I've been selected to give the traditional thanksgiving message at our church.  I've been reflecting on the most famous passages of giving thanks in the Bible and in history.  One common theme through all of them is the idea of suffering through lack of resources.  I really don't believe the Christian life was meant to be comfortable--in the sense of financial stability.  The less I have, the more gracious and humble I am about what I do have.  The more humble and gracious I am the easier it is for me to identify--and be identified--with Christ.

I'm not saying that it's a sin to make a lot of money, or to be successful--those too can be blessings of God.  But perhaps wealth and financial success in the Christian life should be a conduit to helping others.

Sometimes I get frustrated with always having to plan so carefully to pay my bills.  It can be discouraging to work so hard and be frustrated so easily with financial burdens.  Yet my spirit yearns to give more.  Isn't this the way it should be?  Shouldn't we always be willing to give so much of what we have away that we are constantly relying on God instead of our bank accounts?  Shouldn't one of our greatest joys come from giving away that which the world values most? 

Neither should our thoughts be to the results of our giving, but rather towards obedience--the contentedness and peace that comes from knowing we've been completely obedient to the Lord.  A prayer for my life is that I always rely on God--not because I'm forced to--but because i'm giving so much away that I have to.