Genuine Gratitude Generates Generosity

I’ve noticed a growing number of books and articles being written about the benefits—both spiritually and physically—of being grateful. Just outside the limelight is similar research touting how beneficial a generous spirit can be to both the giver and the recipient. It is only natural, then, that a link between the two will begin to surface. People who count their blessings are less likely to count the gifts they bestow on others. In addition to being just downright lazy, I wasn’t interested in getting to the stores at 4 AM on “black Friday” following Thanksgiving because my focus had intentionally been upon making a grateful inventory of all the things I already have, not the least of which are my beautiful wife and daughters. As I assimilated just how blessed I am by family, my thoughts turned not to all the things I want but to ways that my gratitude might find expression in gifts that represent all that they mean to me. It is fair to say that the commercialization of Christmas has distracted our attention from the great gift given to us for which we should be eternally grateful. To use the well-worn phrase, if we can manage to put the Christ back in Christmas we may find ourselves spurred by gratitude to discover that it really is more blessed to give than it is to receive.