"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
— 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

In his book Journey to the Common Good, Walter Brueggemann describes gratitude as the seed of abundance. He challenges the notion that scarcity defines our lives and invites us instead to see the world through the lens of God’s generosity. This shift in perspective transforms thanksgiving from a passive feeling into an active practice, a verb that moves us toward blessing others.

Recognizing Abundance

The apostle Paul writes that God blesses us "abundantly," not so we can hoard or cling to blessings, but so that we may "abound in every good work." Gratitude begins with seeing our lives not as empty but as full of divine gifts—grace, love, and provision. Brueggemann argues that this recognition disrupts the "anxiety system" of our culture, which teaches us to compete and cling to what we have. Instead, thanksgiving opens our hearts to the abundance of God, reframing our blessings not as possessions but as resources for blessing others.

Turning Thanksgiving into Action

In Luke 17, ten lepers are healed by Jesus, but only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks (Luke 17:15-16). His gratitude is more than a word; it’s a recognition that healing flows from God and calls for response. Thanksgiving isn't just about saying "thank you"; it's about embodying gratitude by living generously. The Samaritan’s act of turning back becomes a metaphor for how gratitude can reorient our lives, directing us toward God and neighbor.

Brueggemann invites us to see gratitude (thanksgiving) as a verb—an action that propels us into the world. In the story of Israel, their deliverance from Egypt wasn’t an end in itself; it was a call to become a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:2-3). Likewise, our blessings—big or small—are not meant to terminate on us but to ripple outward and to bless the world around us, especially those who are suffering.

A Practice of Grateful Generosity

One way to cultivate this "verb" of thanksgiving is to reflect daily on how God’s blessings equip us to be blessings. Consider the following practices:

1. Name the Blessing: Each day, identify one specific way God has provided—be it through relationships, resources, or resilience in hard times.

2. Enact the Blessing: Ask yourself how this blessing can be shared. Can your abundance of time become encouragement for a lonely neighbor? Can your financial stability support someone in need? Can your thoughtfulness allow for a small gesture to lift up another? Find one concrete action—writing a note to a friend, giving money to a trusted organization, donating clothing or food items, volunteering at a church or an outreach—and do something tangible to give thanks by giving another a reason to be thankful.

3. Trust in Abundance: Release the anxiety of scarcity. Trust that in giving, you will not lack (Proverbs 11:25).

The best way to give thanks to God is to fill the thanks of another, so that they may be thankful. In other words, we must find ways to give other people reason for gratitude. Brueggemann suggests that gratitude is not natural in a world wired for greed and self-preservation. It’s countercultural and requires intentional practice. As Paul reminds us, the ultimate blessing we receive is God’s grace in Christ—grace that equips us for every good work and reminds us that love, expressed through service or giving, is not contingent upon the worthiness of the recipient, but upon the loving kindness of the giver.

We love because God first loved us.

A Call to Action

In this season of thanksgiving, let’s remember that gratitude is not only felt but lived. If It is in its living that it is made real. Reflect on this: Where have you seen God’s abundance? How can your thanksgiving overflow into someone else’s life?

May we live as conduits of blessing, turning gratitude into a verb that transforms our communities and reflects the generosity of God.

Prayer:
Generous God, you bless us abundantly so we may abound in every good work. Help us to see the fullness of your provision in our lives and to turn thanksgiving into action. Teach us to be a blessing to others, trusting in your abundant grace. Amen.