Are Thankfulness and Generosity key to a Blessed Life?

[St. SteVen]

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True, or false? Let's discuss.

]

 

[Deborah_]

True, to an extent - an attitude of thankfulness is definitely good for one's mental health. But if you're expecting some kind of quick return for your generosity (as is taught by some prosperity gospel preachers) you may be disappointed - Jesus said that we may well not get our reward until after the resurrection (Luke 14:14)!

 

[Randy Kluth]

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True or fa;se? Let's discuss.

I personally think that's very true. To be thankful is to assume the proper relationship of created to the Creator, to not act entitled but to be truly grateful to have a good Creator. It is choosing to be like Him in His goodness because He is joyful in His generosity, not stingy, not vengeful, but generous in kindness and mercy.

It is always blessed to be aligned with the lawfulness God has required of His people. To please the Creator is to open the door to His love. What could be more blessed?

 

[St. SteVen]

I personally think that's very true. To be thankful is to assume the proper relationship of created to the Creator, to not act entitled but to be truly grateful to have a good Creator. It is choosing to be like Him in His goodness because He is joyful in His generosity, not stingy, not vengeful, but generous in kindness and mercy.

Agree.
Reminded me of this scripture.
"17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” - vs 17-18 (see below)

Luke 17:11-19 NIV
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance
13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”
19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

]

 

[Bob Estey]

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True or fa;se? Let's discuss.

]

We've been given two commandments from which all the others stem, to love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40). I think being thankful and generous would be included in that.

 

[Episkopos]

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True or fa;se? Let's discuss.

]

Amen. Freely you have received...freely give. God loves a cheerful giver. Giving thanks now leads to an eternal giving of thanks.

 

[Laurina]

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True or fa;se? Let's discuss.

]

Enter His gates with thanksgiving...

 

[St. SteVen]

New topic:

Does the Bible contradict itself? - Reader Poll (and discussion)

[

 

[St. SteVen]

From the OP.

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True, or false? Let's discuss.

]

 

[Ritajanice]

Depends what you mean by a blessed life?

By thanksgiving for what we have,

and being generous with our means, which means what?

 

[Behold]

We align ourselves with an outpouring of blessings,
when we are thankful for what we have,
and when we are generous with our means,
using them to benefit others.

True, or false? Let's discuss.

]

Lets look at your concept like this...

If a SINNER< who is not Born again.......who does not belong to God's Family of Born again "Sons/Daughters",.. then if this Christ Rejector, is a person who tries to live a moral life, and a generous to others life, tho their Life is not a part of God's Family.... will the have a blessed life on earth?

A.) Not if the Devil can help it.

B.) These unbelievers are under God's Wrath.... John 3:36.. and there is no Heavenly Blessing found there.

 

[St. SteVen]

Depends what you mean by a blessed life?

By thanksgiving for what we have,

and being generous with our means, which means what?

Good questions.

A blessed life is one where we are experiencing God's favor.
Doors open for us and circumstances turn in our favor.

I think we short-circuit the outpouring of blessings God has for us when we have
an attitude of entitlement. God's blessings should be received with gratitude.

We should also view the outpouring of blessings toward us as an opportunity
to bless others through our generosity. There is an ebb and flow.

A previous Pastor of mine put it this way. "We give to get, to give to get, to give..."

[

 

[Behold]

A blessed life is one where we are experiencing God's favor.

"God's Favor" is on HIS Children, the "Sons-Daughters" of God : = the Bride of Christ.
Unbelievers are not this, so, there is no "Favor of God on them".

However, God is good to everyone, as God is Love, but, that is not the same as God's Favor that is poured out from God's "Riches in Glory" upon the BORN AGAIN.

 

[Ritajanice]

Good questions.

A blessed life is one where we are experiencing God's favor.
Doors open for us and circumstances turn in our favor.

I think we short-circuit the outpouring of blessings God has for us when we have
an attitude of entitlement. God's blessings should be received with gratitude.

We should also view the outpouring of blessings toward us as an opportunity
to bless others through our generosity. There is an ebb and flow.

A previous Pastor of mine put it this way. "We give to get, to give to get, to give..."

[

Good questions.

A blessed life is one where we are experiencing God's favor.
Doors open for us and circumstances turn in our

Not all of the time we don’t, I’ve been through some hardcore trials and tribulations...because of God’s gift of faith, when he brought me into his Spirit kingdom on earth,...I walk in faith, knowing in my heart, that he is right there with me, enabling me to carry on in his strength.

My life is Blessed because I am Born Again @St. SteVen .Born Of The Spirit,

Which is the biggest Honour and Privilege one will ever receive in this life.

I think we short-circuit the outpouring of blessings God has for us when we have
an attitude of entitlement. God's blessings should be received with gratitude.

Ok, thanks for sharing.

We should also view the outpouring of blessings toward us as an opportunity
to bless others through our generosity. There is an ebb and flow.

A previous Pastor of mine put it this way. "We give to get, to give to get, to give..."

[

Ok, thanks again for sharing that.

 

[Lambano]

I thought Jesus said to give without expecting something in return (Luke 6:35).

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
Good questions.
A blessed life is one where we are experiencing God's favor.

Not all of the time we don’t, I’ve been through some hardcore trials and tribulations...because of God’s gift of faith, when he brought me into his Spirit kingdom on earth,...I walk in faith, knowing in my heart, that he is right there with me, enabling me to carry on in his strength.

Yes, of course. I'm not referring to a trouble-free life, but rather a life of victory over circumstances.
And more importunately, the spiritual eyes to see that God may be calling us to change, RATHER than changing our circumstances.

Why pray for God to CHANGE your circumstances instead of CHANGING you?

The focus of this topic is to address the importance of thankfulness and generosity.
Personally, I struggle more with the latter than the former.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

I thought Jesus said to give without expecting something in return (Luke 6:35).

Agree.
But what if we do? Then what?

[

 

[Ritajanice]

I struggle more with the latter than the former.

I have always been a generous person, even as a non believer.

My generosity, has led many so called friends to take advantage.

God is showing me, he loves generosity, ..but, I don’t believe he wants our generosity to be taken advantage of.imo.

 

[St. SteVen]

I have always been a generous person, even as a non believer.

My generosity, has led many so called friends to take advantage.

God is showing me, he loves generosity, ..but, I don’t believe he wants our generosity to be taken advantage of.imo.

The flip side of that coin is those who refuse to accept generosity.
I believe a blessing comes to a generous person when their gifts are accepted.
But if we refuse their generosity they lose the potential blessing.

[

 

[Lambano]

Agree.
But what if we do? Then what?

[

Are we giving expecting to receive a blessing?