you give to the God who delivered you from addictions, helped you in your last exams, covered your shame, dropped that case against you at work, restored an important relationship, gave you peace of mind, helps you sleep without medication, etc.? Nothing should be too much…You should ‘break bank’ for Him.

An Indian tribe used to worship the crocodile as their god. Mothers would throw their babies to the crocodiles in the river to please their god. Once, two missionaries saw a woman by the riverside carrying a sickly baby girl, and nearby, her healthy son was happily playing. They knew what she wanted to do, so they sat to tell her about Jesus and to stop her from her intention. They begged, “Don’t give your children to the river god, trust in Jesus as your Savior.” She said, “I have worshiped the river god all my life, I don’t believe your God.” They left her. They saw her a few days later with the sickly baby girl. The missionaries were troubled, realizing she gave the healthy son to the river god; “If you had to give one of your children, why didn’t you give the poor, sick baby?” She stood straight, and proudly said, “We give our best to our gods.”

This woman will shame many Christians who give what is convenient or leftovers to God. Any giving that is not characterized by sacrifice does not move God. Generous gratitude is sacrificial gratitude; it understands that God is great and greatly to be praised. It digs deeps to count God’s benefits, realizing how many they are, and then, gives to God generously and accordingly.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Psalm 50:9-15, Malachi 1:6-8, and 2 Samuel 24:24

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TO DO:

+ Mediate on the bigness and greatness of God. Think about His love, care, and sustenance. Look around your house/home, and see what God has done. Remember that He is the reason you did not lose everything – He held satan back.

Make a decision to never be casual in giving to God with gratitude, as a response to His goodness in your life.