It’s that time of year where we seem to evaluate our lives to momentarily stop and say, “thank you.” All the other times of year we seem to just rush on to accumulate and to add more into our lives. Thanksgiving hardly passes and we’re already starting to gather more stuff. Even Black Friday, which is traditionally after Thanksgiving is now pushing us to purchase as early as possible.
I’m struck by how easy it is for us to become materialistic and at the same time less compassionate for the least and the lost. Many assume that poverty equals laziness. People often say that if people work hard enough they can get ahead but, that doesn’t always add up. Some might even say that God blesses those that work hard enough in which I’m not sure is theologically accurate because even in His blessing many are still poor and many remain content.
I will say however, I do like the idea of more for less. It seems as though that the more thankful I am the less I seem to really need. Contentment is the opposite of accumulation. I believe that it is not what we have that defines who we are but it is in what we give that demonstrates best!
Perhaps this year we need to not just celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving but we need to commit ourselves to a way of living that is both generous and kind. As we enter into a season of giving, Let’s decide that our greatest need is actually to give and not receive, to be grateful and not greedy!
