“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:12
Paul had been encouraging generosity in giving to the needs of others. AS a person gives to someone, God in turn gives to meet the needs of the one who gave. Doing this type of giving does two different things: it meets the needs of others, and it brings many thanks to God.
It is easy how giving can supply for the needs of others. The main reason for giving is to provide something for someone that the person cannot provide for himself. It can be simple things, such has a cup of hot coffee or a ride, to great things such as a vehicle.
The thanksgiving behind the giving is not so easily seen. Not every time a person gives, does the person receive thanks for it. The thanksgiving that Paul is talking about is not to the individual who gave it but to God.
Believers are praying to God for a need to be met. When another believer hears God and provides for that need, the one supplied will give thanks to God for meeting that need. It is God who gets the credit, not the giver. God will then meet the needs of the giver.
Along with giving thanks to God, often people will tell others how God met the need. They in turn will give thanks to God for meeting that need. The amount of thanks to God continues to grow more and more. God receives more praise.
When God opens an opportunity to give to someone, give thanks to Him for the opportunity, give thanks for the person’s need being met, and give thanks for God’s generosity to you and the other person. Do not hold back on your giving of thanks to God. He is the One who provides for every one in everything that they may need.
I pray today that you will find ways to thank God for His provision in your life; that you will thank God for His provision for others; that God will use you to meet the need of others; and that God will be glorified in both the giving and the receiving.
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