Thanksgiving: It’s Personal

In God’s economy, there are givers and receivers. All thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude that flows from those who receive to the one who gives. Thanksgiving is not a generic gratitude practice but a personal expression from receiver back to giver.

In God’s economy, God is always the ultimate giver. There are no self-made women or men. God gives every good gift (James 1:17), he provides all our needs (Phil 4:19), and he gives us the ability to generate wealth (Deut 8:18). Every one of us—no matter our wealth, talents, or perceived independence—is a receiver. We all have reason to express thanks to God personally.

God gave his ancient people two feasts to celebrate his material provision: The Feast of Firstfruits near Passover and the Feast of Weeks (also called Pentecost). God invites us to stop and thank him for the ways he has provided for our physical needs, our daily bread.

At VOCA, we celebrate 10 years of serving thousands, delivering the transforming power of God’s wisdom to life at work. I keep reflecting on the dozens of individuals who have supported financially over these years of fruitful work.

We thank our donors, AND we thank God, because in his economy, he is the provider and the supplier behind it all.

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

––2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Chip

Chief Solutions Officer & President of VOCA

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